Ouch !! Sorry that you damaged your tail gate! Everyone has at least one (or more) story of things not going as planned. Having said that. Your video was very very helpful and I appreciate you taking the time to produce it and share it. The aerial shots are very telling. I'm not sure that I'd every want to put myself in a position where the truck is perpendicular to the trailer. Happy camping !!!
I also have the Companion Slider Fifth Wheel Hitch in my Ram, I have an overhead chain hoist to remove and install my hitch. It takes me about 30 minutes from start to finish to complete the job. I build a wood frame on casters to stow my hitch out of the way in my shop.
Have driven fifth wheel trailers for years. Always used a permanently mounted, frame supported ball. No fuss, no muss. Bed clearance was not a problem.
I have that same BW slider. Four years and have never used it. Two reasons.. I have not needed it and it looks like it would be super close to my tailgate. I always take the hitch off the baseplate. Makes things easier and faster. I have taken the baseplate out of my truck several times by myself and honestly I don’t recommend that. I usually have my brother drop by to help. I store it in the off season on a furniture dolly that I picked up from Lowe’s. Makes it easy to push around the garage. IMO BW is the only way to go unless you have a certain need for a hitch with more options. I feel like the BW is built for a lifetime and their customer service is top notch. I had bent one of my safety pins and couldn’t find a replacement. I called BW and they mailed me two replacements at zero charge even though it was my mistake. They just thanked me for buying/using their product. Two days later I had the replacement pins in the mailbox. Hard to beat that kind of service these days. Off topic question but what drone do you use? I use the mini3 pro but thinking of getting the mini4 pro. Thanks for the video.
Your tug test is correct. Never raise the front stabilizers an inch then perform a tug test. 1. It adds tons of weight to the plate making it harder to slide off if not properly locked. 2. The RV, with all it's weight, will come crashing down those 1 or 2 inches with a thundering BOOM... Who knows what damage occurred. One of my rookie day mistakes.... I'll never make that mistake again. If it slides in easy and didn't lock, it'll disconnect just as easy. All I do is put it into drive and ride the brake. Let the trucks torque tug. Reverse tug, then forward one more time. Visual inspection. Is the handle all the way in? Is the kingpin's center in the jaws? Jaws closed, etc.?
I decided to go with a b&w turnover ball and a goosebox on the camper. It is a little more work you have to connect safety chains and you have to raise it along higher to unhitch But it rides well and when I need my bed I just remove the ball. Also I did buy a 4inch offset ball.
My opinion is this. I own a 2019 Dodge RAM with the puck system. I own a Curt Slider Hitch. Weighs about 328 lbs. My slider has been required twice. I MUST LEAVE THE TAILGATE OPEN WHEN USING THE SLIDER!!! The tailgate does not hit my trailer. Getting the Curt in/out is much easier than this B&W gooseneck system. It comes out in one piece, using the Demco Model 6100 kingpin hook and a shop crane.
So how do you prevent the shooting force and avoid damaging the tailgate? I have a 2018 Ram 3500 megacab and will probably buy the B&W slider and don't want to damage anything.
I had someone else say they always took the tailgate off. I swapped to the Anderson and it works well. If I used the slider an had it installed, I would tell them you want to make sure it’s properly adjusted and tested. Personally I found it unnecessary but I think the mega cabs are even shorter. I could have adjusted it but it would’ve had less movement range in the forward position. I’d personally check out the Reese goosebox or Anderson (for a smaller rig).
If you don’t mind me asking what size is your truck bed. I have a ram 1500 with a 5ft 7inch bed and trying to make sure it would work with my truck bed and 5th wheel! Thanks
If you have a garage you could install a chain fall to remove the hitch. Or build something like a swing set to mount the chain fall. I’d be willing to bet that we have all messed up a tailgate at some point! Did mine on the second trip!
I had a hoist but couldn't find anywhere to pull my truck under with enough clearance. I have been using the Andersen hitch since directly after this video. Pulled it about 15k miles with no issues
Great video, sux about the tailgate. I use the companion hitch but not the slider. My camper has the lippert true turn hitch which makes it like a slider and moves the turning point under the nose of the rv. Works great in tight places. Have fun at Fort Mountain, now your in my neck of the woods.
I have the Anderson and absolutely love it. We have a 2018 ram 2500 short bed towing a 32ft Genesis Supreme toy hauler. I cant get a full 90 but it is really close. great video
I have that B&W slider and I had scraped the tailgate protector the first time I brought the camper home....but my scrape was because the factory mounted the wiring junction box on the back of the pin box. Of course I had to remove and relocate the box after scraping up my tailgate protector.
