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Fifth wheels come with so many features, amenities, and comforts that many people live in them full time. However, towing that massive rig brings with it some complications. That’s why products like the B&W Companion fifth wheel hitch are such welcome reliefs to fifth wheel owners. Let’s look at why this hitch is so popular.
What is the B&W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch?
- Fully articulating head allows front to back and side to side pivoting.
- Cam action latching handle for easy release, even when parked on unlevel sites.
The B&W Companion fifth wheel hitch can give you one of the smoothest rides possible with a large tow. It offers a fully articulating head, which allows for pivoting front-to-back and side-to-side. It also has no mounting rails, so you can still use your truck bed for things other than just towing.
The B&W’s latch handle allows for easy release even at an unlevel parking site. Plus, it’s tough. It can tow 20,000 pounds GTW (gross trailer weight) and 5,000 pounds VTW (vertical tongue weight).
The inch-thick 360-degree wrap-around jaws mean no more stammering at every start and stop. You’ll enjoy a quiet ride thanks to the polyurethane brushings. And all of this comes with a lifetime limited warranty, so you don’t need to worry.
Are B&W Companion Hitches Universal?
You can install the B&W Companion hitch on every full-sized truck on the market and even many short bed trucks. However, for short beds, you’ll need to consider pin box location, type of trailer and shape, and how you need to maneuver.
Our Favorite Features
There’s a lot to like about the B&W Companion fifth wheel hitch. We’ll sketch out a few of our favorite features below.
Can Be Used with a Fifth Wheel or Gooseneck
Easily convert your B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch to a highly stable fifth-wheel trailer hitch. The Companion attaches to the Turnoverball under-bed mounting system so that you can pull a fifth wheel or a gooseneck hitch using the same system.
Ease of Installation
The system installs easily. You’ll simply need to bolt the RV post (included) to the base of the Companion. Once the post is in place, turn a lever in the wheel well to engage a pin through the post.
Torque down the drop-down bolt to tighten the connection between your hitch and the B&W Companion. The bolt will run down through the RV post and create upward pressure on the pin for a strong, stable connection with the truck bed.
Easy to Hitch and Unhitch
You can hitch and unhitch your B&W Companion simply and easily. Best of all, you won’t lose sturdiness, reliability, or towing power when you do so. This means the system offers you versatility in the long run.
Cons of the B&W Companion
The B&W Companion has a lot of features that RVers love. However, its weight is a significant drawback for some.
Weight
The B&W Companion weighs 131 pounds on its own. However, it also has a 75-pound coupler. While that heft lends to its strength and stability, it could be a limiting factor for some.
Alternatives to B&W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitches
Should the B&W Companion be too heavy a system for your liking, here are a couple of other fifth-wheel hitches that also perform well. You may find something that suits your needs or budget a little better here.
Andersen Ultimate
- [LIGHTWEIGHT]: Made of Aircraft-Grade Aluminum, the Ultimate Connection base weighs only 35 lbs making safe install and...
- [ADJUSTABLE]: Three height level adjustments: 16-3/4" lower position, 17-7/8" middle position and 19-1/8" upper position...
The Andersen Ultimate fifth-wheel trailer hitch offers a lighter system that’s still strong. The base only weighs 35 pounds, yet the system can haul 24,000 pounds GTWR and 4,500 pounds VTW. It has three height adjustments and features a remote latch/unlatch cable, eliminating the need to climb into the back of your truck to disconnect the hitch from your fifth-wheel trailer.
The Andersen Ultimate works with all standard brands of gooseneck hitches. Plus, one person alone can install or remove the base in less than a minute.
Curt 16245
- QUIET RIDE. This Q-series CURT 5th wheel hitch is engineered to promote the quietest 5th wheel towing possible. It...
- COUPLING INDICATOR. Built into this 5th wheel hitch is a 3-position indicator that shows the coupling status of the...
The Curt 16245 doesn’t solve the B&W Companion weight problem but could be a solid alternative anyway. This 136-pound hitch system can handle 24,000 pounds GTW and 6,000 pounds VTW. It fits any industry-standard fifth-wheel base rails.
The three-position indicator will display whether your hitch is coupled, uncoupled, or ready to tow. You can operate it using a single short-throw handle.
You’ll find plenty of fifth-wheel hitches on the market. However, the B&W Companion offers versatility and stability that many RVers have come to value. What are you looking for most in your fifth-wheel hitch?
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
