Getting B&W Companion Hitch in/out of truck bed

[suzhou]

I can lift and move a fair amount of weight when needed but even in two pieces the B&W Companion Hitch is a tough lift from the ground into the bed of my F350. It's quite a way up from the ground to the tailgate. I figured I was eventually going to slip or hurt myself or the truck getting it in and loading ramps would have to be very long to make the incline worth the trouble to put them out. I looked and looked and finally went with a Rack Jack designed for deer hunters to be able to field dress a deer and then swing it over into the truck bed. They're not that expensive on Amazon, easy to set up (three pieces) and also make it easy to get my generator and other heavy items into the truck. I cut some off of the vertical support tube since I didn't need it to be as tall as it would need to be to hang a deer. Weight limit is 300lbs. It works fine. I use a small dolly to make the final 4' trip from the bed to where the hitch sets into the bed pucks and just set it down into the holes and lock it down. Never have to lift it. I have a small wooden platform on casters that I store the hitch on so can just roll it into the garage and then roll it out to load.

 

[bertschb]

THat's a great solution. I ended up getting a ceiling mounted electric hoist from Harbor Freight for $99. My hitch weighs 160lbs and can be broken into two pieces but the hoist is so fast and easy that there is no reason to lift anything. Like you, I also put the hitch on a furniture dolly once removed from the truck bed.

This is where all the Anderson hitch owners will chime in now...

 

[suzhou]

I haven't tackled getting the F350 DRW into the garage yet but plan to soon. A ceiling hoist like yours will be in order once I do. I have one garage bay where the truck will fit (barely) but I need to move some cabinets and other garage stuff out of the way first. Ironic that the newest and most expensive vehicle we own sits outside while my daughters banged up teenager ride and the golf cart sit inside. Something I have to fix just on principle.

Yep, I figured the Anderson hitch folks might pile on. Oh well, I studied before I bought and think this is the best solution. Yep it's heavy but once it's installed there is no doubt it's got a firm grip on the trailer and pulls just great.

 

[bertschb]

I had to cut the back inside wall out of my garage to get the truck to fit in there. It fits now with about 2" to spare in front. I have to set the parking brake when I get backed all the way in otherwise the truck will roll forward just enough when placed in Park that the garage door won't close. It's a tight fit but well worth having the truck inside the garage. And yes, you do need to correct your situation just on principle

 

[AustexGP]

The ceiling hoist is a great idea, but like many others my truck sets out while the DW car stays in the garage. I used a foldable shop crane from Harbor Freight to lift out an place on furniture dolly to roll into garage. The Anderson Hitch is heavy, but when I'm pulling the 5th wheel I know I have a sturdy setup.

 

[offtohavasu]

Great review of the product. I considered the same, for the hitch, generator, and tool box. Thanks for the review!

 

[AustexGP]

OOPS - Said Anderson Hitch but meant B&W companion slider hitch. Monday isn't it!

 

[TucsonJim]

Why not pull the pins on the base of the hitch and raise it out of the truck with the FW landing gear? Once the hitch is raised enough, drive the truck out and re-level the FW. Then leave the hitch attached to the king pin for storage.

Jim

 

[raybbj]

Thanks for sharing. I didn't know these existed. I've put this on my shopping list.

 

[Eugenebytes]

Why not pull the pins on the base of the hitch and raise it out of the truck with the FW landing gear? Once the hitch is raised enough, drive the truck out and re-level the FW. Then leave the hitch attached to the king pin for storage.

Jim

That's exactly what I did with my B&W last winter, it worked great!

 

[suzhou]

Never thought of that but not sure I would want to leave my hitch hanging off the end of my trailer king pin while in storage. Just seems a piece of low hanging fruit for someone to come and take even if I find a way to chain and lock it to the trailer. Our storage lot is a safe place but would be quick work to back under it, cut a chain and drop it into the back of a truck and drive off. Wouldn't it make re-connecting a really tricky process? Trying to line up the 4 puck holes to the hitch cams sound a lot harder than just lining up the pin and locking it in.

I searched and searched for truck cranes and could not find any that didn't require a lot of work to mount or were heavier than what I was trying to put in the truck. Almost gave up and then noticed these, which are under a different category of lifts, and saw a few reviews of folks using them for just what I wanted to do rather than lifting deer off the ground. Each piece (3) is light enough to handle and put in place. Depending on your receiver you will notice that when you swing it to the side it tilts a little. It's not a precision pivot point, no bearings just a square tube over a round tube with a little play in the connection. My receiver has two sleeves inside to adapt to larger size inserts to there is a bit of play there plus the lift play. It works fine and is designed to support the load but it does make you a bit uneasy to see it tilt to the side a bit when you swing it around.

 

[AustexGP]

Well I had mine hanging off of the king pin. Sister walked into it - nine staples in her head. Don't think that was such a good idea. Not just that it might get stolen, but we all open the slides and then walk into the corner, open a cabinet door then bump our heads. So I can imagine opening the front storage compartment, standing up turning around and "BAM". Was going to post picture, but decided the mental image was not as bad as the real image. OUCH!

 

[Bamaman]

Instead of a B&W Companion hitch, I went with the slightly lighter 16K B&W Patriot fifth wheel hitch mounted to rails. The Patriot model breaks into two parts in about 2 seconds, and I have no problem lifting either piece. I store it and roll it to the back of my truck on a swivel wheel Harbor Freight furniture dolly.

 

[Walter-MGRV]

I bought an engine hoist and extended the reach. Works like a champ.


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[blckgnx]

Instead of a B&W Companion hitch, I went with the slightly lighter 16K B&W Patriot fifth wheel hitch mounted to rails. The Patriot model breaks into two parts in about 2 seconds, and I have no problem lifting either piece. I store it and roll it to the back of my truck on a swivel wheel Harbor Freight furniture dolly.

4-10 on the Pat
riot. I'm 72 with a cable holding right shoulder together, have major heart problems and a bad knee, and find it very easy to pull the Patriot in and out of the truck! Just re-read this? Other than that I'm in "good" shape. LOL Ron

 

[RamGunner]

I found that when the base for the Companion for the Ram is placed on the ground below the truck bed, I can lift one end and the the puck interfaces just catch the lip of the tailgate. I can lift one end into that position, then lift the other end and slide the base into the truck. It's 130 pounds but that makes it manageable. I'm in reasonable shape though, even after a shoulder surgery.

I found this for an even easier solution. http://www.ramgunner.com/stark_crane.html

The deer lift looks like a great idea too. I never even considered something like that.

 

[Mapnut]

There is no way I will try to lift my B&W 18k Patriot hitch, way to heavy even in 2 pieces. I went with the electric lift mounted to garage rafters. I four corner it with four motorcycle tie downs. Like others, I wheel it out of the way with a furniture dolly. Going from a TT to 5th wheel has been a bit of a "Now What" experience.

 

[Mickey D]

Went with the OP's suggestion and ordered the deer hoist. Thx!

 

[mcurqu]

Just received my Rack Jack and put it to work on removing my 5th wheel hitch. The assembly was minimal (and easy) and the removal evolution was performed without the strain and pain I've experienced in the past. This is an excellent solution and not that expensive....way cheaper than my back. I have a Ram 2500...lifting the hitch in and out, let alone muscling it into place has been a challenge until now. Nice, functional recommendation from Suzhou! Thanks

 

[Ron_ster]

I always wonder how much and how often you really need the bed of the truck empty of the hitch?