B&W Hitch Issues

**AlexAder** · 08-03-2022, 04:32 PM

Hi,

2022 Solitude 310GK and GMC 2021 crew 3500 Std bed.

My first issue is my B&W sliding hitch seems to have a little play. I get a slight clunk when I stop and a slight clunk when I start. It's sliding on the rail, not the king pin. I haven't figured out how to get rid of the slack, if possible.

My second issue is that the point at which the jaw opening lever is free enough to open is different than the height at which the king pin is centered, free. I need to leave weight on the hitch to release the jaw without a lot of force on the jaw release lever. Then I have to raise the trailer a bit so it has just started to rise above the plate. The jaw closing lever closes by itself when I hitch the trailer.

Your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Alex and Karen

**Soundsailor** · 08-04-2022, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by AlexAder

Hi,

2022 Solitude 310GK and GMC 2021 crew 3500 Std bed.

My first issue is my B&W sliding hitch seems to have a little play. I get a slight clunk when I stop and a slight clunk when I start. It's sliding on the rail, not the king pin. I haven't figured out how to get rid of the slack, if possible.

My second issue is that the point at which the jaw opening lever is free enough to open is different than the height at which the king pin is centered, free. I need to leave weight on the hitch to release the jaw without a lot of force on the jaw release lever. Then I have to raise the trailer a bit so it has just started to rise above the plate. The jaw closing lever closes by itself when I hitch the trailer.

Your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Alex and Karen

Sorry, don't have that hitch so I can't answer your question. Searching the forum (https://www.google.com/search?q=mygr...client=gws-wiz) might help.

**huntr70** · 08-05-2022, 06:50 AM

Sounds like normal operation of a B&W slider.....

**AustexGP** · 08-28-2022, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by AlexAder

Hi,

2022 Solitude 310GK and GMC 2021 crew 3500 Std bed.

My first issue is my B&W sliding hitch seems to have a little play. I get a slight clunk when I stop and a slight clunk when I start. It's sliding on the rail, not the king pin. I haven't figured out how to get rid of the slack, if possible.

My second issue is that the point at which the jaw opening lever is free enough to open is different than the height at which the king pin is centered, free. I need to leave weight on the hitch to release the jaw without a lot of force on the jaw release lever. Then I have to raise the trailer a bit so it has just started to rise above the plate. The jaw closing lever closes by itself when I hitch the trailer.

Your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Alex and Karen

Bought my B&W Companion Slider Hitch in 2017. Last year it started doing the "clunking" when stopping and then starting, I called B&W customer service and they sent me a set of washers to put at the front of the slider hitch. This stopped the "clunking".

Another problem that has developed is that when we go to unhitch the "jaws" do not open. We pull the locking handle, but the jaws do not open. We are able to raise the 5th wheel to get the weight off of the hitch and slowly pull forward and then the jaws open. I contacted B&W again and they sent me instructions clean the coupler. They seem straight forward, however since we are leaving on a month-long trip in a couple of weeks, I am going to take the truck/hitch to a local hitch company to do the maintenance.

I have found that B&W customer service is most helpful.

**powerscol** · 08-28-2022, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by AustexGP

Bought my B&W Companion Slider Hitch in 2017. Last year it started doing the "clunking" when stopping and then starting, I called B&W customer service and they sent me a set of washers to put at the front of the slider hitch. This stopped the "clunking".

Another problem that has developed is that when we go to unhitch the "jaws" do not open. We pull the locking handle, but the jaws do not open. We are able to raise the 5th wheel to get the weight off of the hitch and slowly pull forward and then the jaws open. I contacted B&W again and they sent me instructions clean the coupler. They seem straight forward, however since we are leaving on a month-long trip in a couple of weeks, I am going to take the truck/hitch to a local hitch company to do the maintenance.

I have found that B&W customer service is most helpful.

You don't need the jaws to open to unhitch. That is the beauty of the B&W. As long as the locking lever is in the open position - at least 6 to 8" from closed you can just drive out of it. Make sure the weight is mostly off, but give it a try. My 25K B&W OEM Companion (heads are identical for all models) proved itself on my Alaska trip contending withe roughest roads and unlevel camping spots I found. No noise and worked perfectly. As long as I got the locking lever at least 1/2 open I could drive out - same with hooking up. As long as the king pin was below the hitch plate and locking arm open it locked up every time regardless of the angle.

Hope this helps

**AlexAder** · 09-01-2022, 07:00 PM

I was advised by someone in this forum to call B&W. I called and they are sending me washers that are supposed to address my clunking issue. It sounded like a common problem.