B&W Trailer Hitches RVK3600 - Manual (Page 5)

Approximately 15%−25% of the trailer weight should
be on the hitch.
Copyright 2014, B&W Custom Truck Beds, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED RVK3600 03 18 2014
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.
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, remove the latch pins from
each base leg and turn the handles. Carefully lift
and position the base out of the attachment points.
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 multi−purpose
grease. This allows the coupler to pivot freely, see
figure G1.
Grease jaws with automotive type chassis grease.
HELPFUL TIPS:
NOTICE: All bolted connections should be checked
for the correct torque specification regularly. Always
perform a visual inspection before towing.
Remove the coupler cam handle safety pin and open
the cam handle. Adjust the height of the 5th wheel
trailer so 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.
ATTACHING TRAILER
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 F3. Preventing the king pin from rotating within
the jaws of the Companion Coupler with a wedge,
see figure F4, or any other device, such as a Reese
Sidewinder or Reese Revolution , could result in
property damage, serious injury or death.
®
Reese is a registered trademark of Cequent Performance Products. ®
®
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
UNINSTALL HITCH
FIGURE G1: View under coupler.
FIGURE F3;
Top view of coupler head.
FIGURE F4;
Coupler Head with
locking wedge.
GREASE ZERK
WEDGE
KING PIN
PIVOT POINT