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1st, best to spray white lithium grease on the black rubber heads before placing the top on; helps with pivoting (should be done periodically). 2nd, you need to grease the head assembly; the zerk fitting is underneath the head (periodically as well), grease the jaws too. 3rd, you're hitching too high; the kingpin plate should slide up the front angled portion of the hitch; about 1/2 to 3/4" below the hitch plate. I love my B&W, sure you'll love yours too. Be safe!
My B&W companion says to install white lithium grease on the polyurethane bushing that's the head rest on. And I believe you're suppose to install some white lithium grease on the king pin of the trailer and the inside of the jaws of the head too. Like I said thats what mine said when I purchased it last year. Just a little heads up
One more thing lol... you generally want to have the hitch lift your trailer slightly as you back under the trailer when hitching. It also helps keeping from high pinning like y’all did with your old hitch. I keep my bed-trailer clearance over 7”. Watch out for the steep of camber driveways and camping spots. That’s where you will come close to hitting you bed sides.
I have had my B&W Companion for 16 years and I think it's the best on the market! I painted the visible ends of the jaws bright red. Easier to see when they are closed!
Hi this is Rick again, you did great on putting your hitch together I saw in your hook up you didn't put your locking pin in but then JD did re iterate putting your pins in. I went and got some brings locks and installed a couple in my locking pins for the pucks. I also dont use the white Teflon disk and maybe I should but I have always just sprayed my plate with graphite spray dry lube and just touch it up every once in awhile. Seems to be working rather well for the past 30 years but I might try the Teflon disk. Happy trucking...Rick Madison ..Pioneer of stealth. F117- B2 BOMBER, F22 Rapture
Hey Tom, step one with the spring was put on backwards. There is a little curve on one end to lock on the bracket and it should put tension on the head. I just installed my a couple days ago and I almost made the same mistake. The B&W hitches are well made and works great. See you guys on the road. Enjoy you all videos.
Yep by far the best 5th wheel hitch on the market today. Only issue is weight but I only remove mine from my F250 diesel when necessary. I love not worrying about loosing my 5th wheel. It’s worth the piece of mind.
Really appreciate BIG TRUCK BIG RV providing you guys help (been watching his videos for a long time). Feel like more is better when pulling a trailer like yours. Very happy you have a truck that is up to the task of safely pulling your trailer for many years to come.
Tom, David Schroeder touched on part of this, you should replace at least one safety pin from the puck handles and use a lock. Also, when you are NOT towing I replace one of the head pins with a long lock. Nice thing about this hitch is it's quick to install. Bad thing about it is it's also easy to remove. Last thing you want or need is to come out to your truck and find your complete hitch gone!
You will enjoy the quality of the hitch. We hand machine and tool every part with safety of life in mind. Yes, I am a BW Trailer Hitch, employee. Happy trailering.
You made the right decision on the 5th wheel hitch! I have the slider companion hitch because our last truck only had a 6 3/4 foot bed and now our f350 has an 8’ bed, we really like it. Since I was a tractor trailer driver and manager and safety manager always look at the jaws of the hitch before pulling away. I’ve seen many false connections in my 45 years of doing this. Really like you guys keep sending those videos!
With that pretty new truck bed..consider the LineX spray in bedliner....great addition to protect your truck bed as well as secure all of the cargo you will be carrying. Should also look at a retracting tonneau cover to provide security for all that you will have in the bed in addition to the hitch. I used the BakFlip brand...it provides weather and prying eye protection and when you are hitched it is stowed up at the front portion of the bed completely clear of your hitch/5th wheel. We loved ours. And as another commenter stated...get padlocks for all places where you now use those removable pins... including the locking handle that controls the jaws....pranksters have been known to open that while you are away from your rig and then you have a repeat of dropping your rig on your truck bed...don't want that. Safe travels!
You have purchased the truck I recommend, the hitch I recommend and are towing the brand of 5th wheel I recommend. You need to listen to me a little more!! Congrats, you're gonna love all of it.
I heard stories of people pulling the pins even on the release arm, as a joke. Lose the trailer on the road. I replaced mine with locks, not being removed without me knowing.
