B&W companion hitch setup w/303RLS, 2011 F-250 4x4, 6'8 box

Julie n Kevin

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My hitch (B&W model 3500) came today and was wondering where to locate the pivot arms. It appears there are 9 different positions. Feel free to chime in with your setup if you have one similar to mine.

Thanks!

Can't wait for camping season to get here!
 
I was hoping someone would come along that has that hitch with a Reflection to give you some direct feedback...not so far.

I looked up the installation instructions on that hitch...there's 3 vertical positions and 3 horizontal positions...9 combos.

You'll want to pick the vertical position that gets the camper relatively level with adequate clearance over the truck's bedrails. I don't know how high your truck sits, but I can tell you that the kingpin plate is 49 1/2" from the ground (when level) on our 337 and I'd expect the 303 to be the same. You'll have to assume some compression of the rear suspension with the pin weight...1-2" is reasonable. Of course if you have air bags installed YMMV...ideally you want both truck and camper level.

As far as the hitch placement horizontally, I'd want it as far rearward as you can as long as you're over or in front of the rear axle centerline...that way you maximize the clearance be the truck cab and camper.

Dave
 
The kingpin height will be very helpful! And I was planning on the furthest set back just for the reason you mentioned. Thanks!
 
It certainly depends on how close you are to your maximum towing weight also! We also are waiting for the arrival of our ordered 337 RLS, towing with a 2008 Ram 2500 Quad Cab long box 6.7 CTD with Air Lift 5000 bags. We also will be using the B and W Companion 3500. The height is well explained above, but my thought is that we want the hitch as far forward as possible to transfer some weight to the front axle of the truck, while making sure that we do have adequate cab to front of fifth wheel clearance. The downside to this strategy is that when turning the fifth wheel will track further inside the path of the tow vehicle, and backing up will be less responsive. Any input from others on factors I may be overlooking is very welcome!
 
As you have a long bed, you have the luxury of even considering placement in front of the axle centerline to move some pin weight forward. With the OP having a short box, this is something he couldn't consider. I can't say for my current TV, but the previous truck had the hitch 2" in front of the axle centerline and transferred 40 of the 1300 lb pin weight to the front axle...not really significant.

Dave
 
Dave, thanks for your insight and experience with weight distribution change with how the hitch is configured. It is nice that B and W gives us choices that work for the vehicle we have. I watched the videos on their website, and they are showing two different ways to install the base (where the hitch goes into the Turnover Ball). I might have missed it, but does anyone know how much it changes the hitch location fore and aft by how the base is positioned? Thank you all for your great spirit of helpfulness!
 
This reference is taken from the installation instructions...

"The socket post of the Companion hitch is designed to
have two mounting options. In most truck models, the
gooseneck socket will be forward of the axle and the
companion socket post will install towards the cab of
the truck (position 1). If your socket is located over the
axle due to the frame configuration of your truck, as it
is in the 2013 RAM 3500 trucks, install your socket
post so the post is towards the rear of the truck.
(position 2), see figure B1."

Here's the link to the installation instructions... http://www.turnoverball.com/sites/default/files/rvk3500_09_10_2013_0.pdf

It appears that depending where the socket is located relative to the rear axle centerline, you'd use position 1 or 2. The end result is that the hitch will be located over the axle.

Dave
 

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