Competitors for the B&W Companion/turnover system

[JThiessen]

Anybody use a dual system like the B&W turnover ball (goosneck) and Companion fifthwheel? Looks like that set up would run me about 900 bones complete. I'm also concerned a bit about the Companion just fitting over the goosneck ball - anybody have the outer legs cause any damage since they are not rigidly attached? I currently have a Husky slider fifth wheel hitch, but I'd like to add goosneck capability to it - especially if I end up buying a new truck. Most of the info I found on here was from earlier in 2005, so just wondering if there is anything new out there.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

The Companion does not fit over the ball. A square tube that is attached to the Companion is inserted into the same square hole that the ball goes in. A bolt at the top end of the square tube is torqued down to hold the Companion snug against the crossbolt that is used to hold the ball when it is in place. There are 4 additional nuts that are torqued to hold the Companion on to the square tube. See pic below.



I have had no problem with mine for 14,000 miles.



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[AFurrh]

Jumbo Jet got it right. I use both the gooseneck and fifth wheel, probably the best and easiest to use hitch I've ever owned.

 

[JThiessen]

So how easy is it to install and remove? Do you have to use the bolts you spoke of? I have no doubt that overall the system is good - everyone I know with the ball swears by them. Did you guys install the turnover ball set up your self? It looked fairly simple.

 

[YFZBOB]

Jumbo Jet got it right. I use both the gooseneck and fifth wheel, probably the best and easiest to use hitch I've ever owned.

DITTO!

I have a 34 Toy Hauler, Tested Off Road condition. By far the best hitch I have ever owned. I have over 20K miles with this hitch, no problems to report.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Did you guys install the turnover ball set up your self? It looked fairly simple.

I have installed 2. One for my Dodge - all by myself. One for a Chevy D-Max - I just supervised - you have to cut a away a portion of a heat shield on the Chevy.



About all you need is a torque wrench, hand tools, and a 4" hole saw. I used a 2x4 and a ratcheting strap to hold the heavy piece in place while I bolted it up. Everything fit perfect. I then had the bed rhino lined and the hitch and bed are sealed.



Let me know if you need a 4" hole saw.

 

[JThiessen]

I've got plenty of access to large hole saw's and Dotco's.



How does the Companion remove? Do you have to remove any of the (4) bolts, or the other one that is torqued?



Also, one other question: I use a 1/2" thick rubber bed mat in my trucks. ANy insight on how that will work with the Companion? Will I need to cut it out around the outer legs of the companion?

 

[RustyJC]

How does the Companion remove? Do you have to remove any of the (4) bolts, or the other one that is torqued?



Also, one other question: I use a 1/2" thick rubber bed mat in my trucks. ANy insight on how that will work with the Companion? Will I need to cut it out around the outer legs of the companion?

1. To remove the companion 5th wheel hitch, remove the "head", then remove the top pull-down bolt and loosen the 4 nuts on the 2 u-bolts and slide the base up over the adapter post. You can then pull the handle in the wheel well to pull the lock pin and remove the adapter post.



2. They've already thought about your bed mat. The adapter post has 2 sets of holes. Looking at the post as you will drop it into the gooseneck receiver, release the handle and engage the pin in the lower (bottom) set of holes. This will raise the post enough to accommodate the bed mat. Since bed mats come in various thicknesses, if this locates the post too high (i. e. , the top of the post will contact the companion hitch frame right below the pull-down bolt), then use the upper set of holes in the adapter post.



Rusty

 

[JThiessen]

Thanks for the info. It doesnt sound like its as quick and easy to remove as some of the other Fiver hitches (mine has just 4 quick release pins). But maybe thats countered by the build quality. I was really hoping to hear of some competition for the B&W... . nice to have choices. But I guess I'll have a couple months to look around. .

 

[RustyJC]

Thanks for the info. It doesnt sound like its as quick and easy to remove as some of the other Fiver hitches (mine has just 4 quick release pins).

So did my previous Reese, but I still had the danged rails in the bed when it was removed.



Rusty

 

[CumminsPower98]

It probably isn't as easy to remove as some but it sure is nice having a clean bed floor when the 5th wheel is not in use. I have used mine for about 150k miles hauling commercially and have had no problems at all. I have towed up to about 12k and it works just great.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Thanks for the info. It doesnt sound like its as quick and easy to remove as some of the other Fiver hitches (mine has just 4 quick release pins). But maybe thats countered by the build quality. I was really hoping to hear of some competition for the B&W... . nice to have choices. But I guess I'll have a couple months to look around. .

It comes apart in two easy pieces so that you can take it out of your truck bed by yourself. I had a SuperGlide slider in my previous short bed truck that required a hoist to get in and out.

 

[dhill]

I think that member "klenger" has a Pull Rite hitch. I think when it is removed, there are no rails in the bed of the truck. this leaves a clean bed, but unless you get another hitch plate, ( I think Pull Rite makes one ) you can not pull a goose neck trailer.



I have the B&W and I like it.



Dave

 

[JRMora]

I also have a B&W and companion hitch. While some say it's harder to remove, I find that the fact I can break it down into two pieces makes it easy for me to remove all by myself. A fiver hitch is heavy. I looked at the pullrites, but it was more $$$ than I had to spend. All in all, I have been extremely happy with the B&W

 

[JThiessen]

So as I understand it, B&W revised the Companion last year. I have the opportunity to purchase an unused Companion (model 3000?) - apparently it was purchased about a year ago. I could likely get into it for about 500. New ones online seem to be running 605, plus shipping. Is the change B&W made to them worth while, or should I jump on the cheaper purchase.

 

[RJOL]

So as I understand it, B&W revised the Companion last year. I have the opportunity to purchase an unused Companion (model 3000?) - apparently it was purchased about a year ago. I could likely get into it for about 500. New ones online seem to be running 605, plus shipping. Is the change B&W made to them worth while, or should I jump on the cheaper purchase.

Don't know about any revisions. Their website still shows the model 3000 and it doesn't say anything about any upgrade...



Here is the site: http://www.turnoverball.com/companion/index.htm

 

[JThiessen]

THe more I look at this, the more I think I'll probably just keep my existing Husky slider, and buy the Goosneck plate set up for about $150

valley/husky goosneck adapter for 5th wheel rails



I'll be into the cost of that, plus new mounting brackets (@$50), and possibly labor if I decide to have it done. Just hard to justify another 900 bucks as opposed to half that or less.

 

[Elk_aholic]

I too have the B&W setup and wouldn't have anything else. The quality and ease of use is great. As for using a rubber bed mat with the hitch, I chose to not cut a hole in my mat and just roll it forward under my cross-box tool box when I am pulling a trailer, either 5th wheel or gooseneck. This way when I haul hay in the pickup bed, the bed mat over the inverted hitch stays free of debris.

 

[Skydiver]

I purchased the B&W with companion last Oct. Took about 2. 5 hours to install with help. It left a small hump in my bed. I really do like it. Takes about 10 minutes to remove and 15 minutes to set in place. Tow's perfect. I pull a 12300 lb 37 ft. Newmar.