I remember when you guys dropped the fifth wheel on the truck, that another hitch wasn't too good but this one is much better. JD is a really smart and educated person when it comes to RVs so you guys are in good hands. Have fun and enjoy your guy's journey. :D
Hey Tom, when you are backing on to the pin you are going in a little high. That's what caused your previous failure. The pin plate on the trailer should make contact with the small ramps on the hitch and ride up into place. I try to hit it approximately an inch or a little more below the flat plate on the hitch. That way you will not high pin it....
The first time I hooked up my b&w I was a little high and the b&w wouldn’t even lock. Felt very comfortable after figuring this out. I do the same thing now, have my hitch plate slightly above the king pin and make sure it slides under. Still do the tug test just to be safe.
Everyone I follow who full time RVs and tows heavy and large RVs drives an F450. I’m not a Ford fan, per se, but I do love that truck. The B&W companion was at the top of my list for a 5th wheel hitch when I was looking but the do not make a slider that fits my factory puck system on my truck. Love the videos. Looking forward to the review of towing with the new setup.
Just a suggest small comment try and make sure your squared if possible when backing under the 5th wheel ! tailgates and trailers do collided . If I can't make this happen I usually have my wife lift the tail gate up while hitching.. Great video Tom
All of these repairs make me love my older (1988) Holiday Ramblet motorhome even better. Although parts are getting harder to find for it,it was built like a rock!! I have friends with newer units. And they're just not built very well to me. They're mass produced slapped and snapped together and thrown out the doors for sale these days. Best wishes to you guys and safe travels to y'all as well.
Hey bud I think that spring was install backwards. That little keeper tab that stick out keeps that spring from rotating. Check at 3:20 in the video. Just saying cus I have a companion slider myself. That spring keeps the head pointed down for easier hookup and so you can reduce high pinning
Tom I enjoy your video’s. I have the same hitch. I noticed you did not apply any white lithium grease to the black bushings before you lowered the head down. The grease is recommended and gives protection to the rubber bushings. There should have been a small packet in the parts bags. Plus when you remove the head it will come off much easer.
You do need to do a pull test landing gear still on the ground and pull forward if not hooked up it will pull away from trailer and if it is you’ll pull trailer forward some. This is standard for all fifth wheel trailers and tractor trailer combos
I know you already set your hitch but when you get a chance park on level ground and make sure the trailer is level front to back. Don’t worry about the truck just the trailer. If the trailer is level front to back hitched to the truck it spreads the weight evenly amongst the trailer tires and the truck. All the measurements you were told to do don’t consider truck squat which affects tongue weight and weight on the trailer tires. Also using a torque wrench don’t use and extension it alters the torque.
Hey Guys, another great video. So glad to see the truck and hitch upgrades. I have the same BW Companion hitch for my Ram truck. One thing you didn't show in your video that you absolutely want to make sure gets down is lubing the rubber parts of the two arms with white lithium grease before you put the head on the hitch. If you check the manual that came with the hitch they even give you a little starter packet of grease in the back of the manual. That's the manual, not the paper instructions you were using in the video. Be sure you add that grease asap! Good luck with the truck/hitch, love ours, hitch has performed flawlessly, with nice even rides, no chucking, it's excellent!
Hi from Scotland. We don’t see many units like yours on our roads but loving your videos and this one was very interesting. Good to see that you did this yourself and it works which is fantastic.
You should check out Anderson Ultimate Hitch! 10x easier to use and no slap or movement with our Momentum 397. You can install and remove from truck bed in under 5 minutes and weighs less than 30lb total.
Just a word to the wise. Those pins that hold the puck handles in the lock position, I would replace those with some nice master locks. Because if your truck is parked somewhere away from you for about five minutes. Some bad guy might jump up in your bed and pull the pins and lift your hitch out of your bed. There are a lot of bad people out there looking for something to sell on craigslist.
Outstanding choice! I have the exact same hitch. You will LOVE that it NEVER binds when on an angle and there is no gap between the machined jaws/pin so it's extremely quiet. A few pointers; 1. When installing, tap down on the puck pins before turning the handles to ensure they are fully seated (lowest position); 2. you can switch the side arms to the rear-facing position to give you a few more inches between the tailgate and trailer; 3. Get some locks and install them in place of the puck handle pins--while not 100%, it provides some deterrent. Congratulations on the new truck and hitch--you are going to love both.
