B&w 3600 User Manual

<THESE INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE GIVEN TO THE END USER>

B&W Trailer Hitches

1216 Hawaii Road / PO Box 186
Humboldt, KS 66748
P:620.473.3664
F:620.869.9031

See Limited Lifetime Warranty at

bwtrailerhitches.com/warranty

RAM OEM Mount System Installation Instructions

25,000 LBS. TRAILER WEIGHT
6,250 LBS. TRAILER TONGUE WEIGHT

Model 3600

COUPLER JAWS

COUPLER CAM

HANDLE SAFETY PIN

COUPLER CAM HANDLE

SADDLE HANDLE

Call or Email us for Installation Support

[e-mail] www.bwtrailerhitches.com

1

2

5

4

3

TRUCK CAB

8

SADDLE

LOCKING PINS

PIVOT ARM

BASE ASSEMBLY

LATCH HANDLE

LATCH PIN

6

REQUIRED TOOLS
Installation of the Companion hitch requires a large torque wrench capable of
measuring 80 ft−lbs, a 3/4" socket, a 7/16", and 9/16" socket or wrench, a 7/32"
allen wrench and a pair of needle−nose pliers.

Failure to comply with the safety information in these

WARNING

Read all installation and operating instructions along with all labels
before using this product.

Adding components to the chassis of any vehicle can be
hazardous. There is potential for damage to vehicle, injury from
tool usage and many other hazards. This installation must be
completed by someone who is aware of the hazards involved. This
person must be knowledgeable of proper safety procedures for a
vehicle installation of this nature, and for usage of the equipment
required to perform the installation.

Without proper knowledge, towing can be a dangerous activity.
Understand all the risks involved with towing before proceeding.
For information on towing safety, see

guide to Understanding Trailer and Towing Safety"

National Association of Trailer Manufacturers, www.NATM.com.
and your trailer manufacturer’s owner’s manual.

Do not exceed tow or tongue rating of coupler, tow or tongue
rating of hitch, or tow or weight ratings of truck or trailer. See
vehicle and trailer manufacturer information for ratings. Exceeding
these ratings may cause damage to towing components or loss of
attachment between the trailer and truck.

instructions could result in serious injury or death.

Additional caution must be used when towing a wedge car trailer.
Towing stability greatly depends on keeping the center of gravity
as low as possible. Load heavy cars over the axles. Never tow
with a single car on the front of the trailer. When towing a wedge
car trailer, never exceed speeds that are reasonable for the
roadway conditions (e.g. turns, going around a curve, etc.). Failure
to account for proper trailer center of gravity and speeds that are
reasonable for the roadway conditions may cause damage to the
truck, trailer, towing components, and loss of attachment between
the truck and trailer.

Do not modify this product in any manner. Doing so could alter its

"The Trailer Handbook: A

from the

integrity and lead to a loss of attachment between the trailer and
the tow vehicle.

Regularly check that all bolted connections are at the correct
torque specification. A visual inspection should be performed
before each time you tow.

Components of the hitch are heavy and cumbersome to handle.
Use proper lifting techniques when moving and handling parts.

10

9

11

BASE BOLT BAG (RVB3600)

QTYDESCRIPTIONITEM

1

Pivot Arm A

2

Pivot Arm B

1

" Split Lock Washers

3

2

1

" X 2" Hex Cap Screw

4

7

2

3

5

" Threaded Block

4

COUPLER BOLT BAG (RVC3006)

ITEM

6
7
8

9
10
11

DESCRIPTION QTY
Wire Torsion Spring
Mounting Clip
1/4" X 1/2" Cap Screw
1/4" Finish Nut

3/8" Button Head Cap Screw
3/8" Lock Nut

PAGE 1 of 5

1

1
8

8

4

1
1
1
1
2
2

PREPARING TO INSTALL

Remove any debris and/or obstructions from the truck
bed, this includes any plastic caps which may be over
the attachment points. It may also be necessary to
remove the plastic grommets from around the mounting
points in order to fully seat the base down to the truck.

Remove all parts from the packaging and familiarize
yourself with all the parts and tools required. Use the
parts list on the front page to verify that all parts and
hardware are present.

INSTALL PIVOT ARMS

1.

