The Companion gives two inches of height adjustment, from 14.75 to 16.75 inches tall, and four inches of fore and aft adjustment. See the diagram for RV arm positions.
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:
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 product that is used in conjunction with our mounting system that has not been manufactured and tested by B&W, even if that product states that it can be used with B&W products. Doing so will void our warranty, but more importantly, could create a safety issue.
The beauty of the Turnover Ball is that, when the ball is stored upside-down in the receiver, it perfectly fills the hole and doesn't allow dirt and grime to get in. We have been reluctant to provide a cover because doing so may also keep the hitch from being flush with the bed, a benefit we have worked hard to engineer into each of our hitch models.
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The Companion is painted with a medium gray powder coat finish.
Yes. However, if you are using a plastic drop in bed liner you will need to cut a hole in the liner large enough for the Companion base to set in.
One of the reasons the Companion is so innovative is because the mounting system (commonly referred to as 'rails') are beneath the bed of the truck, mounted to the frame. This mounting system includes a four inch hole in the bed that a post can be dropped into. 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 drawdown bolt on top of the post creates upward pressure on the pin. Finally, u-bolts are utilized to connect the post to the base.
The last step is locking the coupler portion of the hitch on top of the base.
Check out our instillation videos on our YouTube page to see a hands on demonstration. http://www.youtube.com/user/BWTrailerHitches
 Companion Hitch Install |
I have owned 3 B&W Turnover Hitches in 3 different trucks. I feel they are the best around. I have also installed about 8 others for friends and family on my recommendation. They all love them too.
I also own 2 Companion Hitches and love them except for 1 small detail - the head tipping forward when the handle is opened. I understand that you have a spring for this now. Can I get 2 of these springs, none of my local dealers have had them in stock.
Compliments to an awesome product! I have a 2009 Ford F-350 dually with the turnover ball base and the fifth-wheel companion. I bought it in August of 2008, and the ease of use if great. Two nights ago, I was rear-ended pulling my 40 foot fifth wheel toy hauler. I was stopped in traffic at an exit ramp, and the vehichle that hit me came across three lanes of traffic sideays in a 70 mph zone. My trailer held up OK. The B & W companion stayed in-tact, and ended up mangled. However, it absorbed the shock and probably saved us many more sore days and nights.
Thanks.