One thing you missed. When you inserted the Carter pin to stop the bolts on the deck from coming lose on their own. When you use that type of safety pin if you look closely at the pin you’ll notice that one end of the pin is longer than the other. The reason is so you can have something for the pliers to hold on to when you split the pin and bend them in separate directions. The reason you want that is in the event something moves one side of the pin back into a straight position the other side stays bent. suddenly that safety feature is gone we’re as if you had split the pin and bent it back in different directions you would still have that protection of one side of the pin. I hope you can make sense of this but that why one end is shorter than the other.
i know its expensive but it is well needed and worth it. purchase a 1/2 inch battery operated impact gun. Around a 600 lb rating. great for that project and TIRE changing, trk or trlr
I don’t even have or plan to get a fifth wheel but enjoyed watching that demonstration. Sweet truck when this coved-19 is past us and you’re able to travel again I hope you’ll do something on real world fuel economy and how the hitch performs.
I have a habit from semi days, also having a backup beeper helps also when backing up or moving I use my flashers which alert people around me that I am moving, also having a beeping system also helps
A little hard to tell from the video but if you need more room between tailgate and your fifth you can reverse your pivot arms on the hitch and that will give you another 4" if I remember correctly if you have done so already.
When I got our Fifth wheel in late Feb. the dealer suggested the BMW companion hitch. I have used it four thins and I love this hitch. Easy to hook up and unhook. For my two cents I think it is the best one going hands down. You did good getting it. Happy towing Jim & Jan (The Flip Flop Way of Life)
An extension to move the wrench away from the bolt shouldn't change the torque measurement as long as you keep the wrench square with the bolt. When I did mine, I torqued the bolts with the hitched locked into place on the truck and no extensions. I might have used a deep well socket to give some wiggle room and then slowly tighten the bolts until the wrench gives. I don't like to yank the bolts tight. They probably should be rechecked for torque after the first tow.
when you put the title as the best 5th wheel hitch I guessed you meant the B and W hitch. When I was in the RV business I sold this hitch and it is the best ever.
I wish you would have said your trying to achieve a 6 or 7 inch distance between pick up bed rails and f wheel when this is key it’s level on hitch so that weight distribution is equal on all axles so that one single axle is not overloaded
Glad y'all got your hitch! Happy trails! Just a bit of advice. Torque wrenches are not ment to be used as a normal ratchet. In emergencies one can get by. However it is a good idea to make sure it is still calibrated. If used as normal ratchet, it can lose its calibration and then may over or under tighten your hardware. Good luck!!
I prefer the Reese Gooseneck... you will never have to wander if your locked in or have to test by doing a test pull. The suspension is awesome and you still have your entire bed available.
Hi Folks. Great video. It was really interesting to watch you install that hitch. I am a former truck driver/ trucking company owner. I think this video gives everyone a good view as to how this type of hitch works. Great job Tom, on the install. Cheri, great job on the supervision and videography. It was nice to see you both involved in the install, and Cheri, I bet this gives you a better understanding of this hitching mechanism. Glad to see you are both healthy as well. I wish you a safe "Maiden Voyage" and Happy Trails. God Bless.
Did you apply the supplied lithium grease to the two urethane bumpers before setting the head on? You really should also grease the jaws a bit. Don't forget that you occasionally need to grease the pivot point underneath the head with a grease gun.
I notice that your hitch is rated at 25K. I have had mine for around 3 years, it shows a rating of 20K. I tow a Bighorn 3010 RE and an 17 ft aluminum boat. Well within the 20K limit. I also have a 33 ft gooseneck flatbed that I haul a tractor and implements and occasionally 20 K excavator down to my farm. I changed the ball hitch to king pin so I would not have to pull the hitch out to access the ball. The tractor and implements are within the 20 K rating. Not thinking I loaded the excavator and off I went. On the way back it doned on me that I was far in excess of the 20 K rating. More like 30K. The hitch handled it without any damage. I changed the gooseneck back to the ball hitch and now take the hitch out and use the ball for the gooseneck. It slips forward enough to access the ball with a Weather Guard box in front. Don’t feel bad, I too have dropped a fifth wheel on the rails of the PU. That was about 30 years ago. I had a RBW hitch at the time that had a sliding bar retainer that held the king pin in position. The handle went to the closed position but I forgot to verify that it was in the correct position. With the B&W hitch it would be nearly impossible for this to happen. Keep up the great videos!
