Post by ssnakeracer on Mar 26, 2013 16:40:41 GMT -5
Hitch advice followup. With thanks to the original repliers to my original question, which was:
Will the B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch mounted in a short bed F250 (2003) Crew Cab go to a full lock turn with no cab/cap interference with the 2013 Durango 1500 (model 2857 but this should be generic to all '13 1500 models).
This is a follow up to my own question of some months ago. For the benefit of those who may have similar concerns.
I’m pleased to say we received our new Durango 1500 in February and I’ve been working on a number of little upgrade projects since. However the first and most important issue was how well would the Durango 1500 mate with a Ford short bed 4wd 2003 F250 crew cab.
I previously had the B&W removable hitch pin installed several years ago in order to pull a 36” gooseneck race trailer, so half the setup was already in place. I purchased the Companion setup on the internet and it was delivered within 2 days, in two separate large boxes.
Installation of the Companion hitch was simple and the instructions were concise. If that isn’t enough you can go to the internet and find excellent video examples of installation. You will need some sturdy ½” drive sockets and a torque wrench that can pull up to 80lbs of torque.
For the purposes of initial installation I adjusted the Companion arms for both the highest and the farthest back position. Adjustments allow you a good four inches front and aft from center. Height adjustment allows for travel of about 4 inches.
We took a shake down run to Pine Mountain Ga, RV Resort just an hour away and while there were other items that made the “to do” list the hitch setup performed flawlessly. I can go lock to lock either way and not kiss the cab with the aerodynamic Durango 1500 cap, in fact its not even close. The photos show the truck and coach at a full lock left turn, no problems. A nice bonus was finding you can actually have both the truck bed gate and the front storage compartment door open while hitched straight ahead with no interference…..(although you would never want to move the vehicles in this position!).
The one thing I will need to adjust is the height of the arms.
While hitched and on a relatively level surface I took some measurements and the RV sits about 4 – 5 inches high from tail to nose. I can get it almost perfectly level if I drop the Companion arms down the full adjustment. (If your F250 truck is not a 4WD I think you’d likely find the highest setting is probably about right.)
This makes it far easier to pull in and set up for a quick nights sleep and just set the chocks and drop the stabilizers while staying hitched to the towing vehicle for a quick getaway the next morning.
If you are considering your hitch situation I can highly recommend the B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch set up for an 03 and similar Ford F250 SB Crew Cab.
Sorry, I haven't figured out how to get the photos up yet
Will the B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch mounted in a short bed F250 (2003) Crew Cab go to a full lock turn with no cab/cap interference with the 2013 Durango 1500 (model 2857 but this should be generic to all '13 1500 models).
This is a follow up to my own question of some months ago. For the benefit of those who may have similar concerns.
I’m pleased to say we received our new Durango 1500 in February and I’ve been working on a number of little upgrade projects since. However the first and most important issue was how well would the Durango 1500 mate with a Ford short bed 4wd 2003 F250 crew cab.
I previously had the B&W removable hitch pin installed several years ago in order to pull a 36” gooseneck race trailer, so half the setup was already in place. I purchased the Companion setup on the internet and it was delivered within 2 days, in two separate large boxes.
Installation of the Companion hitch was simple and the instructions were concise. If that isn’t enough you can go to the internet and find excellent video examples of installation. You will need some sturdy ½” drive sockets and a torque wrench that can pull up to 80lbs of torque.
For the purposes of initial installation I adjusted the Companion arms for both the highest and the farthest back position. Adjustments allow you a good four inches front and aft from center. Height adjustment allows for travel of about 4 inches.
We took a shake down run to Pine Mountain Ga, RV Resort just an hour away and while there were other items that made the “to do” list the hitch setup performed flawlessly. I can go lock to lock either way and not kiss the cab with the aerodynamic Durango 1500 cap, in fact its not even close. The photos show the truck and coach at a full lock left turn, no problems. A nice bonus was finding you can actually have both the truck bed gate and the front storage compartment door open while hitched straight ahead with no interference…..(although you would never want to move the vehicles in this position!).
The one thing I will need to adjust is the height of the arms.
While hitched and on a relatively level surface I took some measurements and the RV sits about 4 – 5 inches high from tail to nose. I can get it almost perfectly level if I drop the Companion arms down the full adjustment. (If your F250 truck is not a 4WD I think you’d likely find the highest setting is probably about right.)
This makes it far easier to pull in and set up for a quick nights sleep and just set the chocks and drop the stabilizers while staying hitched to the towing vehicle for a quick getaway the next morning.
If you are considering your hitch situation I can highly recommend the B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch set up for an 03 and similar Ford F250 SB Crew Cab.
Sorry, I haven't figured out how to get the photos up yet