B&W Trailer Hitches RVK3500 - Manual (Page 5)

FIGURE J1: Underside
view of Coupler Head
Approximately 15%−25% of the trailer weight should
be on the hitch.
WARNING: Do not use the Companion 5th wheel
hitch with any device that changes the location of the
king pin pivot point. The king pin on your trailer must
rotate in the jaws of the Companion Coupler, see
figure H1. Preventing the king pin from rotating
within the jaws of the Companion Coupler with a
wedge, see figure H2, or any other device, such as a
Reese Sidewinder or Reese Revolution , could
result in property damage, serious injury or death.
Copyright 2014, B&W Custom Truck Beds, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED RVK3500 02 04 2014
ATTACHING TRAILER
Remove the coupler cam handle safety pin and use
the cam handle to open the coupler jaws. Adjust the
height of the 5th wheel trailer so that the king pin
plate is slightly lower than the top of the coupler.
Back the truck towards the trailer, centering the
trailer’s king pin in the coupler, until the king pin has
engaged the jaws. Ensure that the coupler cam
handle has completely closed before inserting the
cam handle safety pin through the cam handle and
the coupler. Hook up brake and lighting connections
before towing.
PULL TEST
Have the truck stationary with the emergency brake
on, the trailer wheels blocked and landing gear still
resting firm on the ground supporting the weight of
the trailer. Make sure no one is between the truck
and trailer, return to the cab of the truck. Release the
emergency brake and apply the trailer brakes. Try to
pull the trailer forward with the truck. If the trailer is
properly hooked up, the wheel blocks and trailer
brakes should not allow the truck to move forward. If
trailer is not hitched correctly, the trailer will separate
from the truck. However, with the landing gear
resting firmly on the ground, it will support the trailer
and not allow it to drop or fall on the truck sides.
UNATTACHING TRAILER
Lower landing gear and block the trailer wheels.
Raise the trailer until the tongue weight is removed
from the truck. Then, unpin the Coupler handle and
rotate to the open position to unlatch the jaws. If the
jaws do not open, readjusting the landing gear may
relieve pressure and allow them to open. Use the
safety pin to lock the handle in the open position and
when you are sure that the landing gear will support
the trailer, move the truck forward to release the
jaws from the kingpin. The jaws will always open
when the pressure of the trailer is taken off the
Coupler as the truck pulls away.
UNINSTALL HITCH
To uninstall the Companion hitch, remove the
Saddle lock pins, grab the saddle handles and lift to
remove the Coupler from the pivot arms. To remove
the Companion base, loosen the draw down bolt and
retract the Turnoverball gooseneck latch pin handle
all the way out. Carefully lift and position the
Companion base out of the Gooseneck hitch socket.
Lubricate top surface of coupler with automotive type
chassis grease or use a nylon lube plate to provide a
lubricated surface.
Allow adequate clearance between the bed side and
the underside of the front of the trailer for pitch and
roll of the trailer.
The height of the king pin box and pivot arms should
be adjusted so that the trailer is approximately level
for towing.
Grease the saddle through
the grease zerk approximately
every six months with
multi−purpose grease. this
allows the coupler to pivot
freely, see figure J1.
Grease jaws with automotive
type chassis grease.
The Companion was designed to be used with the
Turnoverball
™ mounting system. Other uses will
void the warranty and are expressly prohibited by
B&W Trailer Hitches.
HELPFUL TIPS:
® ®
Reese is a registered trademark of Cequent Performance Products. ®
NOTICE: All bolted connections should be checked
for the correct torque specification regularly. Always
perform a visual inspection before towing.
FIGURE H1;
Top view of coupler head.
FIGURE H2;
Coupler Head with
locking wedge.
GREASE ZERK
KING PIN
PIVOT POINT
WEDGE