One more check you forgot. Overall height? Set the trailer in travel mode with full weight on fifth wheel and measure the highest point to the ground ( probably a/c over bedroom, but maybe an extra antenna). If you are over 13ft-6inches, you have a problem. My guess is you're around 13'-4".
Not sure if someone has already meantime’s to you or not yet? But there is a 30 amp fuse that you will need to install in your truck so you can charge your RV batteries while traveling down the road. Not sure how your fuse box is laid out in the F450, but in my F350 2017 model it is listed as the number 27 slot.
I hate autocorrect. I was trying to say not sure if it had already been mentioned to you or not yet. Btw, I really enjoy your channel! Stay safe out there.
Now you have a hitch and truck that will safely tow that monster of a toy hauler. I am sure you will enjoy your towing experience a lot better now. Can't wait for the first tow video of your new truck. Great choice you made.
I’ve had the king pin towers under the high hat stress and crack, one busted clean off and the hitch was only held by the other tower. Beware of this and make sure you regularly take your hitch apart and inspect / service it.
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Should have bought a Hensley
Should have bought a Hensley
I own nothing but Hensleys now
Have you guys considered a 5th wheel tailgate? My dad has one for are truck and it is so nice because you don’t have to drop the tailgate.
EnjoyTheJourney.Life why didn’t you have the truck bed coated with a liner ? Do you really wanna scratch the bed of a new truck come on
1st, best to spray white lithium grease on the black rubber heads before placing the top on; helps with pivoting (should be done periodically). 2nd, you need to grease the head assembly; the zerk fitting is underneath the head (periodically as well), grease the jaws too. 3rd, you're hitching too high; the kingpin plate should slide up the front angled portion of the hitch; about 1/2 to 3/4" below the hitch plate.
I love my B&W, sure you'll love yours too.
Be safe!
My B&W companion says to install white lithium grease on the polyurethane bushing that's the head rest on. And I believe you're suppose to install some white lithium grease on the king pin of the trailer and the inside of the jaws of the head too. Like I said thats what mine said when I purchased it last year. Just a little heads up
Also putting the white lithium grease on the rubber pucks the head sits on will help keep them quiet and lubricated and from drying out
One more thing lol... you generally want to have the hitch lift your trailer slightly as you back under the trailer when hitching. It also helps keeping from high pinning like y’all did with your old hitch. I keep my bed-trailer clearance over 7”. Watch out for the steep of camber driveways and camping spots. That’s where you will come close to hitting you bed sides.
I have had my B&W Companion for 16 years and I think it's the best on the market!
I painted the visible ends of the jaws bright red.
Easier to see when they are closed!
You're going to LOVE your new setup! Cheers my friends.
Thanks again JD! We are loving it!
Hi this is Rick again, you did great on putting your hitch together I saw in your hook up you didn't put your locking pin in but then JD did re iterate putting your pins in. I went and got some brings locks and installed a couple in my locking pins for the pucks. I also dont use the white Teflon disk and maybe I should but I have always just sprayed my plate with graphite spray dry lube and just touch it up every once in awhile. Seems to be working rather well for the past 30 years but I might try the Teflon disk. Happy trucking...Rick Madison ..Pioneer of stealth. F117- B2 BOMBER, F22 Rapture
Hey Tom, step one with the spring was put on backwards. There is a little curve on one end to lock on the bracket and it should put tension on the head. I just installed my a couple days ago and I almost made the same mistake. The B&W hitches are well made and works great. See you guys on the road. Enjoy you all videos.
B&W has THE BEST customer service! I had a couple of faulty handles and they overnighted the new handles the next day!
Yep by far the best 5th wheel hitch on the market today. Only issue is weight but I only remove mine from my F250 diesel when necessary. I love not worrying about loosing my 5th wheel. It’s worth the piece of mind.
