B/W Companion 5er hitch

[ralbert]

Can anyone comment on this 5th wheel hitch made by B&W. I have a Lance camper and I just bought a 32' 5er so I am looking into a new hitch. This looks great on paper but it would be nice to hear from people who have been towing with them. The web address is www.turnoverball.com. Gooseneck hitch has 30,000 GTW and 5th has 18,000 GVW. Look forward to reading what owners think and how they like or dislike the hitch. Thanks Rob

 

[RustyJC]

Let me suggest that you do a search for "B&W" or "turnoverball". There have been a lot of threads discussing this hitch, and there's much good information already available. Here's the most recent - the B&W is discussed a few posts down.



Rusty

 

[Jetson]

If you are looking to have your bed free of rails when the hitch is removed, you should also consider the Valley Industries underbed 5th wheel hitch. I have had one a little over a year. You can also buy a gooseneck adapter for it.



http://www.valleyorders.com/Public/Applications/Default.htm



http://www.torklift.com/063.htm

 

[ramcam6]

Like my hitch

I'm running the B&W Companion 5'er hitch with the turnover ball. I've been very happy with it. I used to run a medium extended pin box but no longer. I also used to use a gooseneck conversion, but both provided too much leverage and the framework was stressed. My problems are cured with the B&W set-up. I pull from Wyo to Az twice a year and other places with a 3610 Jayco which is quite heavy. I think the only thing that would beat a B&W would be an air ride, however they are very expensive.

 

[machterhof]

I've had mine for a couple of months now and I like it. Works as advertised and no holes in the frame.



I'm pulling a '97 Wilderness that wieghs in right at 10,000.



Easy to put in and take out.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Interesting stuff. Like mensioned before their is much info on the B&W hitch on this site, but very little on the companion 5th wheel. I don't have a 5th wheel camper yet, but hope to some day. So I am also interested in knowing.



One this I have wondered is with a bed liner if the movement in the hitch would cause the legs of the reciever to wear through the bed liner?

 

[lschultz]

We(wife) are considering getting a 5th wheel shortly and I am probably going to get one of those B/W Hitches. Been reading quite a bit about them lately.

 

[machterhof]

If installed properly, I don't think you will see any wear through the bed liner.



I have a LineX and the companion has rubber pads under the legs and have seen no wear what-so-ever. You just have to make sure you follow the directions when installing the hitch. One of the things you have to do is torque a bolt down after you put it in the hole and insert the pin. This ensures a tight fit between teh legs and the bed.



I'm real happy with mine so far. It was a little pricey, but worth it.

 

[ramcam6]

Reply to Mopar_Mudder

The B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch mounts in the hole when you remove the Turnover ball. That's the only place needed to hold it and the base of the Companion just sits in my case on the plastic bedliner. They put 2 holes in the square part so it works with or without a plastic bedliner. I wondered if I was going to have to cut part of the bedliner out, but when they mounted the turnover ball there is now only a 4" round hole and then two narrow slots where the safety chains hook when I'm using it as a GN. I wondered how it would work with the 5er hitch sitting on the bedliner, but I've had no problems in pulling it over 3000 miles.

 

[livetodrive]

Anyone have experience with the Putnam?



I'm about to get their pop-up gooseneck hitch with the thought of getting the fifth-wheel hitch when I need it. It works like the B&W - remove the gooseneck ball and put the fifth wheel hitch in the socket.



Thanks in advance for any experiences you can share.



Alan.

 

[TRACKERJOHN]

Very Happy with B&W setup, Gooseneck & Companion are Great, Easy to use, Smooth Hook UP,Good Looking Companion Hitch (Lots of Comments.

 

[Jammar9082]

I have the B&W hitch and like it very well. I have not pulled with a goose neck but just finished a 3 1/2 month 8500 mile trip and the hitch performed quite well. I torque painted the bolts and nuts to watch for movement and none occurred. It is very convenient to install and when not needed to have a clean bed in the pickup. I have a sprayed on bed liner(Arma brand).

 

[KBalzuweit]

I had a Putnam for about 6 weeks and took it out. It was the new Firehawk combo. Way to much play. It made it feel like the camper was pushing and pulling on my truck.