B&W Trailer Hitches 3500 User Manual

INSTALL COUPLER

PULL TEST

<THESE INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE GIVEN TO THE END USER>

Lubricate the polyurethane bushings on top of 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 diagram on front page

ATTACHING TRAILER

Remove the coupler cam handle safety pin and use
the cam handle to open the coupler jaws. Adjust the
height of the 5th wheel trailer so that 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: Do not use the Companion 5th wheel

hitch with any device that changes the location of the
king pin pivot point. The king pin on your trailer must
rotate in the jaws of the Companion Coupler, see
figure E1. Preventing the king pin from rotating within
the jaws of the Companion Coupler with a wedge,
see figure E2, or any other device, such as a Reese
Sidewinder or Reese Revolution , could result in
property damage, serious injury or death.

®®

®

Reese is a registered trademark of Cequent Performance Products.

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.

UNATTACHING TRAILER

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, loosen the draw down bolt and
retract the Turnoverball gooseneck latch pin handle
all the way out. Carefully lift and position the
Companion base out of the Gooseneck hitch socket.

B&W Trailer Hitches

1216 HWY 224 / PO Box 186
Humboldt, KS 66748
P:620.473.3664
F:620.473.3766

Companion™ Hitch Installation Instructions

20,000 LBS. TRAILER WEIGHT
5,000 LBS. TRAILER TONGUE WEIGHT

Call or Email us for Installation Support

[e-mail] www.turnoverball.com

7

12

Model 3500

COUPLER JAWS

COUPLER

CAM HANDLE

SAFETY PIN

COUPLER

CAM HANDLE

SADDLE
HANDLE

SADDLE

LOCKING

PINS

PIVOT ARM

BASE ASSEMBLY

8

6

10

11

9

COUPLER ASSEMBLY

REQUIRED TOOLS

Installation of the Companion hitch requires a large torque wrench
capable of measuring 80 ft−lbs, a 3/4" socket, and a 7/16" socket or
wrench

Failure to comply with the safety information in these

WARNING

instructions could result in serious injury or death.

1

ITEM

4

2

1

" X 1

1

2

1

" Split Lock Washers

2

2

1

3

" Threaded block

2

4

Pivot Arm A

5

Pivot Arm B

1

" X 3" Hex Cap Screw

6

2

7

Socket Post

1

8

" X 1

4

1

9

" Finish Nut

4

1

10

" Flat Washer

4

1

11

" Lock Washer

4

12

Plastic Foot Pads

3

PARTS LIST

1

" Hex Cap Screws

2

1

" Machine Screw

2

5

QTYDESCRIPTION

16

16

4

1
1
1

1
4

4

4

4

2

KING PIN

PIVOT POINT

FIGURE E1;

Top view of coupler head.

FIGURE E2;

Coupler Head with

locking wedge.

WEDGE

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.

Copyright 2013, B&W Custom Truck Beds, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

NOTICE: All bolted connections should be checked

for the correct torque specification regularly. A
visual inspection should be performed before each
time you tow.

The Companion was designed to be used with the
Turnoverball

™ mounting system. Other uses will

void the warranty and are expressly prohibited by
B&W Trailer Hitches.

Grease jaws with automotive
type chassis grease.

Grease the saddle through
the grease zerk approximately
every six months with
mult−purpose grease. this
allows the coupler to pivot
freely, see figure F1.

GREASE ZERK

FIGURE F1: Underside

view of Coupler Head

RVK3500 09 10 2013

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

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

to Understanding Trailer and Towing Safety"

"The Trailer Handbook: A guide

from
the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers,
www.NATM.com.

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

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.

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.

PREPARING TO INSTALL

WARNING: Components of the Companion hitch are

heavy and cumbersome to handle. Failure to use
proper lifting techniques when moving and handling
these parts could result in property damage or
serious injury.

Locate the two plastic foot pads. Each pad attaches
to the base through a slot at the end of the base leg.
Before attachment, check the width of your bed rib by
setting the wide face the plastic foot in a bed rib, see
figure A1. If the plastic foot does not reach to the
bottom of the bed rib trough, turn the plastic foot over,
see figure A2 & A3. Locate four 1/4" machine screws,
1/4" flat washers, 1/4" lock washers and 1/4" finish
nuts. Insert the machine screw up through the bottom
of the foot pad through the slot and attach it with a
1/4" flat washer, 1/4" lock washer and a 1/4" finish nut,
see figure A3. Do not tighten hardware at this time, so
that the plastic foot is able to move back and forth in
the slot.

FIGURE A1:

Wide rib orientation.

1/4" FINISH NUT

1/4" LOCK WASHER

1/4" FLAT WASHER

PLASTIC FOOT PAD

1/4" MACHINED SCREW

FIGURE A4, Plastic foot pad installation.

FIGURE A2

Incorrect

BASE LEG

orientation.

PLASTIC FOOT PAD

FIGURE A3

Narrow rib orientation.

NOTICE: Nissan Titan trucks:

Due to the configuration of the bed
ribs on Nisan Titan trucks, it will be
necessary for the foot pad to be
installed on top of a bed rib, see
figure A5.

FIGURE A5:

Titan rib configuration.

INSTALL SOCKET POST

NOTICE: If the Companion is to be used in conjunction

with a 1257 or 1309 model gooseneck hitch, call the
factory for a post that is compatible with these hitches.