Really appreciate BIG TRUCK BIG RV providing you guys help (been watching his videos for a long time). Feel like more is better when pulling a trailer like yours. Very happy you have a truck that is up to the task of safely pulling your trailer for many years to come.
Tom, David Schroeder touched on part of this, you should replace at least one safety pin from the puck handles and use a lock. Also, when you are NOT towing I replace one of the head pins with a long lock. Nice thing about this hitch is it's quick to install. Bad thing about it is it's also easy to remove. Last thing you want or need is to come out to your truck and find your complete hitch gone!
You will enjoy the quality of the hitch. We hand machine and tool every part with safety of life in mind. Yes, I am a BW Trailer Hitch, employee. Happy trailering.
You made the right decision on the 5th wheel hitch! I have the slider companion hitch because our last truck only had a 6 3/4 foot bed and now our f350 has an 8’ bed, we really like it. Since I was a tractor trailer driver and manager and safety manager always look at the jaws of the hitch before pulling away. I’ve seen many false connections in my 45 years of doing this.
Really like you guys keep sending those videos!
With that pretty new truck bed..consider the LineX spray in bedliner....great addition to protect your truck bed as well as secure all of the cargo you will be carrying. Should also look at a retracting tonneau cover to provide security for all that you will have in the bed in addition to the hitch. I used the BakFlip brand...it provides weather and prying eye protection and when you are hitched it is stowed up at the front portion of the bed completely clear of your hitch/5th wheel. We loved ours. And as another commenter stated...get padlocks for all places where you now use those removable pins... including the locking handle that controls the jaws....pranksters have been known to open that while you are away from your rig and then you have a repeat of dropping your rig on your truck bed...don't want that. Safe travels!
Best hitch on the market. I've been using it on my f450 without any issues
You have purchased the truck I recommend, the hitch I recommend and are towing the brand of 5th wheel I recommend. You need to listen to me a little more!! Congrats, you're gonna love all of it.
I’d be pulling the tractor pins out of those puck lock handles and replace them with locks, a stout old boy could walk off with that in 10 seconds.
Exactly.. I have locks on my Reese Elite's pin for that very reason..
I heard stories of people pulling the pins even on the release arm, as a joke. Lose the trailer on the road. I replaced mine with locks, not being removed without me knowing.
No Pins or clips.. All Locks.
I remember when you guys dropped the fifth wheel on the truck, that another hitch wasn't too good but this one is much better. JD is a really smart and educated person when it comes to RVs so you guys are in good hands. Have fun and enjoy your guy's journey. :D
Hey Tom, when you are backing on to the pin you are going in a little high. That's what caused your previous failure. The pin plate on the trailer should make contact with the small ramps on the hitch and ride up into place. I try to hit it approximately an inch or a little more below the flat plate on the hitch. That way you will not high pin it....
Bill U I do the same. I set my pin box so it just hits the ramp then back under.
The first time I hooked up my b&w I was a little high and the b&w wouldn’t even lock. Felt very comfortable after figuring this out. I do the same thing now, have my hitch plate slightly above the king pin and make sure it slides under. Still do the tug test just to be safe.
@@brynwhite5470 you are right
Everyone I follow who full time RVs and tows heavy and large RVs drives an F450. I’m not a Ford fan, per se, but I do love that truck. The B&W companion was at the top of my list for a 5th wheel hitch when I was looking but the do not make a slider that fits my factory puck system on my truck. Love the videos. Looking forward to the review of towing with the new setup.
That is one BEAUTIFUL truck and hitch, you must smile a lot. Can't wait to see where you are headed, keep smiling and making great videos!
Just a suggest small comment try and make sure your squared if possible when backing under the 5th wheel ! tailgates and trailers do collided . If I can't make this happen I usually have my wife lift the tail gate up while hitching.. Great video Tom
B&W Companion, best hitch their is. You >won't< have a replay of your earlier incident with this hitch.
finally - lol don't forget to read the manual - you need to grease the bushings under the hitch head too.
