Companion™ Fifth Wheel Hitch
Product Details
- Part Number RVK3500
- Fully articulating head allows front to back and side to side pivoting.
- Cam action latching handle for easy release, even when parked on unlevel sites.
- No mounting rails means using your truck for more than towing.
- Wide stance, engineered for improved stability and strength.
- 1" thick, wrap-around jaws fit kingpin perfectly, eliminating sloppy starts and stops.
- Polyurethane bushings provide a quiet, rattle free towing experience.
- 20,000 lb GTW/5,000 lb VTW
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
FAQs
Using a wedge and pin box coupler is acceptable with the Patriot and Companion models that use a four-point puck attachment system. A wedge and pin box coupler should not be used with Companion and Companion slider which both mount using the Turnoverball under bed mounting system. The forces generated at that single attachment point by a wedge device can damage the hitch and cause it to fail.
At B&W, there is nothing more important to us than the safety of our customers. Because of our commitment to exceptional design and quality, we often see products on the market that refer to B&W products or state that they can be used with B&W products. As a rule of thumb, we do not recommend any products that is used in conjuction with our mounting system that has not been manufactured and tested by B&W, even if that product states it can be used with B&W products. Doing so will void our warranty, but more importantly, could create a safety issue.
We have been made aware of a product that is of special concern. This product replaces the pin box on a 5th wheel trailer and changes the pivot point from the hitch jaws to a point rearward of the hitch. It is our opinion that this configuration creates stress loads that fall outside the normal testing done on 5th wheel hitches. We are concerened that moving the pivot point rearward as much as 20 inches puts stress on the hitch (and the truck) that has not been widely studied. Therefore, we strongly discourage the use of our Companion 5th Wheel Hitch with one of these pin boxes. Any product that prevents the king pin from rotating within the jaws of the Companion with a wedge or other device and moves the center of rotation to a point other than the locking jaws should not be used with the Companion.
When the Companion was engineered, the goal was to raise the bar in the 5th Wheel Hitch industry. We did that by offering a truly versatile hitch that has many desirable features including jaws that tightly fit the king, and a coupler that is cushioned and pivots in four directions. We also championed the ability to have a rail-free bed when not towing, with a single point attachment to the mounting system. The result is a sturdy, high quality hitch with a superb safety record. This document in no way challenges the quality of the Companion.
The short answer is yes, many folks towing fifth-wheel trailers with shortbed trucks successfully use the Companion.
There are many factors to consider when addressing the issue of cab clearance. To answer the question for you specific truck and trailer, pay attention to the following:
1. Pin Box Location - Is the Kingpin even with the front of the trailer, or is it recessed behind the front of the trailer? Some 5th wheel manufacturer's have compensated for the prevalence of shortbed trucks by building extended kingpin boxes.
2. Type of trailer and shape. Narrower trailers allow a tighter turning radius. Trailers that are built with rounded corners accommodate more cab clearance than squared corners.
3. Finally, the type of maneuvering that will be required while towing. Do you anticipate lots of sharp turns while towing, or is it only highway driving with little or no backing?
Yes. However, if you are using a plastic, drop-in bedliner, you will need to cut a hole in the liner large enough for the Companion base to fit in.
All of B&W's 5th wheel hitches utilize a cam action release for the jaws. When the latch handle is secured in the closed position, the jaws will stay locked around the kingpin of your trailer for towing. When the latch handle is moved to the open position, the tension on the jaws is released, even though they may not visibly pop open. If your truck and trailer are on uneven ground, there may be a slight bind between the jaws and trailer kingpin. This is normal. With the cam mechanism open, there is a nothing holding the jaws together. Ensure that the handle pin is in place, keeping the handle in the locked open position, then simply pull forward. The jaws will open and you'll be unhitched from your trailer.
The Companion 3500, released in October 2013, is an updated version of the Companion 3000 that essentially hadn't changed in ten years. The coupler is exactly the same, but a few updates were given to the base of the hitch. These include: the base is now equipped with plastic 'feet' that fill in the bed corrugations. There is more height adjustment (max height of 3000 was 16.75", max height of the 3500 is 18.25"). The post is affixed to the hitch using bolts, rather than u-bolts, and now the entire hitch is rated at 20K, rather than 18K.
The Companion has a medium gray powder-coat finish.
One of the reasons the Companion is so innovative is because the mounting system is beneath the bed of the truck, mounted to the frame. This mounting system includes a four-inch hole in the bed. The Companion base has a square post that fits into this hole.
After the Companion base is set into the mounting hole, a lever in the wheelwell is turned, engaging a pin through the post. A draw-down bolt on top of the post creates upward pressure on the pin. A locking bracket holds the bolt in place.
The last step is locking the coupler portion of the hitch on top of the base.
