Anyone that uses the Companion 5th wheel hitch and has problems w/ the head tilting away from the pinbox when the hitch is unlatched due to the lever, here is what I did. I drilled a 3/32" hole in front of the head and also in the front of the baseplate and hooked a 7" long spring to keep the head tilting towards the pinbox. I'd show a picture, but don't know how to do that on this site. I think you can figure it out.
Ed

That's the one thing that annoys me about the companion. I often do something similar with a bungee cord, and have thought about putting in a spring but just never got around to it...

Thats funny I did the same thing and also cut off half the handle so it wouldn't interfere with my tool box. Works for me.

Maybe someone should forward these ideas to B&W.

It would be nice if it came with a spring, or just a little more weight on the back edge of the hitch from the factory...

We also have the Companion fifth wheel hitch, but I guess I don't understand the problem. So the hitch tilts backwards...what's the big deal? It's never been a problem for us when hooking up.

The only problem is that the 5th wheel should be 1/2" or so low relative to the hitch when hitching up. The 5th wheel then slides up onto the hitch's load plate when the truck backs under the 5th wheel. By doing this, "high hitches" are prevented.

If the hitch is tilted back, this is a seamless operation. If it is tilted forward (as is the natural inclination of the B&W hitch), then someone has to tilt it back as the truck backs up, or the 5th wheel has to be raised enough to clear the back of the hitch, then lowered to the desired 1/2" low position once the hitch load plate is under the 5th wheel load plate and before the kingpin engages the hitch jaws.

Rusty

Linda,
Congrats on it not being a problem, but it is for most. You have to have the height perfect to hitch up or the leading edges of head get wedged between the pinbox and glide ride plate.
Ed

quote:

Originally posted by RustyJC:
If it is tilted forward (as is the natural inclination of the B&W hitch), then someone has to tilt it back as the truck backs up

Yes, and that's exactly what we do.

Linda,

Glad that works for you. In our case, Sandy is too short to reach over the side of the bed to tilt the hitch back. Therefore, the spring solution eliminates the need to tilt the hitch manually or to raise then lower the 5th wheel.

Rusty

Rusty,
I'm with you. I don't want any part of my wife's anatomy in that area when hitching up. Especially when it is not necessary.
Ed