sdagro
Independence,LA
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Joined: 01/21/2006
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Anyone out there with a B&W 5th Wheel Companion? This is my story. Bought a new truck in Dec''08 and dealer had the hitch put in. No manual given. Been working fine. Yesterday I decided to email the manufacturer to get the 2 page manual to find the lubrication points. As I was reading the removal/replace section, I discovered my hitch didn't look like the one in the pics. Diagram shows/says the RV post when installed correct should have 1/4-1" gap between the top of the rv post and the hitch base where the draw down screw goes. Mine is flush up against the rv post. Also says that when base is installed correctly the pull pen in the tire well should not dis-engage. Mine does. Could the installer have used the wrong hole on the rv post and thats whats making it ride too high?? Just trying to figure it out without removing the entire hitch. I know its pretty simple, but I am mechanically challenged to say the least. I await someones speedy reply. We are leaving on a weekend trip tomorrow evening.
Steve A. Dagro
P.S. I have logged 6 trips and some 3200 miles with no problems. But now I know about the problem and paranoid. Am I over-reacting?? To many things can go wrong that you can't control, I hate to do some bonehead thing and do major damage.
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bigRazor
Pelham, NH
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Joined: 06/04/2003
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I think they didn't install the 5th wheel in correctly. They probably didn't push the post down enough and lock the sliding pin in. Once that is done, you'll have that space you're expecting. I wouldn't tow until you can do so. I suspect a real good bump could lift the hitch right up out of the turnover ball part.
2003 Chevy 3500 LT Ext Cab D/A - B&W Turnover ball w/5th wheel companion, Prodigy
2007 Wildcat 32QBBS
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jdj59d
Montgomery City, Missouri
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Joined: 07/23/2005
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There are two holes in the stub that goes into the "gooseneck" hitch. There is a hole for normal applications and a hole for applications with a thick bedliner. Yours is probably in the hole made for the bedliner. Loosen the u-bolts and the 1/2 tensioning bolt pull the pin out of the side and push the stub in 2-3 inches. Drop the pin back on the stub and pull up on it until the pin goes through the stub. If you have some gap in there like you desire retighten and you are good to go.
If that fails call B & W. I am a dealer and have called them several times with installation problems, they are always helpful and nice.
Josh, Sara, and Cora(3 Years Old)
2002 Ford F350, SB/CC, 4WD, PSD/4R100, 3.73 LS, SCMT , B & W Turnover Ball w/Companion, Tekonsha Sentinel
1998 Fleetwood Wilderness 27 5J
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rdam
Lake City, Florida
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Joined: 07/07/2004
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Take it out and start from scratch.
1. Post goes in with threaded hole towards cab. Without plastic bedliner, drop the post in till it bottoms out and engage the latch pin.
2. Place the base over the post with the u-bolts wrapped loosely around the post. Thread the draw down bolt into the post passing through the base and square up the base with the bed.
3. Tighten the draw down bolt to 40 foot pounds. Borrow a torque wrench if you neeed to. At 40 pounds you should get the 1/4" to 1" gap.
4. Tighten the u-bolts to 80 foot pounds.
5. The latch should NOT be able to disengage at this point.
This is a summary from my owners manual. The unit is well designed and proven over many years. But it does need to be installed correctly. The above steps should take 15 minutes tops.
2006 Weekend Warrior LE 3505
2004 Ford F-250 Supercab 6.0L Diesel/Auto
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sdagro
Independence,LA
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Joined: 01/21/2006
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I had to leave for a while and when I returned all my questions were answered. Thanks a million guys. I CAN DO THIS. If the installer had given me the directions/manual in the first place, I wouldn't have traveled over 3000 miles with the hitch installed wrong. I'll have tell the DW that truly must be living right. Especially with the bumpy road we have in La. I-55 is horrible. Again guys...THANK YOU!!!! Steve A. Dagro
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AngeloPD
San Angelo TX
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Joined: 07/08/2008
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Sounds like you got it taken care of, I have a B&W and use it for my 5er and gooseneck. Really like it, looks good, works well, and is extremely well built.
2008 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 Cummins Turbo Diesel
2008 Sandpiper 335QBQ
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jdj59d
Montgomery City, Missouri
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Joined: 07/23/2005
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btw- the manuals are available for download @ www.turnoverball.com
Go to installation instructions.
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rdam
Lake City, Florida
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Joined: 07/07/2004
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You know, the fact that the hitch performed well and didn't fail as installed is a testament to the quality and durability of the unit. I'm impressed.
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