We have a b&w companion non-slider in a long bed. I’m prob going to do a video this weekend on my hitch. I never owned a 5er before so I didn’t want to deal with the slider, but our dually is 22 feet long, it’s a beast
I like what you said but I have a Anderson and for a 40 trailer it makes my trailer squirly I just bought a companion we are going to try it. My 36 foot trailer we were fine ? Just saying
The Andersen works great for my 29’. I did like the strength and ease of hookup with the companion but it was just so hard to get in and out... and I think my pin in my turnover ball is bent because it’s very hard to disengage... which made it even harder
This hitch is a monumental pain in the azz. They don’t go in east and even harder to remove. I have one and it’s a pain. I used two hand carts, one on the front that my kid used, and one on the back. We had to wiggle each hand cart rather hard at opposing times to wiggle it out. Some of the finish has been ground off to make it a little easier but it’s still a pain in the azz. My plan is to park the trailer, put the landing gear down, and see if I can release the hitch while still hooked to the camper. I’ll put some spacers under it and unhook the camper at that point. Hitch should remain partially in the gooseneck hole then hopefully it will come out easier.
I want to get an anderson, but this hitch makes it so quick and easy to hookup and go. I have sites i go to that have hills to come out of the river areas. I slide the vamper back on these areas and on tight uturns in culda sacs.
Overall in my situation I do like the Andersen better, but the companion was way easier and faster to hitch and unhitch... as well is no doubt stronger
There were a couple problems with that for me... my pin sticks on my gooseneck. I really need to get around to looking at it. #2 my rig is parked on a public street with little security
I had a B&W slider hitch also but I never use it so when I bought another truck that had the puck system in it I choose not to get another slider but a B&W non-slider for my puck system and so far it's good, but of course also my 5th wheel noise is curves. I don't think that I will never have to get it up to 90% or something like that and if I need to go back and get it in a better angle I will, I would love to try out the Anderson Hitch but at the time I wasn't sure if I wanted to get one but now I am learning more about them.
Hi Gimpy, should you open the tail gate to slide back ? can you turn with the tailgate open ? your video is now 3 years old, do you still use your Companion today ?
No, I swapped to the Anderson. I think if I was starting fresh I w do the gen-y or the Reese goosebox. I do not have enough clearance to turn with the tailgate down
@@mbriggs4627 it will obviously depend on the truck. My problem was I had someone install it and just assumed everything was fine. I never needed to use it and only did to make this video. The hitch could be configured a couple different ways but it seems like if I changed it I would loose clearance when not sliding it but it’s been a few years. I love the hitch but didn’t love getting it out of the truck
@@mbriggs4627 send me an email to thegimpycamper@gmail.com. I may have something you can have to help with that process. You can have it free if you want to ship it
I had a Andersen Liked it except it started to get cracks in the welds I went with a GEN Y Gooseneck I’ll never look back I did purchase a B&W slider because I operate a hauling business And need to be able to haul all types of RVs
over head crane will make it easy lol. I have this exact hitch, but the cabof my truck has a fairing kind of thing on it that stick out about an extra 3 inches. i can only turn about 30 degrees without the slider. i used your video as the how to for direction
I will say i had to use the slider twice, really ended up saving me. I have a tractor and use the bucket and a chain in the kingpin to pull it out. Plus The b&w just rows more solid.
Gimpy Camper I really did want the Anderson, have a few friends that have it. At the end of the day I have a tractor and plenty of room to store it. May have been a different story if I lived in town.
I on the other hand had the Anderson Hitch in my shortbed GMC 2500 and jack knifed it causing 5,000 dollars damage to the cab. So after installing the slider I can slide back and make the turns needed in the camping spots. I sold the Anderson big mistake...
I saw another video on TH-cam where that hitch dented a dodge tailgate. I have that hitch on my GMC Sierra with a short bed but haven’t had that problem. That sucks. Also I purchased an electric hoist from Harbor Freight and rigged it up in my garage to remove my hitch.
B&W has been nothing short of a nightmare for me. Why ANYONE would install a B & W hitch system in their truck is beyond me. You are cursing your truck’s next owner to a world of problems! The ONLY advantage to this system is no bed rails BUT for that you will pay HEAVILY ! DO NOT INSTALL A B&W system in your truck! Some local installers are THANKFULLY warming people about B & W
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Ouch !! Sorry that you damaged your tail gate! Everyone has at least one (or more) story of things not going as planned. Having said that. Your video was very very helpful and I appreciate you taking the time to produce it and share it. The aerial shots are very telling. I'm not sure that I'd every want to put myself in a position where the truck is perpendicular to the trailer. Happy camping !!!
