We use the companion on my dad's f350. We have noticed that when we loosen that single bolt we have to get it in just the right spot. If we don't loosen it enough it won't come out, and if we loosen in too much it actually gives us the same trouble you're having right now.
Mine done the same thing. But it was my bad 😂 the pin didn’t go all the way through. So when I torqued it down it bent the rod just enough it wouldn’t release without some major cursing and pulling. After I removed the base I had my wife release it as I watched from the top. It was bent just enough to bind up. I just got her to pull it out until it started binding and whacked it back down until it was working properly again. Learning curve for me. I’ve had B&W in all my trucks and love them. They are heavy but I have no doubt about it failing when towing.
I installed a winch in the roof of my garage. Pulling it out is pretty straight forward. However I find that damn release handle to be VERY tricky as well. I always struggle getting it to release.
I had the same hitch but switched to an Anderson 1 1/2 years go. Love the Anderson. Unbolt it in less than a minute then hand it to my wife (who is 62) and she hangs it on the garage wall.
Having the exact same issue right now. This hitch sucks. I have the slider hitch, waaaay worse getting that heavy pig out. You’re right on the bar getting bent by that top bolt.
Lmao this video is cracking me up. Did you read the instruction on installing that? 60 ft pounds of torque on that bolt not enough to bend the rod!! Lol
Here’s how I remove mine: 1. Wait until a cool morning. After all, no one wants to do this while it’s hot! 2. Spray the pin that runs through the connection with WD-40. Wait about five minutes. 3. Use a hammer and a piece of 2X4 and use slight leverage to ease it out. 4. Have your wife or another helper hold the pin out of the way. 5. Pull out the Companion This is usually all it takes.
I was looking for a video to help me decide whether I want a 5th wheel or travel trailer. I wanted to know how hard it is to remove a 5th wheel hitch. 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
What a pain in the ass that is. I have the B&W Companion but my Ford uses the 4 puck system instead of that release handle BS. It's like butter to take in and out!
I bought the slider last week from a guy for half the cost of a new one. Same thing. He said he used the slider 10% of the time. I also have a short bed. Now I'm kinda thinkin. Also I'm not sure why people are trying to take this base piece out by themselves. Lol. It's pretty heavy
Why in world go through that same shit every winter just because the truck sets durning the winter? I can see taking the hitch out since you use the truck but not the damn fuel tank that’s just damn nuts. But to each their own.
Loosen your ubolts first, that'll allow you some movement when you pull your bent pin. Remember to torque them down to 80 ftlbs. when you reinstall. The pin bolt you torque to 40 ftlbs.
The top bolt that you losses about the safety bolt there is another bolt beneath that lock that is torque down on the rod that you can not pull out. Google the directions
Installation manual for RVK3500 says tighten draw down bolt to 60 ft-lbs. That value should not bend that rod unless the rod is made from cheap material. Which this isn't. But a torque wrench. They're not that expensive.
Great, informative, funnier than shit video! Just purchased a 3500 Tradesmen with the B & W hitch. Any advice outside me learning from your discomfort?
I swapped my B&W Companion slider for a Reese Goosebox so that there was nothing to put in the bed. Best money I've ever spent. The B&W is well made but freaking heavy and too much for me to get in and out by myself. The Goosebox pulls like a dream.
97minitaco I have the companion as well. I love it. Great hitch. But I agree it is heavy. And I have been thinking about the goose box. How is it holding up?
I ended ip pulling the 8 bolts on the side to free that pos up. It worked. No one tells you how much to loosen that top safety bolt anywhere. Shitty design….
I dont think theres any reason to tighten that bolt and mess up ur release handle. Goosenecks dont have that. If anything just snug it. Yours needs replaced.
Man, it's not that difficult. Keep everything greased and it won't seize up on you like that. When you pull the gooseneck release pin to remove the hitch, clamp some visegrip pliers on the rod to keep it from snapping back into place.
That outside dent is from something slid in the truck bed against the rear and hit/pushed the panel out. Companion fifth wheel hitch really is a B**** to remove I see it .... lucky I choose to use real rails which are embedded into my truckbed flush so when I remove my 22K Reese hitch it's just a flatbed with flush rails installed. STAY AWAY FROM RHINO !!!!! LINE-X with UV protection is the only way.
We use the companion on my dad's f350. We have noticed that when we loosen that single bolt we have to get it in just the right spot. If we don't loosen it enough it won't come out, and if we loosen in too much it actually gives us the same trouble you're having right now.
Thanks for the video. BTW, the B&W release is PULL and then slide to the left, which keeps it unlocked. (at least on mine)
Mines the same
Mine done the same thing. But it was my bad 😂 the pin didn’t go all the way through. So when I torqued it down it bent the rod just enough it wouldn’t release without some major cursing and pulling. After I removed the base I had my wife release it as I watched from the top. It was bent just enough to bind up. I just got her to pull it out until it started binding and whacked it back down until it was working properly again. Learning curve for me. I’ve had B&W in all my trucks and love them. They are heavy but I have no doubt about it failing when towing.
I installed a winch in the roof of my garage. Pulling it out is pretty straight forward. However I find that damn release handle to be VERY tricky as well. I always struggle getting it to release.
I had the same hitch but switched to an Anderson 1 1/2 years go. Love the Anderson. Unbolt it in less than a minute then hand it to my wife (who is 62) and she hangs it on the garage wall.
Eight to this video this truly help me out for my first time taking out my hitch!
I love my old school four pin attached Trailer Saver Airride hitch.