Mount the pivot arms using one of the twelve different
locations illustrated in Table A1. These twelve
locations allow flexibility in coupler height (vertical
adjustment) and distance from the cab (horizontal
adjustment). Choose a location so that your trailer will
be as level as possible and have adequate turning
clearance while towing.

TABLE A1: Pivot arm position table (driver side)

CAB

DIRECTION

S

T

N

S

O

I

E

T

H

I

G

S

I

O

H

P

T
N
E

T

M

H

T

S

G

S

I

N

U

E

J

O

H

I

D

T

I

A

M

S

U

L

I

O

A

D

P

C

E

I
T

M
R
E
V

S

T

N

S

O

I

E

T

I

W

S

O

O

L

P

4" BEHIND

AXLE

(FARTHEST

FROM CAB)

)
"

9
1

(

)
"

8
1

(

)
"

7
1

(

HORIZANTAL ADJUSTMENT

See warnings below.

2"

BEHIND

AXLE

OVER

AXLE

2" IN FRONT

OF AXLE

(CLOSEST

TO CAB)

WARNING: B&W also recommends that you check

the clearance between the bed side and the underside
of the front of the trailer and to allow adequate
clearance for the pitch and roll of the trailer while
towing.

2.

Locate both pivot arms, the four 3/4" threaded blocks,
eight 1/2" cap screws, and eight 1/2" split lock
washers. Place the lock washers over the cap screws.
Align the flat side of the pivot arm flat against the bolt
plate and install four 1/2" cap screws through the
holes on the arm, holding the arm in place, as shown
in Figure A2. Locate the threaded blocks. Note that
the sides of the block have threaded holes on one side
and smooth bored holes on the other side. When
installing the threaded blocks it is critical that the side
with the smooth holes is flat against the bolt plate
when installed. Pass the threaded block under the
bases side and align the block with each set of screws
and start each screw, as shown in Figure A3. After all
the screws are started through the arms, torque each
bolt to 80 ft−lbs.

PIVOT ARM

1/2" LOCKWASHER

1/2" X 2" CAP SCREW

FIGURE A2: Passenger pivot arm mounting location.

PIVOT ARM

1/2" X 2"
CAP SCREW

THREADED
BLOCK

WARNING: B&W recommends that you check the

clearance between the truck cab and the trailer.
Compare the measurement taken from the center of
the Coupler to the cab, to the measurement taken
from the center of the king pin to the farthest forward
corner point of the trailer. These measurements will
allow you to see how much clearance you will have
between the cab and the trailer while towing and
turning.

CENTER OF
COUPLER
TO CAB

KING PIN TO EDGE OF TRAILER

1/2" LOCKWASHER

FIGURE A3: Cutaway view of passenger side bolt plate.

WARNING: Installing the thread blocks backwards

will not allow the pivot arms to be fully tightened in the
base and could lead to hitch failure. Before coupling
hitch, be sure that none of the 1/2" x 2" bolts are loose
and the pivot arms are securely attached to the bolt
plate. Failure to check threaded block orientation
could cause serious injury or death.

PAGE 2 of 5

INSTALL LEVELING KIT

1.

Locate the 1/4" cap screw and nut, along with the wire
tension spring and mounting clip. Pass the 1/4" cap
screw through the mounting clip and the wire spring
as shown in Figure B1. Thread the 1/4" lock nut onto
the 1/4" cap screw. Tighten the lock nut just enough
that the spring will stay in place but will still be able to
rotate around the bolt if needed, see Figure B2.

1/4" LOCK NUT

WIRE

SPRING

MOUNTING

CLIP

IMPORTANT: The attachment points may differ from

truck to truck. If the pilots fit into the trucks
attachment points you may skip Step 2 and continue
with Step 3. If the Companion base does not fit into
the attachment points proceed to Step 2.

ATTACHMENT POINTS

FIGURE B1:

Leveling kit parts.

2.

Locate the flange which will be closest to the truck cab

FIGURE B2:

Assembled leveling kit.

on the driver side pivot arm, see Figure B3. The clip
should be placed so that when the springs coil is in the
line with the edge of the arm there will be 1/2" of
clearance between the bottom of the rubber bumper
and the top of the spring, see Figure B4. Drive the clip
securely onto the flange with a hammer.