I have the same hitch and u can't go wrong, u have the best hitch for the money and b&w stands behind their products - u did good- safe travels
All of these repairs make me love my older (1988) Holiday Ramblet motorhome even better. Although parts are getting harder to find for it,it was built like a rock!! I have friends with newer units. And they're just not built very well to me. They're mass produced slapped and snapped together and thrown out the doors for sale these days. Best wishes to you guys and safe travels to y'all as well.
I drive trucks and when hitching it’s nice to have a work light so you can see the hitch. Looks a nice hitch
Hey bud I think that spring was install backwards. That little keeper tab that stick out keeps that spring from rotating. Check at 3:20 in the video. Just saying cus I have a companion slider myself. That spring keeps the head pointed down for easier hookup and so you can reduce high pinning
Tom I enjoy your video’s. I have the same hitch. I noticed you did not apply any white lithium grease to the black bushings before you lowered the head down. The grease is recommended and gives protection to the rubber bushings. There should have been a small packet in the parts bags. Plus when you remove the head it will come off much easer.
You do need to do a pull test landing gear still on the ground and pull forward if not hooked up it will pull away from trailer and if it is you’ll pull trailer forward some. This is standard for all fifth wheel trailers and tractor trailer combos
Do check the instructions. My BW hitch instructions recommended lithium grease on the rubber mounts under the hitch plate
Doug Wicks yes they do. I was going to mention that as well. 👍
I know you already set your hitch but when you get a chance park on level ground and make sure the trailer is level front to back. Don’t worry about the truck just the trailer. If the trailer is level front to back hitched to the truck it spreads the weight evenly amongst the trailer tires and the truck. All the measurements you were told to do don’t consider truck squat which affects tongue weight and weight on the trailer tires. Also using a torque wrench don’t use and extension it alters the torque.
Hey Guys, another great video. So glad to see the truck and hitch upgrades. I have the same BW Companion hitch for my Ram truck. One thing you didn't show in your video that you absolutely want to make sure gets down is lubing the rubber parts of the two arms with white lithium grease before you put the head on the hitch. If you check the manual that came with the hitch they even give you a little starter packet of grease in the back of the manual. That's the manual, not the paper instructions you were using in the video. Be sure you add that grease asap! Good luck with the truck/hitch, love ours, hitch has performed flawlessly, with nice even rides, no chucking, it's excellent!
Hi from Scotland. We don’t see many units like yours on our roads but loving your videos and this one was very interesting. Good to see that you did this yourself and it works which is fantastic.
Don't forget to put Lithium grease on the poly bushings between base and head unit. Also grease the jaws.
You should check out Anderson Ultimate Hitch! 10x easier to use and no slap or movement with our Momentum 397. You can install and remove from truck bed in under 5 minutes and weighs less than 30lb total.
nvr_hom Anderson is great no mess no fuss hooked mine up almost 90degrees one day no problem
Just a word to the wise. Those pins that hold the puck handles in the lock position, I would replace those with some nice master locks. Because if your truck is parked somewhere away from you for about five minutes. Some bad guy might jump up in your bed and pull the pins and lift your hitch out of your bed. There are a lot of bad people out there looking for something to sell on craigslist.
Tom you did a great job showing and talking about your new hitch!!
Bad ass Truck and Hitch . Hope your safe and healthy .
Thanks Duane! Yes, we are loving the new set up! Same to you!
Outstanding choice! I have the exact same hitch. You will LOVE that it NEVER binds when on an angle and there is no gap between the machined jaws/pin so it's extremely quiet. A few pointers; 1. When installing, tap down on the puck pins before turning the handles to ensure they are fully seated (lowest position); 2. you can switch the side arms to the rear-facing position to give you a few more inches between the tailgate and trailer; 3. Get some locks and install them in place of the puck handle pins--while not 100%, it provides some deterrent. Congratulations on the new truck and hitch--you are going to love both.
One thing you missed. When you inserted the Carter pin to stop the bolts on the deck from coming lose on their own. When you use that type of safety pin if you look closely at the pin you’ll notice that one end of the pin is longer than the other. The reason is so you can have something for the pliers to hold on to when you split the pin and bend them in separate directions. The reason you want that is in the event something moves one side of the pin back into a straight position the other side stays bent. suddenly that safety feature is gone we’re as if you had split the pin and bent it back in different directions you would still have that protection of one side of the pin. I hope you can make sense of this but that why one end is shorter than the other.
