B & W Companion and newer model GM Trucks

[SSteilow]

I was reading on RV. Net in the Fifth Wheel thread and came across this report.

The B & W Companion is starting to dent the top ridges in the bed for a 2013 3500 GMC.

There were other reports from Chevy and Ford Owners from 2011 to 2013 with the same issue.

I guess B & W has a kit that is supposed to correct this, and are sending this kit to everyone who is having

this issue. Just wanted to find out if you guys who have the B & W Companion is having the

same issues with your RAM 3500 from 2011-2013.

Scott

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I can only speak about the Companion model 3500. Its feet are wide, and cover one high runner and, with the supplied plastic runners, fills the adjacent low runner on each side. It also covers two hat section cross-bed reinforcements, one in front and one behind. The legs come back close to a third hat section. If the socket post is bolted down as specified with eight 1/2" grade 8 bolts, and the draw-down bolt is torqued, the hitch should not move or rock back and forth at all. Other Companion designs use u-bolts to hold the socket post, and there is some chance, I suppose, for movement especially if they aren't tightened enough, or the hitch is overloaded.

 

[Wingate]

probably another example of how thin the sheetmetal in trucks is getting.

Speaking of B&W Companion... wonder if they ever actually shipped any of the sliders...

 

[jelag]

I have the B&W Companion and use it with a flat bed... . we made the bed out of synthetic wood... its now been in service close to 8 years... our only problem is the rubber pad on the bottom of the Companion... which has come off a couple of times and I finally took the dual action sander to the bottom... and than used contact cement to re-attach the rubber... I have lots of miles towing and the companion has enough surface area where I don't have a problem... But I can see where as the gauge of the sheet metal bed gets lighter... the weight of a large 5th wheel might damage the bed... .

 

[SSteilow]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I do not consider this a deal killer in getting the B & W Companion for myself.

Just wanted to see if any one was having the same issue, with their Rams.

Scott

 

[Bob V]

I did feel some "rocking" when I was towing our BIG toy hauler. I was in the road so I added a sheet if plywood between the hitch and the bed to help distribute the load, it did make a difference. I see that B&W does have a "kit" RVXA3120 'RAM' Feet for Companion http://www.turnoverball.com/sites/default/files/rvxa3120_06_24_2013.pdf I also saw a kit from "RAM" that added some "feet" under the bed to stiffen the bed where the hitch fits. Here is the kit I am talking about http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Valley/V70790.html

 

[RustyJC]

I've been running angle iron runners under the frame of my B&W Companion for over 10 years. These runners just lie in the bed, and the Companion hitch frame sits on the horizontal side of the two (2) runners. I cut them so that they extend from the toolbox at the front of the bed to the tailgate at the rear.

These runners stabilized the Companion frame in terms of surging and fore/aft rocking, especially when braking on washboard road surfaces, and also spread the load forces over the length of the bed floor, thus preventing denting or damage to the bed floor. When not using the hitch, they slide right out and can be stored with the Companion hitch until it's needed again.

Rusty

 

[SSteilow]

I've been running angle iron runners under the frame of my B&W Companion for over 10 years. These runners just lie in the bed, and the Companion hitch frame sits on the horizontal side of the two (2) runners. I cut them so that they extend from the toolbox at the front of the bed to the tailgate at the rear.

These runners stabilized the Companion frame in terms of surging and fore/aft rocking, especially when braking on washboard road surfaces, and also spread the load forces over the length of the bed floor, thus preventing denting or damage to the bed floor. When not using the hitch, they slide right out and can be stored with the Companion hitch until it's needed again.

Rusty

Thank you Rusty,
Appreciate the information. I'll Make a note to look into some the Angle Iron Runners.
Scott

 

[SSteilow]

I did feel some "rocking" when I was towing our BIG toy hauler. I was in the road so I added a sheet if plywood between the hitch and the bed to help distribute the load, it did make a difference. I see that B&W does have a "kit" RVXA3120 'RAM' Feet for Companion http://www.turnoverball.com/sites/default/files/rvxa3120_06_24_2013.pdf I also saw a kit from "RAM" that added some "feet" under the bed to stiffen the bed where the hitch fits. Here is the kit I am talking about http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Valley/V70790.html

Thank you Bob, this must be the kit from B & W, talked about over on RV. Net earlier,and for the two links.
With everybody's input, and help, I have several options to consider thank you, all.
Scott

 

[Bob V]

Thank you Bob, this must be the kit from B & W, talked about over on RV. Net earlier,and for the two links.

With everybody’s input, and help, I have several options to consider thank you, all.

Scott

Thank you for bringing it up! I didn't know about the B&W kit before I started looking at there site again. I also see that they have a OEM fit companion for the new Fords, I hope the direct fit companion for the 2013+ Rams will be here soon

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The Companion 3500 should fit your needs. 20K capacity.

 

[SSteilow]

The Companion 3500 should fit your needs. 20K capacity.

I am looking at getting the 3500 Companion 20k
Scott