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Post by midlotexan on Oct 24, 2019 18:14:41 GMT -5
Well, I pushed all my chips in, and bought a new F 350 long bed with the factory pucks.
My question is this, aside from spraying in a liner, can any bed mat or plastic type liner be used under the hitch?
I realize the area around the pucks would need to be cut out. I have heard conflicting opinions on mats/liners and hitches.
I'm leaning toward the Companion hitch from B&W.
As always, thanks in advance!
Kirt
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Post by Soleman on Oct 24, 2019 19:19:29 GMT -5
Hey midlotexan,
I was going to purchase the Companion hitch from B&W "the slider version" because it has the best reviews and I have a short bed truck.
The main reason I didn't go with that hitch is because I was trying to save on payload weight. I'm sure it would have been great but I decided to go with the Andersen Ultimate 5th wheel hitch and a B&W gooseneck turnover ball that it mounts to because together they weigh about 105 Lbs.
I have a Bed Rug and the only cut out is for the gooseneck ball, the Bed Rug actually helps the hitch base to stay put.
I only know what I've read and cannot offer any real world experience except on what I have used.
Good luck on whatever you choose, I hope it works out for you as well as my choice has.
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Post by Edd505 on Oct 24, 2019 20:07:06 GMT -5
B&W Companion in my F350 with factory pucks & spray-in-liner, smoothest of Reese, Husky & now the B&W. The B&W has never bound up and I can release it with one hand, not so with the other two.
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Post by nvguy on Oct 24, 2019 22:35:33 GMT -5
I have one of those rubber mats in the bed of my truck, I just cut out all around the hitch. Works fine.
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Post by laknox on Oct 24, 2019 22:54:07 GMT -5
Well, I pushed all my chips in, and bought a new F 350 long bed with the factory pucks. My question is this, aside from spraying in a liner, can any bed mat or plastic type liner be used under the hitch? I realize the area around the pucks would need to be cut out. I have heard conflicting opinions on mats/liners and hitches. I'm leaning toward the Companion hitch from B&W. As always, thanks in advance! Kirt Personally, I've had all 3 types and =much= prefer the spray-in liner. Even the rubber mat started getting hard after a few years in the AZ sun and stuff started really sliding around. Not so with the 2 trucks I've had with spray-ins. FWIW, I had the liner done before I installed my B&W Turnover Ball (DIY) and my Companion never moves when cinched down properly. B&W makes great products and is a great company to work with, should the need arise. If you buy new, and need something, they'll likely overnight it to you for free. I have the old-style Companion, that uses the u-bolts on the hold-down post, and they've sent me 3 or 4 new sets over the years because the nylock nuts they use will eventually come apart and bind up, forcing you to have to twist the bolt off to remove it. (One reason I carry a breaker bar and cheater in my kit.) I always save my old, good u-bolts and have a new set "up the spout" and stored in the truck. They also sent me a new "shock" that goes on the tilting head to help keep it from slopping sideways, when my old one leaked. Lyle |
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Post by midlotexan on Oct 25, 2019 14:35:05 GMT -5
Thanks for all the input. On Facebook marketplace, I found a 1 yr old Companion hitch, Ford ready. Pulled the plastic caps, latched it down, perfect tight fit.
The seller thru in a goose neck ball and the tie down hooks for the pucks as well.
All for about a third of new. A quick rinse and it looks like new.
I saved enough to spray the bed and buy the wife dinner! That always makes for a good day!
Kirt
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Post by laknox on Oct 25, 2019 15:49:47 GMT -5
Thanks for all the input. On Facebook marketplace, I found a 1 yr old Companion hitch, Ford ready. Pulled the plastic caps, latched it down, perfect tight fit. The seller thru in a goose neck ball and the tie down hooks for the pucks as well. All for about a third of new. A quick rinse and it looks like new. I saved enough to spray the bed and buy the wife dinner! That always makes for a good day! Kirt Awesome! You've got probably the best hitch made, and backed by the best company, IMO. FWIW, I have the old-style 16k Companion and plan to die with it as I never plan on having a rig heavy enough to need anything else. :-) Lyle |
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Post by nvguy on Oct 25, 2019 20:18:13 GMT -5
Great find midlotexan, those B&Ws are great hitches, very well built.