DRIVER SIDE
PIVOT ARM

CAB

FIGURE B3: Base View

FIGURE B4: Driver

side pivot arm.

INSTALL BASE

WARNING:

adjusted to fit the tow vehicle. Failure to properly
adjust the cams and handles may result in property
damage and/or personal injury.

1.

The Companion base will mount to four attachment
points in the truck bed. Remove any debris and/or
obstructions from the truck bed, this includes any
plastic caps which may be over the attachment points.
Remove the latch pins from each side of the base and
rotate the handles out, see Figure C1. Place the base
over the attachment points and carefully lower it until
the latch cams pass through the floor and the base
rests flat against the top of the attachment points.

The latch cams and handles must be

1/2"

FIGURE C1:

View of unlatched base

FIGURE C2:

View of closed latch handle

2.

Each leg of the Companion base has an adjustable
pilot assembly which is attached to the foot with two
1/2" cap screws, as shown in Figure C3. To adjust
the pilot assemblies that do not fit into the attachment
points, loosen both the 1/2" cap screws so the pilot
assembly can move freely, see Figure C4. Set the
base over the attachment points and adjust the pilot
assemblies until the pilot keys pass through the slot in
the attachment points and the pilot shoulders rest flat
against the top of the attachment points. When all the
pilot assemblies are aligned and inside the
attachment points, push the base towards the cab
and use a tape measure to verify that the base is
approximately square with the truck bed. Tighten any
loose cap screws to 80 ft−lbs.

BASE
FOOT

PILOT

KEY

PILOT

SHOULDER

FIGURE C3: View under base foot

3.

Prepare to adjust latch tension. Once the base is in

PILOT
ASSEMBLY

FIGURE C4: View of a base foot.

place, remove the cotter pins from each of the four
castle nuts. Engage the cams with each attachment
point by turning the latch handles back to their locked
position, see Figure C2. If a handle will not turn easily,
loosen the castle nut until the cam will freely turn and
engage the attachment point.

1/2" CAP
SCREW

PAGE 3 of 5

4.

Adjust the tension in the latch handle, for parts list

and visual guide refer to Figures C5 and C6.

With the handles in the latched position, tighten the
castle nut until snug to increase the tension on the
latch. Rotate the latch handle open and closed.
Tighten the castle nut slightly and rotate the handle
open and closed again. Repeat this process until you
feel the cam engage the attachment point while
closing the handle. The handle is set at the proper
tension when there is friction between the cam and
attachment point but the handle can still be closed by
hand without bumping, tapping, or otherwise forcing
the handle closed.

WARNING:

Setting latch handle tension so that
excessive force is required to close the latch handles
may result in property damage and/or personal injury.

COTTER
PIN

INSTALL COUPLER HANDLE

1.

Locate the two 3/8" x 1−1/4" button head cap screws
and the two 3/8" flanged lock nuts provided in a bolt
bag. Pull out the coupler arm and pin it with the
safety locking pin near the base of the arm as shown
in Figure D1.

CAUTION:

creates a pinch point. Use caution when installing the
handle to avoid injury.

2.

Using the button cap screws and the lock nuts attach
the coupler handle to the arm and tighten, see Figure
D1. Pull out the coupler cam handle safety pin.

3/8" BUTTON HEAD

CAP SCREWS

COUPLER

ARM

COUPLER

HANDLE

Pulling the arm out away from the coupler

COUPLER CAM
HANDLE SAFETY PIN

FLAT
WASHER

LATCH

HANDLE

FIGURE C5: List of latch parts.

COTTER PIN

TIGHTEN

LOOSEN

FIGURE C6: View of base leg.

5.

With the base firmly held down and each latch handle
closed, replace the latch pins removed in Step 1.

NOTICE:

Verify latch tension each time the
Companion base is placed in a truck, and periodically
before towing.

3/8" LOCKING
FLANGE NUTS

FIGURE D1: View looking down at side of coupler head.

INSTALL COUPLER

1.

Lubricate the polyurethane bushings on top of the
pivot arms with high grade lithium grease (available
at your local hardware/automotive store). Place the
coupler over the pivot arms. (The saddle handles
should be parallel with the base in the latched
position.) Place the saddle lock pins through the
saddle, then insert the hairpins through the holes in
the end of the saddle lock pins to secure the coupler
to the pivot arms, see Figure E1.

