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Old 03-06-2018, 11:46 PM   #1
OutlawPilot
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Companion hitch installation

I have the B&W Companion model 3700 fifth wheel hitch for GM pucks that I'll be installing in my 3500 HD Denali long box dually. I'll be towing a 41 foot Montana High Country 381TH trailer with a GVWR of 17,000 lb.

For anyone with a Companion hitch and a similar setup, in what position did you install the pivot arms of the Companion? The pivot can be installed leaning forward or backward, and in a high, medium, or low position. I'm not quite sure where to start as my go-to position and would appreciate some guidance.

Thanks!
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Old 03-07-2018, 05:22 AM   #2
RoadRunnerTR21
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Mine is currently medium 2" behind the axle. I'm thinking about flipping it to be over the axle. The current ride is good but with a long box bed moving it forward 2" will not cause me any issues.
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Old 03-07-2018, 06:03 AM   #3
Dave W
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I have been using our B&W for this and the previous 5er 2" behind the axle for about 50,000 miles. Way back and with a Kountry Aire and a different hitch did the same. Naysayers will tell you that you will have lightning strike, the earth will open and swallow you if your hitch isn't centered over the axle. They are wrong! It will move the carried load back a little, but so what. You have a decent sized pickup that will handle this minor change

Nice thing with a B&W is that you can experiment with you settings
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Old 03-07-2018, 06:06 AM   #4
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Just think, these are adjustable for a reason, just like the 5th wheels on big rigs, they can slide back and forth, the setup depends on each truck and each person, what works for one may not work for others. You'll have to tweak it to your truck and comfortably when towing
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Old 03-07-2018, 07:03 AM   #5
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I have a B&W hitch. Put it where you think you might need it and if that isn’t where you need it change it. We can’t tell you where you need it.
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Old 03-07-2018, 08:23 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rollingdownthehighway View Post
Just think, these are adjustable for a reason, just like the 5th wheels on big rigs, they can slide back and forth, the setup depends on each truck and each person, what works for one may not work for others. You'll have to tweak it to your truck and comfortably when towing
I've never towed a trailer like this so I have no point of reference. I'd like to start at a fairly "standard" position and only move it if necessary to solve a specific issue.

At this point I'm thinking the forward position (over the axle) and either the mid or low bolt placement because i have air bags to raise the bed if necessary to level.

Sound prudent?
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Old 03-07-2018, 08:32 AM   #7
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I've always had mine in the rearward, highest position with my long bed duallies and had no problem. Remember, you have a new dually that is higher in the rear than its previous generations, so in order to get it home, I would put it in the highest position. The forward and rearward shouldn't matter as it is a long bed. Once you get it home, put it in a level place and measure the height and best of all, look at it. If it is higher in the nose and you have plenty of bed clearance then lower it. But do this when you have time and not at the dealer when trying to get out of there with your new rig. Congratulations!
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Old 03-07-2018, 09:15 AM   #8
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What does the truck owners manual say?
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Old 03-07-2018, 09:18 AM   #9
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What does the truck owners manual say?
Good call. Didn't think to look. The trailering guide says this of fifth wheels: "these hitches position the trailer’s kingpin weight over or slightly in front of the truck’s rear axle." So that suggests that the rearward position is NOT preferred.

Now looking into height-related references...
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Old 03-07-2018, 09:22 AM   #10
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With reference to height though, I not only have airbags in the truck but my Fifth Airborne pin box also has an airbag, so I actually have a couple of ways to raise the nose of the trailer when necessary.

Hmm, maybe the low bolt position.
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Old 03-07-2018, 09:28 AM   #11
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My 5th airborne says to fill until the pin plate is level.
Set the height where the trailer will be level.
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Old 03-07-2018, 01:01 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OutlawPilot View Post
With reference to height though, I not only have airbags in the truck but my Fifth Airborne pin box also has an airbag, so I actually have a couple of ways to raise the nose of the trailer when necessary.

Hmm, maybe the low bolt position.
On my Ford, I had to put the B&W and my pin box in the lowest position. At that point I am still towing slightly nose high; with minimum air in the bags. Mine is over the axle; never tried it any other way.
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Old 03-07-2018, 01:07 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OutlawPilot View Post
I've never towed a trailer like this so I have no point of reference. I'd like to start at a fairly "standard" position and only move it if necessary to solve a specific issue.

At this point I'm thinking the forward position (over the axle) and either the mid or low bolt placement because i have air bags to raise the bed if necessary to level.

Sound prudent?
No worries, we ordered our first fiver 2 weeks ago and I'm getting the same hitch and going into a '16 3500 DRW as well. Each truck is different, my 3500 doesn't sit has high as a GMC 3500 Denalli, but sits lower then a 350/450 DRW. As some mentioned, once you get it out of the dealers lot and take it home, when you get some time, take it to a flat lot/pad and make some adjustments if need.
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Old 03-07-2018, 05:14 PM   #14
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Looks like I may try it forward and low, then see how that looks at our campsite when it finally arrives there next month. Then adjustments. I suppose it should look pretty obvious that I need to go nose-higher.
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Old 03-07-2018, 05:40 PM   #15
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I will offer this: On my previous '11 Silverado 3500 Dually with a Reese hitch centered over the axle, per the scales I didn't add or remove any weight from the front axle. Changed to a Comfort Ride Hitch and they mounted it three inches behind the rear axle and that removed several hundred pounds from the front axle. I then moved it back to center and put the front axle back to no loss or gain.
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Old 03-11-2018, 08:04 AM   #16
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I had to put mine to the rear due to a clearance issue between my tailgate and the current fiver, I also have it in the lowest setting which gets the camper just a touch nose high. I will check to see if I can move to the forward setting with the Montana when we pick it up in about two weeks.
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Old 03-11-2018, 09:41 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rollingdownthehighway View Post
Just think, these are adjustable for a reason, just like the 5th wheels on big rigs, they can slide back and forth, the setup depends on each truck and each person, what works for one may not work for others. You'll have to tweak it to your truck and comfortably when towing
Quote:
Originally Posted by mlh View Post
I have a B&W hitch. Put it where you think you might need it and if that isn’t where you need it change it. We can’t tell you where you need it.
Lynwood
Ding...ding...ding! Co-winners again. There IS a reason for the multiple holes giving several options. You will have to try one and adjust to fit YOUR needs.
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Old 03-11-2018, 01:02 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rollingdownthehighway View Post
Just think, these are adjustable for a reason, just like the 5th wheels on big rigs, they can slide back and forth, the setup depends on each truck and each person, what works for one may not work for others. You'll have to tweak it to your truck and comfortably when towing
You are correct on the fore aft adjustment of the 5th wheel plate on the big rigs but it is never rear of the axle even in the rearmost position.
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Old 03-11-2018, 03:15 PM   #19
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... they mounted it three inches behind the rear axle and that removed several hundred pounds from the front axle. I then moved it back to center and put the front axle back to no loss or gain.
I'm not sure I follow you here. If they moved it to the rear and that REDUCED the weight on the front axle, then moving it back SHOULD have a gain... back to the weight prior to the reduction. Either mounting it to the rear changes front axle weight or it doesn't. Your statement suggests it does both.
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Old 03-17-2018, 10:03 AM   #20
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Ours is full forward and set at the middle height. We are pulling level and have plenty of bed clearance. TV is a 2011 F-350 SRW Long Bed, Extended cab pulling a 3400 RL
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