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Post by Edd505 on Oct 25, 2019 21:09:40 GMT -5
midlotexan nice find. I don't know if you got the instructions with that hitch but the nuts on the puck handles are supposed to be torqued to 80LBS. I just had my hitch out and they seemed loose going back in so I got the book out, yep I read the book, pull the cotter pins and check them.
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Post by midlotexan on Oct 26, 2019 20:10:51 GMT -5
I did not get the owners manual. I will double check the torque. Probably van down load a manual. The handles were stiff to lock, but not so tight that it took more then a good firm twist.
Previous owner, said he liked them harder to lock to make sure it was locked in.
Thank you for the tip!
Kirt
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Post by Chuck on Oct 27, 2019 12:00:35 GMT -5
midlotexan At the Kz rally we talked about B&W hitches, three of us had different type of B&W's but the overall agreement was that they were a great hitch to have no matter what model you had  Safe Travels Chuck |
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Post by midlotexan on Oct 27, 2019 21:00:14 GMT -5
I downloaded the manual today. So, this week will go thru all the nuts, bolts, and nooks and crannies to make sure it is all up to speed. We have the truck, the hitch, maybe this week our trailer deal will come together. My wife is working toward a 366, I'd rather do a 353, but either meets her needs!
Thanks again
Kirt
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Post by Edd505 on Oct 31, 2019 20:34:03 GMT -5
Love the 353 for two and we spend more than most in ours. We are about 3/4 time so out 8-9 months a year. The 35ft will get you into almost any camp sites, when you start getting close to 40ft you may have an issue in state parks.
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Post by midlotexan on Nov 2, 2019 8:20:16 GMT -5
Ok, I have a question about lube plates? Any brands better, wear longer or is good ole nasty grease the best why to go?
Thanks
Kirt
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Post by jetzen on Nov 2, 2019 11:46:18 GMT -5
Ok, I have a question about lube plates? Any brands better, wear longer or is good ole nasty grease the best why to go? Thanks Kirt I use a 12" Reese, lippert also makes a good one in their never fail. They will eliminate any noise and obviously eliminate the maintenance and mess associated with grease. You do have to watch the thickness of the lube plates, follow what ever the hitch manufacturer recommends. On a Demco like mine it is 1/4 inch max thickness. |
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Post by Edd505 on Nov 2, 2019 20:03:38 GMT -5
I still use the old nasty grease couple times a year. Never seen a lube plate on the big rigs, they all still use grease and do 1000's of miles a month.
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Post by laknox on Nov 2, 2019 22:19:13 GMT -5
I still use the old nasty grease couple times a year. Never seen a lube plate on the big rigs, they all still use grease and do 1000's of miles a month. And only weigh in 40-50k lbs more than 99% of FW RVs. I'll take a teflon lube plate any day. Only issue I've had is that they =will= get brittle over time, like 8-10 years. |
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Post by Chuck on Nov 3, 2019 13:49:11 GMT -5
I have used the teflon lube plate now on two 5th wheels an like it pretty well, shows no ware on the current one after almost 3 years, but I also use grease on the king pin as well ... Safe Travels Chuck |
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Post by midlotexan on Nov 3, 2019 16:57:27 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll be using a lube plate.
Put my hitch in today, to be ready Wednesday to go get the trailer.
Having pulled a pop up, 3 bumper pulls, but never a fifth wheel, I'm looking forward to it the process, With much respect!
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Post by Edd505 on Nov 3, 2019 18:54:08 GMT -5
Guess I may have to try a lube plate & wipe the grease.
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