Thank you, I’m glad you found it helpful. I thought the drone shots helped a lot too
I also have the Companion Slider Fifth Wheel Hitch in my Ram, I have an overhead chain hoist to remove and install my hitch. It takes me about 30 minutes from start to finish to complete the job. I build a wood frame on casters to stow my hitch out of the way in my shop.
I have the exact same setup in my garage. Winch in the ceiling and a caster cart to store it. Works great.
Have driven fifth wheel trailers for years. Always used a permanently mounted, frame supported ball. No fuss, no muss. Bed clearance was not a problem.
Thanks for watching
I have that same BW slider. Four years and have never used it. Two reasons.. I have not needed it and it looks like it would be super close to my tailgate. I always take the hitch off the baseplate. Makes things easier and faster. I have taken the baseplate out of my truck several times by myself and honestly I don’t recommend that. I usually have my brother drop by to help. I store it in the off season on a furniture dolly that I picked up from Lowe’s. Makes it easy to push around the garage. IMO BW is the only way to go unless you have a certain need for a hitch with more options. I feel like the BW is built for a lifetime and their customer service is top notch. I had bent one of my safety pins and couldn’t find a replacement. I called BW and they mailed me two replacements at zero charge even though it was my mistake. They just thanked me for buying/using their product. Two days later I had the replacement pins in the mailbox. Hard to beat that kind of service these days. Off topic question but what drone do you use? I use the mini3 pro but thinking of getting the mini4 pro. Thanks for the video.
DJI mavic pro (original)
That was a really good informative video. Liked and subscribed
Thanks friend
Awesome to share nice B&W car. Good luck to hit 1K soon, Big like #21
We've been looking at a short bed as well. This is the exact hitch we've been considering. Thanks for the review!! Corey (Salty Escape)
Good info about the hitch. Thanks for sharing. Safe travels.
Thanks again
Your tug test is correct. Never raise the front stabilizers an inch then perform a tug test.
1. It adds tons of weight to the plate making it harder to slide off if not properly locked.
2. The RV, with all it's weight, will come crashing down those 1 or 2 inches with a thundering BOOM... Who knows what damage occurred. One of my rookie day mistakes.... I'll never make that mistake again.
If it slides in easy and didn't lock, it'll disconnect just as easy. All I do is put it into drive and ride the brake. Let the trucks torque tug. Reverse tug, then forward one more time. Visual inspection. Is the handle all the way in? Is the kingpin's center in the jaws? Jaws closed, etc.?
I’m using the Andersen hitch now so I don’t tug test anymore, but yes it’s important
Gravity, thou art a heartless bitch!
I have an Anderson Hitch for my toy hauler. I love it. Easily removes in about 30 seconds. Tows awesome
That’s what I’ve had for the last few years and 20k miles
I decided to go with a b&w turnover ball and a goosebox on the camper.
It is a little more work you have to connect safety chains and you have to raise it along higher to unhitch
But it rides well and when I need my bed I just remove the ball. Also I did buy a 4inch offset ball.
My opinion is this. I own a 2019 Dodge RAM with the puck system. I own a Curt Slider Hitch. Weighs about 328 lbs. My slider has been required twice. I MUST LEAVE THE TAILGATE OPEN WHEN USING THE SLIDER!!! The tailgate does not hit my trailer. Getting the Curt in/out is much easier than this B&W gooseneck system. It comes out in one piece, using the Demco Model 6100 kingpin hook and a shop crane.
Thanks for such a great informative video!
+J.T.S. OUTDOOR LIFE Thanks!
So how do you prevent the shooting force and avoid damaging the tailgate? I have a 2018 Ram 3500 megacab and will probably buy the B&W slider and don't want to damage anything.
I had someone else say they always took the tailgate off. I swapped to the Anderson and it works well. If I used the slider an had it installed, I would tell them you want to make sure it’s properly adjusted and tested. Personally I found it unnecessary but I think the mega cabs are even shorter. I could have adjusted it but it would’ve had less movement range in the forward position. I’d personally check out the Reese goosebox or Anderson (for a smaller rig).
If you don’t mind me asking what size is your truck bed. I have a ram 1500 with a 5ft 7inch bed and trying to make sure it would work with my truck bed and 5th wheel! Thanks
So much great info! Thanks for sharing.
