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Old 11-11-2018, 11:49 PM   #1
Jimmer
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Problem with my B&W Companion Hitch

I have a B&W Companion Hitch. Went to unhook and it would not unhook. The jaws will not open. When I move the lever it does not move the jaws. Acts like something might be unhooked or broken in the hitch. With the lever open I tried to pry the jaws open but they would not move. I did not pry too hard did not want to break something. The hitch is about 7 years old. Any ideas? I have a 2015 Ford Platinum Short Bed and a 2014 Montana 3582RL.

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Old 11-12-2018, 04:08 AM   #2
jeffba
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I have a new B&W I sometimes have the same issue. just putting the truck into reverse or drive is enough to relieve the binding on the jaws to allow it to open.

I find it is worse the worse the 5er is level side to side.
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Old 11-12-2018, 05:02 AM   #3
RoadRunnerTR21
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Had a similar situation last Friday. I just pulled forward several feet and reversed to our target position and it worked fine. First time it has ever happened. I think the king pin was pressed into the jaws and would not allow them to release.
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Old 11-12-2018, 05:49 AM   #4
mlh
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If that hitch is in a bind it will NOT open. If it’s not level with the truck, the camper pulling it to one side. Get a hammer crawl up in the bed of your truck and beat on the jaws, might help. Move the truck back and forward, easily pull and push on the camper with the landing gear down, raise the camper up and down. What ever it takes get it out of a bind.
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Old 11-12-2018, 06:59 AM   #5
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If moving back and forth a little doesn't do it, call B&W before you beat on it. They are great to work with.
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Old 11-12-2018, 07:11 AM   #6
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I have had that happen 3-4X. I 'corrected' it by jockeying the combo back and forth. I will admit that the first time was a bit disconcerting but once figured out, not really a problem. My hitch is 9 years old and has about 50K miles otherwise uneventful towing 12K plus 5ers
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Old 11-12-2018, 07:44 AM   #7
Golfmedik
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When the camper is raised by the jacks and still has pressure on the jaws, the handle will not release them. When this happens, I get back in the truck and put it in neutral and release the brake for a second. That is usually enough to take the pressure off. It's only happened a few times in the 35k miles I've pulled them.
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Old 11-12-2018, 11:47 AM   #8
Theunz
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I think that the OP is stating that the handle IS moving, just not opening the jaws. If that is indeed the case than there is probably a pin or something that has come loose. You need to look under the hitch and see if you can find the problem. If necessary, you can remove the pins that attach the hitch to the bed and then raise the trailer high enough to clear the rails and drive out, leaving the hitch suspended from the trailer. This will give you more room to see under the hitch, along with enabling you to use yor truck. Good luck, it should be simple!
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Old 11-12-2018, 12:50 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Theunz View Post
I think that the OP is stating that the handle IS moving, just not opening the jaws. If that is indeed the case than there is probably a pin or something that has come loose. You need to look under the hitch and see if you can find the problem. If necessary, you can remove the pins that attach the hitch to the bed and then raise the trailer high enough to clear the rails and drive out, leaving the hitch suspended from the trailer. This will give you more room to see under the hitch, along with enabling you to use yor truck. Good luck, it should be simple!

What the OP stated is exactly what has happened to mine. Either totaly level the TV and RV and it will come free - or move tthe combo back and forth .
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Old 11-12-2018, 02:38 PM   #10
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Yikes it sounds like this brand hitch is problematic. I have an older Valley hitch that I have used at 45 degrees or better to hookup or to unhook. But I have a long bed truck.
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Old 11-12-2018, 03:12 PM   #11
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Luckily you have one of the least problematic hitches on the market. And you have the luxury of locking the handle open while trying to unhitch. The FW and hitch are not agreeing with each other. Open the handle, install the little pin to hold the handle open, remove all pressure from the truck and FW. Sometimes, backing up first will release it. I’ve had it happen before on our previous B&W. Once you get it released, remove the whole head of the hitch and soak it down with penetrating oil, and grease everything. Mine never did it again after oiling it down. Good luck.
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Old 11-12-2018, 09:07 PM   #12
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I was a truck driver for 40 years. I would set the trailer brakes while moving forward to tighten the king pin against the jaws of the fifth wheel. This stopped idiots from being able to pull the fifth wheel lever. Same on campers. Just back up and pull forward to release the pressure off of the king pin.
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Old 11-12-2018, 10:45 PM   #13
Jimmer
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You were right on. The hitch was in a bind. Back and Forward it released. Thanks for the reply.

Jim
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Old 11-12-2018, 10:54 PM   #14
Jimmer
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B & W Hitch

I did call B & W Tech Line and the gentleman said this is not uncommon. He recommended opening the handle and put the pin in the hole that will hold it open. Back up and then pull forward. It worked perfect and released. Thanks for all of the helpful answers.

Jim
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Old 11-13-2018, 08:03 AM   #15
mhs4771
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Actually that's the sign of a good hitch, nice and tight vs the ones that release very easily and the King Pin chucks back and forth in the loose Jaws.
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Old 11-13-2018, 08:15 AM   #16
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B & W needs to redesign their hitch. The jaws are forced closed with the handle. The jaws also need to be forced open with the handle. A simple redesign that would help when this occurs.
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Old 11-13-2018, 03:57 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mlh View Post
B & W needs to redesign their hitch. The jaws are forced closed with the handle. The jaws also need to be forced open with the handle. A simple redesign that would help when this occurs.
Lynwood
I disagree as once the handle is closed, you really don't have to put the pin in it to keep it closed due to it will NOT open unless someone releases the pressure AND pulls the handle to the open position. More of a safety feature. In all the miles I've towed with it, it's happened less than 5-6 times.
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Old 11-13-2018, 04:29 PM   #18
Jimmer
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B&W hitch

Golfmedik, not sure if I agree with that last comment. You said you really don’t have to put the pin in it because the pressure will keep the jaws closed. I had a acquaintance that drove their vehicle with out putting the pin in it. Went quite awhile and probably hit a bump and it was enough to open the jaws. It was ugly.

Jim Bonhote
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Old 11-13-2018, 04:30 PM   #19
mlh
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Originally Posted by Golfmedik View Post
I disagree as once the handle is closed, you really don't have to put the pin in it to keep it closed due to it will NOT open unless someone releases the pressure AND pulls the handle to the open position. More of a safety feature. In all the miles I've towed with it, it's happened less than 5-6 times.
I don’t think I made myself clear. This isn’t a safety issue. This has nothing to do with the pin to keep the jaws closed. Now when the handle is pulled it closes the jaws. Fix the handle so when it is pulled forward the jaws haft to open.
I camp in some rough places where some people wouldn’t take their truck. My camper can get the hitch in such a bind that it is almost impossible to get it unhooked. Having the hitch jaws designed where they had to open would sure be a help. At times all you can do to get unhooked is to raise the landing gear move a short distance and try again.
Lynwood
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Old 11-13-2018, 06:19 PM   #20
bshgto
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This has happen to me one to many times, Bought the one with no moving parts to bind. I think it was raining and the wife asking if the water was on yet.
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