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    Having never owned a travel trailer or 5th wheel before, I had searched here and some other forums for random information and couldn’t find it so hopefully this may help someone out there if they have the same questions. Have a 2022 F350, 7.3L, SRW, CCSB, 4.3 rear axle, factory gooseneck 5th wheel prep package, Bakflip MX4 tonneau cover. Picked up a used B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch. Had no idea which setting to use, so just guessed. Ended up setting it up so kingpin was 1” in front of axle and on the medium height. We picked up a 2021 Grand Design 337RLS, with the B&W set like this I had right around 6” of bed clearance and was able to leave the tonneau cover folded flat and not up against the back window. Put the truck in tow/haul mode, set the cruise on 65 in MO(posted speed limit), kicked it up to 69mph on the turnpike in KS. Truck did great hauling the 5th wheel home. The Companion hitch is solid, no slop.
    Craig & Theresa
    2022 Ford F350, SRW, CCSB, 7.3L, 4.30 rear axle, Lariat Ultimate, 4x4, Ford Pro Trailer Backup Assist, factory gooseneck 5th wheel prep package
    New to us 2021 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS using a B&W Companion slider hitch

  • #2
    Originally posted by cnote72 View Post
    Having never owned a travel trailer or 5th wheel before, I had searched here and some other forums for random information and couldn’t find it so hopefully this may help someone out there if they have the same questions. Have a 2022 F350, 7.3L, SRW, CCSB, 4.3 rear axle, factory gooseneck 5th wheel prep package, Bakflip MX4 tonneau cover. Picked up a used B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch. Had no idea which setting to use, so just guessed. Ended up setting it up so kingpin was 1” in front of axle and on the medium height. We picked up a 2021 Grand Design 337RLS, with the B&W set like this I had right around 6” of bed clearance and was able to leave the tonneau cover folded flat and not up against the back window. Put the truck in tow/haul mode, set the cruise on 65 in MO(posted speed limit), kicked it up to 69mph on the turnpike in KS. Truck did great hauling the 5th wheel home. The Companion hitch is solid, no slop.
    Is the trailer towing level? Maybe a picture. I myself like to have 7", but 6 should work - you will need to pay attention to drive entrances. I have a similar truck except the 6.7 and have the hitch set as you do. That position seem to work very well.

    Hope this helps
    Keith
    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

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    • #3
      Yoda Just eyeballing truck and trailer looked pretty level. We actually didn’t get any pictures all hooked up. Moving the rails on the hitch to the highest position would gain me the extra inch. I don’t know that my eyeball would be able to tell if the hitch was 1” higher, level wise. Next time we hitch up I will try to find some level parking lot, check the incline meter reading on the Ford dash, pretty sure it gives degrees of level. If that is at 0°, I could put a 4’ level along the trailer frame and see how level it really is I guess. Or is that overthinking it? I mean raising the hitch to the highest position to gain the extra inch of bed rail clearance isn’t really going to make the trailer really nose high, would it?
      Craig & Theresa
      2022 Ford F350, SRW, CCSB, 7.3L, 4.30 rear axle, Lariat Ultimate, 4x4, Ford Pro Trailer Backup Assist, factory gooseneck 5th wheel prep package
      New to us 2021 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS using a B&W Companion slider hitch

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by cnote72 View Post
        Yoda Just eyeballing truck and trailer looked pretty level. We actually didn’t get any pictures all hooked up. Moving the rails on the hitch to the highest position would gain me the extra inch. I don’t know that my eyeball would be able to tell if the hitch was 1” higher, level wise. Next time we hitch up I will try to find some level parking lot, check the incline meter reading on the Ford dash, pretty sure it gives degrees of level. If that is at 0°, I could put a 4’ level along the trailer frame and see how level it really is I guess. Or is that overthinking it? I mean raising the hitch to the highest position to gain the extra inch of bed rail clearance isn’t really going to make the trailer really nose high, would it?
        Interesting- I have never used or even looked at my incline meter on the dash. All I have done is measure wheel well height front and rear when loaded and trailer frame to ground front to rear when hooked up. I am in the same hole as you on the hitch setting so that should be good. Perhaps your bed cover frame sticks up higher. I am currently riding nose high by about 1". It used to be more but I upgraded to 16" tires from 15". I also measure clearance at several locations. Those are nose of trailer to top of bed rail by hitch, rear corner of bed rail, and the bump in the tailgate at the center - which happens to be the closest at 6.25", the rest (measuring both sides) are close to 7. Measurement were taken at Wally World parking lot in a flat spot

        My goal is to have the trailer be level or within 1/2" either way. Right now I have more wear on my rear tires

        Good luck and safe travels
        Keith
        2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

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        • #5
          Yoda Went back to storage site so I could get the trailer down to KS Highway Patrol for an inspection since we bought it out of state. Anyways, still forgot to take pictures, but I did remeasure bedrail clearance, pretty consistently had 7” or a touch more. Storage site is gravel, somewhat flat, took a picture of incline meter and attached. Flat stretches of road would show 0°, think I’m pretty level, or at least close enough not to jack with, sleeping dogs.
          Craig & Theresa
          2022 Ford F350, SRW, CCSB, 7.3L, 4.30 rear axle, Lariat Ultimate, 4x4, Ford Pro Trailer Backup Assist, factory gooseneck 5th wheel prep package
          New to us 2021 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS using a B&W Companion slider hitch

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by cnote72 View Post
            Yoda Went back to storage site so I could get the trailer down to KS Highway Patrol for an inspection since we bought it out of state. Anyways, still forgot to take pictures, but I did remeasure bedrail clearance, pretty consistently had 7” or a touch more. Storage site is gravel, somewhat flat, took a picture of incline meter and attached. Flat stretches of road would show 0°, think I’m pretty level, or at least close enough not to jack with, sleeping dogs.
            While the truck is level (that whats the dash is indication), the trailer may not be. If your still hooked up measure trailer frame front corners and rear corners to the ground. That should tell you if the trailer is level. Hope I have not confused you.
            2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

            Comment


            • #7
              Nope, no confusion. Back at home, will have to measure some other time. Just figured if truck was riding level, trailer would be close, but maybe not. I’ll either measure at the corners or grab a 4’ level and put it up to the frame sometime. Thanks for all the help.
              Craig & Theresa
              2022 Ford F350, SRW, CCSB, 7.3L, 4.30 rear axle, Lariat Ultimate, 4x4, Ford Pro Trailer Backup Assist, factory gooseneck 5th wheel prep package
              New to us 2021 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS using a B&W Companion slider hitch

              Comment

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