You do not need a lube disc when pulling your RV. Using a lube disc is a matter of preference. While utilizing a lube disc is a much cleaner option, you can simply apply an automotive type chassis grease to the top plate of the hitch. If you would prefer a greaseless option, we highly recommend our Amercan made graphite lube disc. https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/product/graphite-lube-plate
Yes, since all of our hitches in the Companion line use the same coupler head, you may purchase the base that works best for you. Depending on your needs, we offer both stationary and slider versions for the Ram, GM and Ford factory prep packages, as well as the Flat Bed and single point attachment Companion that mount into the Turnoverball.
Removing & Reinstalling the Companion Model 3000 If there are two U-bolts attached to the RV post on your Companion base, you have the older model 3000. Uninstalling the hitch is a process of several steps.
1. Remove the two saddle lock pins holding the RV coupler to the RV pivot arms. The coupler is now sitting loosely on the pivot arms and can be lifted off and set aside using the handles located on either side of the coupler.
2. Loosen the nuts on the two U-bolts that attach to the RV post.
3. Loosen the draw-down bolt holding the RV base to the RV post.
4. Pull the latch pin handle, located in the driver’s side, rear fender and rotate it clockwise until it latches in the out position. The RV base and post can now be lifted from the hitch receiver socket in the bed. The base weighs 98 lbs and can be awkward to handle, so having two people or a mechanic’s lift to do the lifting makes for an easier and safer operation. Once the base has been removed, the Turnoverball can be dropped into the receiver socket. If you want to use your truck for something other than towing, just turn the ball over. Turn the latch pin handle counterclockwise until it engages and you’re ready to go.
When reinstalling your Companion, it’s important that the steps are conducted in the proper order .
1. Make sure the latch pin in the wheel well is pulled out and locked in the out position. Place the Companion base back in the truck bed, making sure the post slides all the way into the hitch receiver socket. Engage the latch pin by rotating the handle counterclockwise.
2. Tighten the draw-down bolt in the top of the post to 40 ft-lb with a torque wrench.
3. Next, tighten the nuts on the two U-bolts to 80 ft-lb each. It is very important that the draw-down bolt is tightened before the U-bolts are tightened. Also, you should not be able to disengage the latch pin in the wheel well when the base is installed correctly.
4. Lubricate the polyurethane bushings on the pivot arms with high grade lithium grease. Set the coupler on the pivot arms and replace the lock pins through the RV saddle, making sure to insert the hairpins through the holes in the end of the pins. The coupler should rock freely on the pivot arms. Your Companion is now ready to use. If you need more information go to: www.turnoverball.com. Go to RV Hitches. On the Companion page, click on the Instructions Tab for further information.
Removing & Reinstalling The Companion Model 3500 If you have the newer model 3500 Companion, the process is a bit quicker because there are no U-bolts.
1. Remove the two saddle lock pins holding the RV coupler to the RV pivot arms. The coupler is now sitting loosely on the pivot arms and can be lifted off and set aside using the handles located on either side of the coupler. When the handles are lifted, they unlock the coupler from the pivot arms.
2. Swivel the locking bracket on the draw-down bolt out of the way and loosen the bolt.
3. Pull the latch pin handle, located in the driver’s side, rear fender and rotate it clockwise until it latches out. The RV base, with the post attached, can now be lifted out of the hitch socket. The base of the 3500 weighs 129 lbs and can be awkward to handle, so having two people or a mechanic’s lift to lift it up and out of the bed makes for an easier and safer operation. Once the base has been removed, the Turnoverball can be dropped into the receiver socket. If you want to use your truck for something other than towing, just invert the ball to plug the hole. Turn the latch pin handle counterclockwise until it engages and you’re ready to go.
To reinstall your Companion follow these steps.
1. Make sure the latch pin in the wheel well is pulled out and locked in the out position. Place the Companion base back in the truck bed, placing the post in the hitch receiver socket. Engage the latch pin by rotating the handle counter clockwise.
2. Tighten the draw-down bolt in the top of the post to 60 ft-lb with a torque wrench. Make sure to lock the draw down bolt in place by swiveling the locking bracket over the head of the bolt. You should not be able to disengage the latch pin in the wheel well when the base is installed correctly.
3. Lubricate the polyurethane bushings on the pivot arms with high grade lithium grease. Set the coupler on the pivot arms and replace the lock pins through the RV saddle, making sure to insert the hairpins through the holes in the end of the pins. The coupler should rock freely on the pivot arms. Your Companion is now ready to use. If you need more information go to: www.turnoverball.com. Go to RV Hitches. On the Companion page, click on the Instructions Tab for further information.
Instructional Videos
Documents
https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/sites/default/files/documents/Companion%20Owners%20Manual.pdf
https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/sites/default/files/documents/RVK3500%20%28pn%203500-100%29%2006%2015%202020.pdf
Specs
- Product Weight: Base 131 lbs; Coupler 75 lbs
- Footprint: 30.5" Wide x 36" Deep
- Measurement: Center of hitch post to front edge (cab-side) of hitch: 14.5" (18.5" for alternative post position for select truck models)
- Three vertical adjustments from 16.25" to 18.25"
- 4" of front to back adjustment with three coupler positions