1.

The socket post of the Companion hitch is designed to
have two mounting options. In most truck models, the
gooseneck socket will be forward of the axle and the
companion socket post will install towards the cab of
the truck (position 1). If your socket is located over the
axle due to the frame configuration of your truck, as it
is in the 2013 RAM 3500 trucks, install your socket
post so the post is towards the rear of the truck.
(position 2), see figure B1.

FOOT
SLOT

PLASTIC
FOOT PAD

LOCKING

BRACKET

CAB SIDE
OF TRUCK

POSITION 1

FIGURE B1: Cutaway view of Companion base with

2.

Once you have established in which orientation the

both socket post positions shown.

POSITION 2

socket post should be installed, locate the socket post
and eight 1/2" cap screws and 1/2" lock washers.
Slide the socket post into the bottom of the
Companion base and attach the socket post to the
base with the eight 1/2" cap screws and lock washers.
See figure B2. Do not fully tighten hardware at this
time.

FIGURE B2: View of base looking up at the bottom.

3.

Check that the spacer under the locking bracket is

1/2" CAP SCREW

1/2" LOCK WASHER

SOCKET
POST

turned so that the hole in the spacer is positioned over
the socket post. If adjustment is needed, use a tool,
such as a screwdriver, to pry up and rotate the spacer.
Install the 1/2" x 3" cap screw (draw down bolt) into
the top of the Companion base, as shown in figure B3.
Thread the cap screw into the socket adjuster and
hand tighten until the bottom of the slot in the socket
adjuster is even with the bottom of the slot in the post
as shown in figure B4.

SPACER

FIGURE B3: View of center of base

1/2" X 3" CAP SCREW

FIGURE B4: Cutaway

view of center of base.

INSTALL COMPANION BASE

NOTICE

or mat, it should be removed or it must be cut to allow the
base to directly connect with the bed. It is acceptable to
install the RV base over a spray−in bed liner.

1.

Check that the bed of the truck is clean, and that all
debris is removed before beginning installation.

: If truck is equipped with a removable bed liner

SOCKET
ADJUSTER

SOCKET
POST

2.

Locate the GN latch pin handle of the Turnoverball
Gooseneck Hitch in the driver’s side fender well.
Retract the GN latch pin handle all the way to
disengage the pin from ball. Remove the
Turnoverball from the GN hitch receiver socket.

3.

Carefully lift and position the Companion base into the
GN hitch socket in the back of the truck bed. Orient
the base so that the large warning label and the
socket post are on or facing the cab side of the truck.

4.

Square the Companion base legs with the ribs of the
truck. Position the plastic pads so that they are both
in line with the rib along their entire length. Tighten
the four ¼" nuts holding the pads to the base.

5.

Re−engage the GN latch pin handle in the driver side
fender.

WARNING: Check the latch pin under the truck. Make

sure that the latch pin has passed through both sides
of the socket and that the pin is covered up inside the
socket by the socket adjuster, see figure C1.

SOCKET

SOCKET

ADJUSTER

FIGURE C1: Typical view of Turnoverball

gooseneck center under bed.

6.

Secure the base to the truck bed by

first tightening

the eight 1/2" cap screws attaching the socket post
into the center of the base to 80 ft−lbs.

Second,

tighten the 1/2" x 3−1/2" draw−down bolt to 60 ft−lbs.
Lock the draw down bolt in place by swiveling the
locking bracket over the draw down bolt, see figure
C2.

1/2" DRAW DOWN BOLT

LOCKING BRACKET

FIGURE C2: View of top of base.

NOTICE: DO NOT lubricate the draw down bolt, the

torque value is for dry threads only.

NOTICE:

Failure to "lock" the draw down bolt with the
locking bracket will allow the draw−down bolt to
loosen. Property damage may result when the base is
not properly clamped to the truckbed.

INSTALL PIVOT ARMS

1.

Mount the pivot arms using one of the nine different
locations illustrated in Table C1. These nine 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.

See warnings after step 2.

PIN

™

TABLE C1: Pivot arm position table

HORIZONTAL ADJUSTMENT

POSITION 1
POSITION 2

T
N
E
M
T
S
U

J
D
A
L
A
C

I
T
R
E
V

2.

Kingpin 3" behind post

1" ahead of post

Kingpin

S

T

)

N

"

S

4

O

/

I

E

1

T

H

I

8

G

S

I

1

(

O

H

P

T
H

S

G

I

)

N

"

E

4

O

/

I

H

1

T

I

M

7

S

U

1

I

(

O

D

P

E
M

S

)

T

N

"

S

4

O

/

I

E

1

T

I

W

6

S

O

1

(

O

L

P

Locate both pivot arms, the four ½" threaded blocks,

Kingpin

5" behind post
1" behind post

Kingpin

POSITION 2

Kingpin
Kingpin

7" behind post

3" behind post

eight ½" cap screws, and eight ½" 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. The holes on one side
of the threaded block have a tapered edge for starting
screws. Pass the threaded blocks through the leg and
align the blocks with each set of screws and start each
screw. After all screws are started through the arms,
torque each bolt to 80 ft−lbs.

PIVOT ARM

HOLE IN

BASE LEG

1/2"

THREADED

BLOCK

FIGURE C2: View looking at passenger

pivot arm mounting location.

1/2" LOCK WASHER

1/2" CAP SCREW

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

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.