Excellent choice! You won’t regret it for a moment. Made in America!!!
I've got the same hitch and have had zero issues. I absolutely love it. Currently hauling my fifth wheel camper to Wyoming from Texas
i know its expensive but it is well needed and worth it. purchase a 1/2 inch battery operated impact gun. Around a 600 lb rating. great for that project and TIRE changing, trk or trlr
You guys are living the dream.
I have the companion hitch and it's the best I have ever used....
I don’t even have or plan to get a fifth wheel but enjoyed watching that demonstration. Sweet truck when this coved-19 is past us and you’re able to travel again I hope you’ll do something on real world fuel economy and how the hitch performs.
Tom if you will put your truck in four wheel low and let it creep into your hitch you won't have such fast jerking movements trying to hit up
Great job Tom.i have the same truck and hitch,different toy hauler.you will love the way the truck handles that rig
Get a lock for the puck handles so it can’t be stolen.
Looks nice . Great hitch !!
BUY a LOCK and put there at the Puck hinges . Easy to walk away !!!!
Safe Travels!!!
I have a habit from semi days, also having a backup beeper helps also when backing up or moving I use my flashers which alert people around me that I am moving, also having a beeping system also helps
Good Morning. That is the same still I have. It had beed a good hitch for me. I great if you need to empty the bed out. Jack
Hitch hight is perfect.
A little hard to tell from the video but if you need more room between tailgate and your fifth you can reverse your pivot arms on the hitch and that will give you another 4" if I remember correctly if you have done so already.
When I got our Fifth wheel in late Feb. the dealer suggested the BMW companion hitch. I have used it four thins and I love this hitch. Easy to hook up and unhook. For my two cents I think it is the best one going hands down. You did good getting it. Happy towing
Jim & Jan (The Flip Flop Way of Life)
Good Job Tom but check this out when you use an extension on your Torque Wrench the torque values change but you ck it for self
Not at 80# they don't. Not enough to measure with a typical clicker wrench. 🙄
An extension to move the wrench away from the bolt shouldn't change the torque measurement as long as you keep the wrench square with the bolt. When I did mine, I torqued the bolts with the hitched locked into place on the truck and no extensions. I might have used a deep well socket to give some wiggle room and then slowly tighten the bolts until the wrench gives. I don't like to yank the bolts tight. They probably should be rechecked for torque after the first tow.
Be sure to use some kind of lock in place of a one of the pins to prevent anyone from stealing it.
time to get those windows tinted and a bed liner installed! Line-X is what i'd go with.
when you put the title as the best 5th wheel hitch I guessed you meant the B and W hitch. When I was in the RV business I sold this hitch and it is the best ever.
I wish you would have said your trying to achieve a 6 or 7 inch distance between pick up bed rails and f wheel when this is key it’s level on hitch so that weight distribution is equal on all axles so that one single axle is not overloaded
I had that hitch on my 2005 F450 with never a problem. Good luck.
You should put a bedliner in your truck it will definitely save you trucks bed and looks nicer too. Btw I love your new truck my hubby's a Ford man.
Glad y'all got your hitch! Happy trails!
Just a bit of advice. Torque wrenches are not ment to be used as a normal ratchet. In emergencies one can get by. However it is a good idea to make sure it is still calibrated. If used as normal ratchet, it can lose its calibration and then may over or under tighten your hardware. Good luck!!
tom you done everything right 👍👍👍👍
Beautiful truck ! love the F450, and that's an excellent choice on the hitch as well .
Love your new Ford.
We have one and love it. But you should put white lithium grease on those rubber bushings. Also grease the zerks that are on the head.
Hey your truck bed needs LINE-X® looks nice and no scratches it's some tough stuff
Reese Goose Box is the hitch JD uses.
Great Choice, much better upgrade
My instructions said to grease the locking teeth and the arms of the platform for the movement in the trailer/truck joint.
You should protect your investment and get a spray in bed liner.
I prefer the Reese Gooseneck... you will never have to wander if your locked in or have to test by doing a test pull. The suspension is awesome and you still have your entire bed available.
