Miles Away
Lebanon, TN
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Joined: 04/01/2008
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I have a B&W Turnover Ball gooseneck hitch in the truck (I also pull horse trailers)and a Colibert gooseneck adapter on my fiver. I'm looking to change to a 5th wheel hitch and the B&W seemed to be the obvious choice. I recently learned that B&W has experienced problems with their u-bolts galling under the requuired 80 lbs torque. Colibert makes a 5th wheel hitch called the Freeride for the B&W Turnover Ball. Does anyone out there have any experience with the Colibert? How do you like it?
Miles & Margie  On the road again!
2007 GMC 3500-SRW-Duramax-longbed-4X4
2005 COUGAR 5th wheel
2002 SUNDOWNER gooseneck horse trailer
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Tweetys
South Texas
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Joined: 04/25/2007
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I would look at the companion if I were you. The colibert has a lot smaller footprint than the companion, and the quality, in my opinion is not near as good. The B&W has a wider footprint to sit down on, or partly on your frame rails of your truck, making for a much safer pull. The companion Does have a problem with the u bolts galling, B&W knows this, that is a fact. But, you can call B&W, and they will send you spares, usually at no charge, if you ask nicely. They experimented with lock washers during research and development, but they did not deem them safe enough, they liked to back off, so they went with the nylon inserts. When you install and remove them enough, they will gall, and sometimes break. I broke 2 in the same day one time.
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just me
Salt Lake City Utah USA
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Joined: 10/30/2003
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There was a problem with the B&W hitching mechanism. I have photos of the area but can't post on these forums. There is a pin that is spot welded to a arm that controls the jaw. a closing spring is attached to this pin, and frailer of the weld on that pin is the problem, thus the jaw won't lock if this breaks. I don't know if this has been corrected by B&W.
I have the free ride hitch by Colibert and if you install it correct and tighten all the bolt as instructed it works great.
I feel that it could use a larger foot print to.
95 Dodge CC #5 TST plate Flame Red/Silver
not totaly stock
2007 fiver
Tag Ma-haul [has been suggested for a name]
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Dark Green HD Dmax
Central Tx
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Joined: 05/13/2005
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Huh? I never seen the Free Ride system, only the B&W. Well...Putnam Hitch makes something along the same lines as the Free Ride too. My problem was that i already had a Drawtite remov-a-ball GN in my truck bed & none of these systems would "mate up" to my GN...so i made my own. I've been using it for 2 years & it's been rock soild!
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fpresto
Maryland
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Joined: 08/01/2007
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just me
Could you be a little more specific? I have been using the same Companion since 2001 over thousands of miles with no issues. I would like to check the weld you are talking about but am having difficulty finding it.
USN Retired
2007 Cedar Creek 30 RLSTS
2008 F350, DRW, V-10, B&W hitch,
Pressure Pro, JT Strongarms
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just me
Salt Lake City Utah USA
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Joined: 10/30/2003
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fpresto wrote:just me
Could you be a little more specific? I have been using the same Companion since 2001 over thousands of miles with no issues. I would like to check the weld you are talking about but am having difficulty finding it.
My apologies to all the B&W owners that have read this post. I got brands of hitches mixed up. The B&W's are not the one with the weld problem. The super glides are the ones.
I just need to get my facts straight before I make a bigger ^*^ out of my self. Sorry.
icrawlbacktomyholenow.
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retired4fun
Northern Colo
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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I have the Companion and it is an awesome hitch! I personally would mess with any of the "wanna be's"
"03" GMC D/A
"04" Snowriver 9/6
"06" Bighorn 3055RL
"06" Polaris 800 EFI
"08" Polaris Ranger RZR
aka chopperbill
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