Anyone with a B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch?

[killianak9]

The truck I bought has the B&W turn over ball goose neck installed so I can just purchase a Companion and be ready for a 5th wheel camper.
Just wondering what those of you that have used/owned the Companion think about this hitch?
And If you bought it used or new? If I can find one used local I'd be better off, but I have been looking for about a month now (craigslist) and had no luck.

Thoughts?

[Colorado Osprey]

I am the service manager in a trailer shop and we install and use these. (We are a B&W Dealer) Be aware that the Companion is only rated to 16k. If you have a bigger camper you will need to install a traditional 25k 5'er hitch.
B&W Gooseneck hitches are the only way to fly with a GN.
I have never seen a Companion used come up for sale. MSRP is $1300 for a new one. We get about $700 for them.
We get about 10 B&W GN hitches used a year for sale and about a 100 5th wheel non-slider hitches. The non slider 5th wheel hitches are just metal scrap. Everyone these days thinks they need a slider and any non-slider is only worth about $100 used.

[jraddy]

I have one and I love it. Jaws lock up nice and tight and its very easy to check and see that your jaws are locked. I got lucky and picked it up from a Co worker whose new trailer came with the Companion but he didn't need it. I paid $350.

[brutal]

You may already know this, but whatever you do, do NOT even think about putting a GN adapter on your pinbox. Seriously bad juju. Too much stress for something that wasn't designed for it. I constantly reminded a friend that had done this it was a very bad idea and if I was behind him, would always follow at a great distance. He got away with it for a little while, about one year on his first fiver, traded that and about one year on his second before the pinbox came apart. Lucky for him, he was already on the side of the road with a boat trailer flat (we both double pull). He said he just about shat himself when he saw the damage. 30 seconds later and that rig would have been the source of carnage and mayhem.

[JohnTRourke]

the other thing to remember is to take that GN turnover ball out every 6 months or so and make sure it doesn't seize up in there.
cuz it's damn near impossible to get out once it seizes up in there

We were literally hanging the entire truck (2500HD) from the ball with a forklift and it wasn't budging

[killianak9]

I am the service manager in a trailer shop and we install and use these. (We are a B&W Dealer) Be aware that the Companion is only rated to 16k. If you have a bigger camper you will need to install a traditional 25k 5'er hitch.
B&W Gooseneck hitches are the only way to fly with a GN.
I have never seen a Companion used come up for sale. MSRP is $1300 for a new one. We get about $700 for them.
We get about 10 B&W GN hitches used a year for sale and about a 100 5th wheel non-slider hitches. The non slider 5th wheel hitches are just metal scrap. Everyone these days thinks they need a slider and any non-slider is only worth about $100 used.

My truck is rated for 14500lbs and the 5th wheel I am looking at has a GVWR of 11990lbs, dry weight of 9430 and hitch weight of 1850lbs.
I should be fine with a 16k Companion for this application, right? If so, do have any available ?
Thanks

[killianak9]

You may already know this, but whatever you do, do NOT even think about putting a GN adapter on your pinbox. Seriously bad juju. Too much stress for something that wasn't designed for it. I constantly reminded a friend that had done this it was a very bad idea and if I was behind him, would always follow at a great distance. He got away with it for a little while, about one year on his first fiver, traded that and about one year on his second before the pinbox came apart. Lucky for him, he was already on the side of the road with a boat trailer flat (we both double pull). He said he just about shat himself when he saw the damage. 30 seconds later and that rig would have been the source of carnage and mayhem.

Funny you say that! I knew about this then spoke to a buddy regarding why the hell someone would risk it. Some insurance companies will NOT cover the unit if its towed this way. I am a firm believer in having the right tool for the job. Sad part is that adapter is 300 bucks less then the 5th wheel hitch! Smarter and safer to tow it right.
I say your buddy was DAMN lucky, he had some angels that day [Flower]

[killianak9]

the other thing to remember is to take that GN turnover ball out every 6 months or so and make sure it doesn't seize up in there.
cuz it's damn near impossible to get out once it seizes up in there

We were literally hanging the entire truck (2500HD) from the ball with a forklift and it wasn't budging

Damn good thing I have a topper (help keep some of the junk out) and have been using the ball, thanks for the heads up. That's helps

[killianak9]

Hey Colorado Osprey, can I purchase a companion from you?

[Colorado Osprey]

pm inbound

With a 16k hitch and only a 12k trailer the hitch is plenty

[mrswimco]

The truck I bought has the B&W turn over ball goose neck installed so I can just purchase a Companion and be ready for a 5th wheel camper.
Just wondering what those of you that have used/owned the Companion think about this hitch?
And If you bought it used or new? If I can find one used local I'd be better off, but I have been looking for about a month now (craigslist) and had no luck.

Thoughts?

I have a barely used (only a couple of times, for a short distance) Companion for sale. I live in Eastern South Dakota though. I don't know how much shipping would be, but I might be heading to Colorado Springs in the next few weeks. If interested, I can provide pictures and additional information. I will be selling it for $575.

Thanks in advance.... mrswimco@hotmail.com

[fairrpe86]

Still available?

[Colorado Osprey]

There is a new Companion now available with 20k trailer capacity. Also available now is also a Companion Slider. They really beefed up the design for this new weight class.

[fairrpe86]

The 5er I am looking to buy only has a GVWR of 14000, so no need for the bigger one at this point. Can you please pm me price on a companion, as well as a companion slider? Thanks