B&W Trailer Hitches RVK3500 - Manual (Page 2)

PREPARING TO INSTALL
WARNING: Components of the Companion hitch are
heavy and cumbersome to handle. Failure to use
proper lifting techniques when moving and handling
these parts could result in property damage or
serious injury.
Check that the spacer under the locking bracket is
turned so that the hole in the spacer is positioned over
the socket post. If adjustment is needed, use a tool,
such as a screwdriver, to pry up and rotate the spacer.
Install the 1/2" x 3" cap screw (draw down bolt) into
the top of the Companion base, as shown in figure B3.
Thread the cap screw into the socket adjuster and
hand tighten until the bottom of the slot in the socket
adjuster is even with the bottom of the slot in the post
as shown in figure B4.
Locate the two plastic foot pads. Each pad attaches
to the base through a slot at the end of the base leg.
Before attachment, check the width of your bed rib by
setting the wide face the plastic foot in a bed rib, see
figure A1. If the plastic foot does not reach to the
bottom of the bed rib trough, turn the plastic foot over,
see figure A2 & A3. Locate four 1/4" machine screws,
1/4" flat washers, 1/4" lock washers and 1/4" finish
nuts. Insert the machine screw up through the bottom
of the foot pad through the slot and attach it with a
1/4" flat washer, 1/4" lock washer and a 1/4" finish nut,
see figure A3. Do not tighten hardware at this time, so
that the plastic foot is able to move back and forth in
the slot.
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.
Once you have established in which orientation the
socket post should be installed, locate the socket post
and eight 1/2" cap screws and 1/2" lock washers.
Slide the socket post into the bottom of the
Companion base and attach the socket post to the
base with the eight 1/2" cap screws and lock washers.
See figure B2. Do not fully tighten hardware at this
time.
INSTALL SOCKET POST
1.
3.
2.
1.
INSTALL COMPANION BASE
NOTICE: If truck is equipped with a removable bed liner
or mat, it should be removed or it must be cut to allow the
base to directly connect with the bed. It is acceptable to
install the RV base over a spray−in bed liner.
Check that the bed of the truck is clean, and that all
debris is removed before beginning installation.
NOTICE: Nissan Titan trucks:
Due to the configuration of the bed
ribs on Nisan Titan trucks, it will be
necessary for the foot pad to be
installed on top of a bed rib, see
figure A5.
NOTICE: If the Companion is to be used in conjunction
with a 1257 or 1309 model gooseneck hitch, call the
factory for a post that is compatible with these hitches.
FIGURE A4, Plastic foot pad installation.
FIGURE B2: View of base looking up at the bottom.
FIGURE A3
Narrow rib orientation.
FIGURE A1:
Wide rib orientation.
FIGURE A2
Incorrect orientation.
FIGURE B1: Cutaway view of Companion base with
both socket post positions shown.
FIGURE A5:
Titan rib configuration.
FIGURE B3: View of center of base
FIGURE B4: Cutaway
view of center of base.
BASE LEG
PLASTIC FOOT PAD
1/4" MACHINED SCREW
1/4" FLAT WASHER
1/4" LOCK WASHER
1/4" FINISH NUT
SOCKET
POST
1/2" LOCK WASHER
1/2" CAP SCREW
1/2" X 3" CAP SCREW
PLASTIC FOOT PAD
FOOT
SLOT
POSITION 2
PLASTIC
FOOT PAD
POSITION 1
CAB SIDE
OF TRUCK
SPACER
LOCKING
BRACKET
SOCKET
POST
SOCKET
ADJUSTER