COUPLER PLATE

HAIRPIN

SADDLE HANDLES
(Latched and
parallel to base)

SADDLE
LOCK PIN

FIGURE E1: Coupler installed on base.

2.

Adjust the resting angle of your
coupler plate by rotating the spring
on the driver side pivot arm. Pulling
the top of the spring away from the
cab will increase the angle of the
coupler plate. Set the angle of the
coupler so that head will tilt away
from the cab when coupling, see
Figure E2. Tighten the 1/4" nut
once the spring’s orientation is set.

FIGURE E2: Cutaway

view of driver side

pivot arm and saddle.

PAGE 4 of 5

ATTACHING TRAILER

UNATTACHING TRAILER

Remove the coupler cam handle safety pin and open
the cam handle. Adjust the height of the 5th wheel
trailer so the king pin plate is slightly lower than the
top of the coupler. Back the truck towards the trailer,
centering the trailer’s king pin in the coupler, until the
king pin has engaged the jaws. Ensure that the
coupler cam handle has completely closed before
inserting the cam handle safety pin through the cam
handle and the coupler. Hook up brake and lighting
connections before towing.

WARNING: Towing a trailer without a functioning

pivot point between the hitch & trailer will cause
significant damage to the hitch which may lead to
serious injury or death. Some pin boxes such as a
Pull−rite

® Superglide Capture Plate remove the pivot

point between a trailer and coupler and should not be
used, See figure F1. Pin boxes with a wedge that
relocates the pivot point such as a Reese
or Reese

WEDGE

FIGURE F1: Capture plate.

® Revolution may be used, see figure F2.

KING PIN

PIN BOX

KING PIN

WEDGE

ROTATION POINT

FIGURE F2: pin box with rotation point.

® Sidewinder

Lower landing gear and block the trailer wheels.
Raise the trailer until the tongue weight is removed
from the truck. Then, unpin the Coupler handle and
rotate to the open position to unlatch the jaws. If the
jaws do not open, readjusting the landing gear may
relieve pressure and allow them to open. Use the
safety pin to lock the handle in the open position and
when you are sure that the landing gear will support
the trailer, move the truck forward to release the
jaws from the kingpin. The jaws will always open
when the pressure of the trailer is taken off the
coupler as the truck pulls away.

UNINSTALL HITCH

To uninstall the Companion hitch, remove the
Saddle lock pins, grab the saddle handles and lift to
remove the coupler from the pivot arms. To remove
the Companion base, remove the latch pins from
each base leg and turn the handles. Carefully lift
and position the base out of the attachment points.

NOTICE: Base latch handle tension and all bolted

connections should be checked regularly. The
latches must have the proper resistance when
rotating, and bolts must have proper torque. Always
perform a visual inspection before towing.

PULL TEST

Have the truck stationary with the emergency brake
on, the trailer wheels blocked and landing gear still
resting firm on the ground supporting the weight of
the trailer. Make sure no one is between the truck
and trailer, return to the cab of the truck. Release the
emergency brake and apply the trailer brakes. Try to
pull the trailer forward with the truck. If the trailer is
properly hooked up, the wheel blocks and trailer
brakes should not allow the truck to move forward. If
trailer is not hitched correctly, the trailer will separate
from the truck. However, with the landing gear
resting firmly on the ground, it will support the trailer
and not allow it to drop or fall on the truck sides.

HELPFUL TIPS:

Approximately 15%−25% of the trailer weight should
be on the hitch.

The height of the king pin box and pivot arms should
be adjusted so that the trailer is approximately level
for towing.

Allow adequate clearance between the bed side and
the underside of the front of the trailer for pitch and
roll of the trailer.

Lubricate top surface of coupler with automotive type
chassis grease or use a nylon lube plate to provide a
lubricated surface.

Grease jaws with automotive type chassis grease.

Grease the saddle through the grease zerk
approximately every six months with multi−purpose
grease. This allows the coupler to pivot freely, see
Figure G1.

Copyright 2018, B&W Custom Truck Beds, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

GREASE ZERK

FIGURE G1: View under coupler.

RVK3600 (pn 3600-300) 07 26 2018

PAGE 5 of 5