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B&W OEM Companion cleat lock adjustment questions

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  • #1

    B&W OEM Companion cleat lock adjustment questions

    Tomorrow I embark on a new quest. the Force and HAL say to ask first. And Yoda said failure is a great teacher - rather not have that lesson, so I am asking for the collective wisdom of the GD Fellowship here.

    Tomorrow I will be assembling and installing for the first time a Companion OEM Fifth Wheel Hitch.

    Now I have read the instructions several times and watched numerous videos, but none have answered the question I need an answered . Being the Holiday weekend I can't call B&W but I will come Tuesday.

    In the instructions it says adjust the castle nut to get a firm locking fit. Firm to me may not be firm to you. My neighbor with weak hand uses a rubber mallet, but his has been set for years. He is also a retired mechanic.

    Then the instructions say insert the locking cotter pin in the castle nut. Here is the ultimate question and I know the answer is not 42. To get the pin in do you tighten or loosed the nut if it does not fit? I am thinking tighten slightly. Is this correct? I ran across several videos that say tighten one full notch to load the locking cleat. One said put 50 FT/Lbs on the nut after locking - which I know is wrong per the B&W instructions.

    I may need to compress my impact mat in the initial install which is not an issue as over time it will compress and adjust in use. I plan to check periodically.

    I just don't want any play in the base.

    What locks are folks using on the locking cleat arms? I would like to get a set ordered, withe a 3rd keyed alike for the locking arm. Something good and weather proof if there is such a thing.

    Thanks for any help

    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.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Question 1..Tighten. A big NO to the 50ftpds. Mine are just tight enough that hitting the handle with the palm of my hand closes it.
    2...If the impact mat interferes with getting the hitch mounted tight to the puck sockets, cut it or get rid of it. If you think the mat will compress over time and you will adjust, it means the hitch was never mounted tight to the puck sockets to begin with.
    3...can't help there. Never put a lock on my 5th hitches. Never heard of an RV trailer being boosted while hitched to a truck yet. Boats? Yes, I lock those, a lot easier to steal than a fifth wheel.
    2018 Dodge 3500 6.7 Cummins w Aisin and 9 cup holders
    2021 303RLS
    Electricians were created because engineers need heroes too...

    Comment

    • #3
      Hi Keith,

      I am currently using a Reese adapter frame that attaches to the puck locations in a similar manner. I adjusted the castle nuts to a snug fit, requiring very little force to close the latching levers. This seems to result in no discernible play between the frame and the truck bed. I am not sure what affect your bed mat will have on this fit. I do use a padlock on the hitch to trailer arm, but I just use the lynch pins that came with the adapter plate to secure the hitch to puck arms in the closed position.

      Rob
      Attached Files
      Cate & Rob
      (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
      2015 Reflection 303RLS
      2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
      Bayham, Ontario, Canada

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      • #4
        Scott'n'Wendy
        Thanks Scott. I am sure the bed mat will not be an issue as before I bought I searched and found it compresses easily and just walking on it shows how flexible it is. The hitch weight alone should do the trick. I know its important to have the hitch frame directly on the pucks. It compresses the same as the std BedRug - just has a different surface.

        Cate&Rob
        Rob - thanks for the help. I have those locking clevis pins already and several other styles. They fit my tractor attachments.

        Should be a good day - a bit cooler with cloud cover.

        Thanks again
        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.

        Comment

        • #5
          Yoda Keith if you have not got the nuts set on the locking cams yet, adjust until you cannot uplift the hitch. As amazing as it may sound, the front of a 5er will experience a bit of uplift in the rare occasion and that makes strange gut wrenching noises. Snug fit to me is as mentioned before, a bit of force without pain and not using tools. If it takes an 8lb lead blow hammer, it's most likely too tight. This will however thwart thief as they will not have the tools needed to disengage the locks.

          If you are expecting the mat to compress under the weight of the trailer, set everything up without the cotter pins, hook up the trailer, and recheck the nuts. The extra tongue load from the trailer will tell you if there is compression in the mat. B&W may be able to supply extra spacers to help but I would not want to add any more parts to the equation than necessary.
          Joseph
          Tow           Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
          Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
          South of Houston Texas

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by Jlawles2 View Post
            Yoda Keith if you have not got the nuts set on the locking cams yet, adjust until you cannot uplift the hitch. As amazing as it may sound, the front of a 5er will experience a bit of uplift in the rare occasion and that makes strange gut wrenching noises. Snug fit to me is as mentioned before, a bit of force without pain and not using tools. If it takes an 8lb lead blow hammer, it's most likely too tight. This will however thwart thief as they will not have the tools needed to disengage the locks.

            If you are expecting the mat to compress under the weight of the trailer, set everything up without the cotter pins, hook up the trailer, and recheck the nuts. The extra tongue load from the trailer will tell you if there is compression in the mat. B&W may be able to supply extra spacers to help but I would not want to add any more parts to the equation than necessary.
            Haven not got to the hitch yet. Wanted the Retrax cover on to check clearance over the hitch. However I found a defect (factory overtightened screw cracked end housing) in the Retrax canister so they are shipping a new one out to me. Meanwhile I installed my DuraFlaps https://duraflap.com/ Took most of the day - tomorrow final adjustment. Fit is good.

            Now back to the mat. While doing the retrax I had my long level out and when I placed it across the pucks, it was about 1/6" high, but with very little hand pressure the mat compressed so I believe it will be a non issue. I believe the mat is softer than the BedRug I had, but it gets hotter in the sun.

            I do like your idea of once hooked up to recheck the locking jaw tightness

            Thanks for the help
            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.

            Comment

            • #7
              Yoda Keith I have a Reese hitch but I put padlocks in to hold the locking arms, I’m not worried someone will steal the hitch but more that some numb***s would think it’s funny to unlock the hitch while hooked up, I wouldn’t notice it and drive away hit a big bump and bang😳.
              Jim
              Jim and Cindy
              2021 F350 DRW 7.3L
              2021 320G

              Comment

              • #8
                Anyone who goes through the trouble of climbing into the back of a truck to mess with the locks will probably do other things. I'd be more worried about someone pulling the handle than the cam locks as most do not know how the hitch is attached, but that king pin lock handle has a nice pretty brightly colored handle. I snap the break away clip to the king pin lock. Not easy to put the snap back on with the handle pulled.
                Joseph
                Tow                 Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
                Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
                South of Houston Texas
                • Likes 1

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                • #9
                  I lock that too
                  Jim and Cindy
                  2021 F350 DRW 7.3L
                  2021 320G

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