B&W Trailer Hitches Companion Model 3500 User Manual

Model 3500, Warning, Install coupler

FIGURE F1: Underside

view of Coupler Head

B&W Trailer Hitches
1216 HWY 224 / PO Box 186

Humboldt, KS 66748

P:620.473.3664
F:620.473.3766

Companion™ Hitch Installation Instructions

20,000 LBS. TRAILER WEIGHT
5,000 LBS. TRAILER TONGUE WEIGHT

Call or Email us for Installation Support

[email protected] www.turnoverball.com

Model 3500

WARNING

Failure to comply with the safety information in these
instructions could result in serious injury or death.

Read all installation and operating instructions along
with all labels before using this product.

Without proper knowledge, towing can be a
dangerous activity. Understand all the risks involved
with towing before proceeding. For information on
towing safety, see "The Trailer Handbook: A guide
to Understanding Trailer and Towing Safety" from
the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers,
www.NATM.com.

Do not modify this product in any manner. Doing so
could alter its integrity and lead to a loss of attachment
between the trailer and the tow vehicle.

Regularly check that all bolted connections are at the
correct torque specification. A visual inspection should
be performed before each time you tow.

Do not exceed tow or tongue rating of coupler, tow or
tongue rating of hitch, or tow or weight ratings of truck
or trailer. See vehicle and trailer manufacturer
information for ratings. Exceeding these ratings may
cause damage to towing components or loss of
attachment between the trailer and truck.

Adding components to the chassis of any vehicle can
be hazardous. There is potential for damage to
vehicle, injury from tool usage and many other
hazards. This installation must be completed by
someone who is aware of the hazards involved. This
person must be knowledgeable of proper safety
procedures for a vehicle installation of this nature, and
for usage of the equipment required to perform the
installation.

INSTALL COUPLER

Lubricate the polyurethane bushings on top of pivot
arms with high grade lithium grease (available at
your local hardware/automotive store). Place the
coupler over the pivot arms. (The saddle handles
should be parallel with the base in the latched
position.) Place the saddle lock pins through the
saddle, then insert the hairpins through the holes in
the end of the saddle lock pins to secure the coupler
to the pivot arms, see diagram on front page

Approximately 15%−25% of the trailer weight should
be on the hitch.

WARNING: Do not use the Companion 5th wheel
hitch with any device that changes the location of the
king pin pivot point. The king pin on your trailer must
rotate in the jaws of the Companion Coupler, see
figure E1. Preventing the king pin from rotating within
the jaws of the Companion Coupler with a wedge,
see figure E2, or any other device, such as a Reese
Sidewinder or Reese Revolution , could result in
property damage, serious injury or death.

RVK3500 09 10 2013

REQUIRED TOOLS
Installation of the Companion hitch requires a large torque wrench
capable of measuring 80 ft−lbs, a 3/4" socket, and a 7/16" socket or
wrench

ATTACHING TRAILER

Remove the coupler cam handle safety pin and use
the cam handle to open the coupler jaws. Adjust the
height of the 5th wheel trailer so that the king pin
plate is slightly lower than the top of the coupler.
Back the truck towards the trailer, centering the
trailer’s king pin in the coupler, until the king pin has
engaged the jaws. Ensure that the coupler cam
handle has completely closed before inserting the
cam handle safety pin through the cam handle and
the coupler. Hook up brake and lighting connections
before towing.

PULL TEST

Have the truck stationary with the emergency brake
on, the trailer wheels blocked and landing gear still
resting firm on the ground supporting the weight of
the trailer. Make sure no one is between the truck
and trailer, return to the cab of the truck. Release the
emergency brake and apply the trailer brakes. Try to
pull the trailer forward with the truck. If the trailer is
properly hooked up, the wheel blocks and trailer
brakes should not allow the truck to move forward. If
trailer is not hitched correctly, the trailer will separate
from the truck. However, with the landing gear
resting firmly on the ground, it will support the trailer
and not allow it to drop or fall on the truck sides.

UNATTACHING TRAILER

Lower landing gear and block the trailer wheels.
Raise the trailer until the tongue weight is removed
from the truck. Then, unpin the Coupler handle and
rotate to the open position to unlatch the jaws. If the
jaws do not open, readjusting the landing gear may
relieve pressure and allow them to open. Use the
safety pin to lock the handle in the open position and
when you are sure that the landing gear will support
the trailer, move the truck forward to release the
jaws from the kingpin. The jaws will always open
when the pressure of the trailer is taken off the
Coupler as the truck pulls away.

UNINSTALL HITCH

To uninstall the Companion hitch, remove the
Saddle lock pins, grab the saddle handles and lift to
remove the Coupler from the pivot arms. To remove
the Companion base, loosen the draw down bolt and
retract the Turnoverball gooseneck latch pin handle
all the way out. Carefully lift and position the
Companion base out of the Gooseneck hitch socket.

Lubricate top surface of coupler with automotive type
chassis grease or use a nylon lube plate to provide a
lubricated surface.

Allow adequate clearance between the bed side and
the underside of the front of the trailer for pitch and
roll of the trailer.

The height of the king pin box and pivot arms should
be adjusted so that the trailer is approximately level
for towing.

Grease the saddle through
the grease zerk approximately
every six months with
mult−purpose grease. this
allows the coupler to pivot
freely, see figure F1.

Grease jaws with automotive
type chassis grease.

The Companion was designed to be used with the
Turnoverball™ mounting system. Other uses will
void the warranty and are expressly prohibited by
B&W Trailer Hitches.

HELPFUL TIPS:

Reese is a registered trademark of Cequent Performance Products.

NOTICE: All bolted connections should be checked
for the correct torque specification regularly. A
visual inspection should be performed before each
time you tow.

PARTS LIST

QTY

DESCRIPTION

ITEM

" X 1

" Hex Cap Screws

" Split Lock Washers

" Threaded block

Pivot Arm A

Pivot Arm B

" X 3" Hex Cap Screw

Socket Post

" X 1

" Machine Screw

" Finish Nut

" Flat Washer

" Lock Washer

Plastic Foot Pads

FIGURE E1;

Top view of coupler head.

FIGURE E2;

Coupler Head with

locking wedge.

GREASE ZERK

KING PIN

PIVOT POINT

WEDGE

BASE ASSEMBLY

COUPLER ASSEMBLY

COUPLER JAWS

COUPLER

CAM HANDLE

SAFETY PIN

COUPLER

CAM HANDLE

SADDLE

HANDLE

SADDLE

LOCKING

PINS

PIVOT ARM