+Nomadic In Nature thanks for watching friend!
If you have a garage you could install a chain fall to remove the hitch. Or build something like a swing set to mount the chain fall. I’d be willing to bet that we have all messed up a tailgate at some point! Did mine on the second trip!
I had a hoist but couldn't find anywhere to pull my truck under with enough clearance. I have been using the Andersen hitch since directly after this video. Pulled it about 15k miles with no issues
Thanks for sharing this great video buddy
+John Ames thanks for watching!
My son is looking to buy a fifth wheel I'll tell him about this hitch thank you for sharing I sent him your video
+rv lucky thanks for watching!
Great video, sux about the tailgate. I use the companion hitch but not the slider. My camper has the lippert true turn hitch which makes it like a slider and moves the turning point under the nose of the rv. Works great in tight places. Have fun at Fort Mountain, now your in my neck of the woods.
I had looked into those too.
I have the Anderson and absolutely love it. We have a 2018 ram 2500 short bed towing a 32ft Genesis Supreme toy hauler. I cant get a full 90 but it is really close. great video
We went to the Andersen too. I’ve been happy with it. Have a few videos on it already
I have that B&W slider and I had scraped the tailgate protector the first time I brought the camper home....but my scrape was because the factory mounted the wiring junction box on the back of the pin box. Of course I had to remove and relocate the box after scraping up my tailgate protector.
Isn’t it nice of these dealers that install these to test those limitations!
The red lifting bracket he shows is the DEMCO Model 6100. Works great using a Shop Crane
We have a b&w companion non-slider in a long bed. I’m prob going to do a video this weekend on my hitch. I never owned a 5er before so I didn’t want to deal with the slider, but our dually is 22 feet long, it’s a beast
+Downsizing Makes Cents I think I’m going to switch to the Andersen
I like what you said but I have a Anderson and for a 40 trailer it makes my trailer squirly I just bought a companion we are going to try it. My 36 foot trailer we were fine ? Just saying
The Andersen works great for my 29’. I did like the strength and ease of hookup with the companion but it was just so hard to get in and out... and I think my pin in my turnover ball is bent because it’s very hard to disengage... which made it even harder
This hitch is a monumental pain in the azz. They don’t go in east and even harder to remove. I have one and it’s a pain. I used two hand carts, one on the front that my kid used, and one on the back. We had to wiggle each hand cart rather hard at opposing times to wiggle it out. Some of the finish has been ground off to make it a little easier but it’s still a pain in the azz. My plan is to park the trailer, put the landing gear down, and see if I can release the hitch while still hooked to the camper. I’ll put some spacers under it and unhook the camper at that point. Hitch should remain partially in the gooseneck hole then hopefully it will come out easier.
to get your hitch out an in the truck use a engine cherry picker an a ratchet strap looped as a 4 way
I installed an Andersen hitch today... Easy breezy
Thanks for the advice ...
+TERRY. W thanks for visiting
I have this hitch and use my harbor freight cherry picker to remove and install mine. Love it.
I’m glad it’s working for you.
I want to get an anderson, but this hitch makes it so quick and easy to hookup and go. I have sites i go to that have hills to come out of the river areas. I slide the vamper back on these areas and on tight uturns in culda sacs.
Overall in my situation I do like the Andersen better, but the companion was way easier and faster to hitch and unhitch... as well is no doubt stronger
Great information, Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching
i have the bw companion slider, i was given a tip for removing it.
simply raise your fifth wheel and pull away, leave the hitch on the fifth wheel..
There were a couple problems with that for me... my pin sticks on my gooseneck. I really need to get around to looking at it. #2 my rig is parked on a public street with little security
I had a B&W slider hitch also but I never use it so when I bought another truck that had the puck system in it I choose not to get another slider but a B&W non-slider for my puck system and so far it's good, but of course also my 5th wheel noise is curves. I don't think that I will never have to get it up to 90% or something like that and if I need to go back and get it in a better angle I will, I would love to try out the Anderson Hitch but at the time I wasn't sure if I wanted to get one but now I am learning more about them.
I wish you could try before you buy... lol
@@GimpyCamper yeah, me to but it might be in the near or far future still.
Hey, dope video! What's the song that started playing around the 7:35 mark if you don't mind me asking?
Sorry but I’m not sure what the song is... it’s one of Filmora’s songs included in their software
@@GimpyCamper okay thanks anyway
Hi Gimpy, should you open the tail gate to slide back ? can you turn with the tailgate open ? your video is now 3 years old, do you still use your Companion today ?