Hi Folks. Great video. It was really interesting to watch you install that hitch. I am a former truck driver/ trucking company owner. I think this video gives everyone a good view as to how this type of hitch works. Great job Tom, on the install. Cheri, great job on the supervision and videography. It was nice to see you both involved in the install, and Cheri, I bet this gives you a better understanding of this hitching mechanism. Glad to see you are both healthy as well. I wish you a safe "Maiden Voyage" and Happy Trails. God Bless.
Smart move. I Think the B & W is the best hitch made. We have the Companion also. Absolutely satisfied.
Did you apply the supplied lithium grease to the two urethane bumpers before setting the head on? You really should also grease the jaws a bit. Don't forget that you occasionally need to grease the pivot point underneath the head with a grease gun.
Love the look you gave. When the wife asked you why didn't you have the hitch professionally installed. Lol
I have been asked that question before :)
I notice that your hitch is rated at 25K. I have had mine for around 3 years, it shows a rating of 20K. I tow a Bighorn 3010 RE and an 17 ft aluminum boat. Well within the 20K limit. I also have a 33 ft gooseneck flatbed that I haul a tractor and implements and occasionally 20 K excavator down to my farm. I changed the ball hitch to king pin so I would not have to pull the hitch out to access the ball. The tractor and implements are within the 20 K rating. Not thinking I loaded the excavator and off I went. On the way back it doned on me that I was far in excess of the 20 K rating. More like 30K. The hitch handled it without any damage. I changed the gooseneck back to the ball hitch and now take the hitch out and use the ball for the gooseneck. It slips forward enough to access the ball with a Weather Guard box in front. Don’t feel bad, I too have dropped a fifth wheel on the rails of the PU. That was about 30 years ago. I had a RBW hitch at the time that had a sliding bar retainer that held the king pin in position. The handle went to the closed position but I forgot to verify that it was in the correct position. With the B&W hitch it would be nearly impossible for this to happen. Keep up the great videos!
Congrats on the new F450, hitch is also bad ass. Cant wait to get on the road ourselves soon.
I gave a thumbs up but I went with a Pullrite hitch as I have a short bed and want to be able to swing a full 90 in my truck
Good hitch it’s what I use The ball part gets most use though but sadly I miss your chevy
One more check you forgot. Overall height? Set the trailer in travel mode with full weight on fifth wheel and measure the highest point to the ground ( probably a/c over bedroom, but maybe an extra antenna). If you are over 13ft-6inches, you have a problem. My guess is you're around 13'-4".
Not sure if someone has already meantime’s to you or not yet? But there is a 30 amp fuse that you will need to install in your truck so you can charge your RV batteries while traveling down the road.
Not sure how your fuse box is laid out in the F450, but in my F350 2017 model it is listed as the number 27 slot.
I hate autocorrect. I was trying to say not sure if it had already been mentioned to you or not yet. Btw, I really enjoy your channel! Stay safe out there.
You should get the truck bud coated with line-x
You can move that hitch setup to the rear setup to give you more tailgate room.
Love our B&W hitch. Do the maintenance as often as it says. We feel totally secure towing with ours.
Glad to see you got the best hitch on the market. Don't forget your white disk on the pin.
Keep the vids coming.
Now you have a hitch and truck that will safely tow that monster of a toy hauler. I am sure you will enjoy your towing experience a lot better now. Can't wait for the first tow video of your new truck. Great choice you made.
Good choice, can't go wrong with B&W, heavy duty!!!
You may want to consider turning the triangle supports 180 degrees to give you more clearance between the tailgate and front of the 5th wheel.
Not sure if its been mentioned. Your torque spec is skewed with the use of an extension. Some of the torque is going into the extension vs the nut
Should be using some padlocks for the safety pins!
Harder to steal your hitch!
While your out and about in town or sleeping.
That thing is really nice!
B&w is the best
Right on, you're making it look easy enough 👍♥️🇺🇲
Thank you! Cheers!
You’ll love that hitch so much more than your last hitch. So easy to use!
I’ve had the king pin towers under the high hat stress and crack, one busted clean off and the hitch was only held by the other tower. Beware of this and make sure you regularly take your hitch apart and inspect / service it.
Bought my B&W seven years ago Love how it handles rated at 21K