😂😂😂you make my morning God bless you for that🤣😂
Having the exact same issue right now. This hitch sucks. I have the slider hitch, waaaay worse getting that heavy pig out. You’re right on the bar getting bent by that top bolt.
They changed the design now , instead of pressing down on the rod it wraps around and pulls up on the rod , haven't heard of one bending yet
You could probably contact B&W and get a replacement latch pin if it's giving you that much trouble. They have great customer service and warranty.
I got a brand new 5th wheel and goose neck on my 350 and had same trouble I have to pry the goose neck to losses it out
i sprayed penetrating oil down from the top and it loosened up very nicely. Mine was stuck the same way.
Lmao this video is cracking me up. Did you read the instruction on installing that? 60 ft pounds of torque on that bolt not enough to bend the rod!! Lol
I do mine to 60 ft pounds every time and mine gets stuck the same way! It's a terrible design with the pull rod off-set. I feel this guy's pain! lol
Here’s how I remove mine:
1. Wait until a cool morning. After all, no one wants to do this while it’s hot!
2. Spray the pin that runs through the connection with WD-40. Wait about five minutes.
3. Use a hammer and a piece of 2X4 and use slight leverage to ease it out.
4. Have your wife or another helper hold the pin out of the way.
5. Pull out the Companion
This is usually all it takes.
Nice job bro
Log chain and a comealong
lol...by the time you got it out, it was spring and time to put it back in!!
Truth
This video cracked me up but it also gave me hope that I can remove my hitch, it's frozen from rust I think.
I was looking for a video to help me decide whether I want a 5th wheel or travel trailer. I wanted to know how hard it is to remove a 5th wheel hitch. 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
What a pain in the ass that is. I have the B&W Companion but my Ford uses the 4 puck system instead of that release handle BS. It's like butter to take in and out!
Hello new friend! I wish I would have went with something lighter! I have the slider since I have a short bed but I’ve never used it!
I bought the slider last week from a guy for half the cost of a new one. Same thing. He said he used the slider 10% of the time. I also have a short bed. Now I'm kinda thinkin. Also I'm not sure why people are trying to take this base piece out by themselves. Lol. It's pretty heavy
Thought the release rod was supposed to be to be moved forward or back to disengage. I have one will have to check tomorrow
I’m not sure how yours releases but mine pulls out to release and push in to lock it.
Are you running to 3400 or the 3405 base?
You over torqued the shit out of that safety bolt, that is why your pin is bent and will not slide out with ease.
Nope
I gotta remove my B&W slider hitch. Its definitely rusted in. I've never removed the hitch 😳
Why in world go through that same shit every winter just because the truck sets durning the winter? I can see taking the hitch out since you use the truck but not the damn fuel tank that’s just damn nuts. But to each their own.
Loosen your ubolts first, that'll allow you some movement when you pull your bent pin. Remember to torque them down to 80 ftlbs. when you reinstall. The pin bolt you torque to 40 ftlbs.
which u bolts are you referring to?
The top bolt that you losses about the safety bolt there is another bolt beneath that lock that is torque down on the rod that you can not pull out. Google the directions
Wow, that sucker, lol, so did you get it taken care of? Mines is the puck system and I have one. Sorry man I had a good laugh, funny.
The instructions say to tighten the bolt to 40 lb ft for a reason. Most likely over tightened it at least once.
Mine says 80 ft pounds right on the washer thats under the bolt.
Installation manual for RVK3500 says tighten draw down bolt to 60 ft-lbs. That value should not bend that rod unless the rod is made from cheap material. Which this isn't. But a torque wrench. They're not that expensive.
Great, informative, funnier than shit video!
Just purchased a 3500 Tradesmen with the B & W hitch. Any advice outside me learning from your discomfort?
Don’t over torque the draw down bolt.
I feel for you ... that's hernia making stuff right there.
Maaaaan you was just ASKIN to dent up that Vette.
I swapped my B&W Companion slider for a Reese Goosebox so that there was nothing to put in the bed. Best money I've ever spent. The B&W is well made but freaking heavy and too much for me to get in and out by myself. The Goosebox pulls like a dream.
97minitaco I have the companion as well. I love it. Great hitch. But I agree it is heavy. And I have been thinking about the goose box. How is it holding up?
It’s absolutely heavy as hell!
I ended ip pulling the 8 bolts on the side to free that pos up. It worked. No one tells you how much to loosen that top safety bolt anywhere. Shitty design….
I love all of the "FUCK"
Funny shit bro. .this video has to be a comedy skit right?
I dont think theres any reason to tighten that bolt and mess up ur release handle. Goosenecks dont have that. If anything just snug it. Yours needs replaced.
Man, it's not that difficult. Keep everything greased and it won't seize up on you like that. When you pull the gooseneck release pin to remove the hitch, clamp some visegrip pliers on the rod to keep it from snapping back into place.
I wish it was that easy. Everything is properly greased it’s just a pain in the ass
That outside dent is from something slid in the truck bed against the rear and hit/pushed the panel out. Companion fifth wheel hitch really is a B**** to remove I see it .... lucky I choose to use real rails which are embedded into my truckbed flush so when I remove my 22K Reese hitch it's just a flatbed with flush rails installed.
STAY AWAY FROM RHINO !!!!! LINE-X with UV protection is the only way.
I swear more than you when working on things.
Why not show us how to mow a lawn???
Take out the hitch!!!!
Not gas tank, not back panel.....WTF!!!
🤷🏼♂️🤣
This was painful to watch.