No, I swapped to the Anderson. I think if I was starting fresh I w do the gen-y or the Reese goosebox. I do not have enough clearance to turn with the tailgate down
@@GimpyCamper Dang we just bought a Companion, was it ever possible to slide back without killing the tail gate ? thanks
@@mbriggs4627 it will obviously depend on the truck. My problem was I had someone install it and just assumed everything was fine. I never needed to use it and only did to make this video. The hitch could be configured a couple different ways but it seems like if I changed it I would loose clearance when not sliding it but it’s been a few years. I love the hitch but didn’t love getting it out of the truck
@@GimpyCamper Thank you Gimpy, we are blessed to have a small tractor with a front fork set up that just might come in handy.
@@mbriggs4627 send me an email to thegimpycamper@gmail.com. I may have something you can have to help with that process. You can have it free if you want to ship it
I had a Andersen
Liked it except it started to get cracks in the welds
I went with a GEN Y Gooseneck
I’ll never look back
I did purchase a B&W slider because I operate a hauling business
And need to be able to haul all types of RVs
My Andersen has been good for 20k miles so far but my trailer is pretty light
@@GimpyCamper that’s awesome
Mine is 37’ and only weighs in about 14k
over head crane will make it easy lol. I have this exact hitch, but the cabof my truck has a fairing kind of thing on it that stick out about an extra 3 inches. i can only turn about 30 degrees without the slider. i used your video as the how to for direction
Really great and Top Info Video 💖
Thanks!
Good information. I've been considering a PullRite glider, but after hearing you experience, I may get their 2400 instead.
Have a great day, my friend!
I will say i had to use the slider twice, really ended up saving me. I have a tractor and use the bucket and a chain in the kingpin to pull it out. Plus The b&w just rows more solid.
The B&W is more solid for sure.
Gimpy Camper I really did want the Anderson, have a few friends that have it. At the end of the day I have a tractor and plenty of room to store it. May have been a different story if I lived in town.
Great info we are campers as well
+M Langford thanks and welcome to the channel!
Selamat pagi dan salam kenal saya dari indonesia
Sangat mantap pak hasil karya nya ...
Kalau saya boleh tahu daya angkut berapa pak
what length shorter bed did you have?
6’4”
I on the other hand had the Anderson Hitch in my shortbed GMC 2500 and jack knifed it causing 5,000 dollars damage to the cab. So after installing the slider I can slide back and make the turns needed in the camping spots. I sold the Anderson big mistake...
My Andersen works fine for me, but I get a little paranoid on real sharp turns... I’ll admit that
I have a Chevy short bed also and considering this slider hitch. Have you ever hit your tailgate?
Very nice hitch
I saw another video on TH-cam where that hitch dented a dodge tailgate. I have that hitch on my GMC Sierra with a short bed but haven’t had that problem. That sucks. Also I purchased an electric hoist from Harbor Freight and rigged it up in my garage to remove my hitch.
Luckily it’s not bad, but I still hadn’t fixed it... it really made me mad though. I switched to the Andersen and have been very pleased so far.
really nice review.
Thanks for watching!
Had an Andersen and it bent, no apparent reason, no misuse , only normal towing , no emergency stops.
Going with the B&W now. Done with Andersen.
What was the weight of your trailer
Gimpy Camper , no 13500# with 2500# pin weight. Bent where it bolts down to the ball in the bed.
Thanks for the review. Good job.
Dodge told me to remove the tail gate so I would not hit it. I have a 25ft 5th wheel with a 1500 ram eco diesel.
Great video!
Thanks
I use a engine lift. I bought one on next door.
Do you know the reason my 5th Wheel chuckling or what ever they call it when I’m turning ? I have a Rees hitch on a 2000 f - 250 pulling a 30 ft
Sorry man, I’ve never had that problem very much at all with either of my hitches so I can’t help very much with that.
the weight is about 268 lbs. according to their sight.
Maybe use an engine hoist to install/remove
Don’t have to worry about that anymore...
th-cam.com/video/1F9mFnRzfak/w-d-xo.html
B&W has been nothing short of a nightmare for me. Why ANYONE would install a B & W hitch system in their truck is beyond me. You are cursing your truck’s next owner to a world of problems! The ONLY advantage to this system is no bed rails BUT for that you will pay HEAVILY ! DO NOT INSTALL A B&W system in your truck! Some local installers are THANKFULLY warming people about B & W
You make some pretty strong claims with no reasons why. It’s odd because just about everyone runs b&w