B W 3405 Companion 20K Trailer Hitch Instruction Manual
- June 1, 2024
- B W
Table of Contents
B W 3405 Companion 20K Trailer Hitch
Product Specifications
- Model: CompanionTM 20K Slider Hitch (Model 3405)
- Trailer Weight Capacity: 20,000 lbs
- Trailer Tongue Weight Capacity: 5,000 lbs
Product Usage Instructions
Required Tools
Installation of the slider hitch requires a large torque wrench capable of measuring 110 ft-lbs, a 3/4 socket, a 7/16 socket, a 9/16 socket or wrench, a 7/32 Allen wrench, and a hammer.
Installation
- Ensure you have all the required tools mentioned above.
- Read all installation and operating instructions and labels before using this product.
- Attach the slider base to the Turnoverball gooseneck hitch.
- Secure the slider base according to the instructions using the specified bolts and nuts.
- Follow the guidelines for towing safety and ensure not exceed the weight ratings of the coupler, hitch, truck, or trailer.
- Do not modify the product in any way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use this slider base with all Turnoverball gooseneck hitches?
- A: This slider base will work with all Turnoverball gooseneck hitches except GNRK1309 and GNRK1257.
Q: What is the importance of maintaining proper towing stability?
- A: Towing stability greatly depends on keeping the center of gravity as low as possible. Load heavy cars over the axles and avoid towing with a single car on the front of the trailer.
- Additionally, ensure to maintain reasonable speeds based on roadway conditions to prevent damage and loss of attachment between the truck and trailer.
Q: What should I do if I need installation support?
- A: You can contact hitches@turnoverball.com or visit www.bwtrailerhitches.com for installation support.
Installation Instructions
Model 3405 Fits B &W Turnoverball™ Mounting System
REQUIRED TOOLS
- Installation of the slider hitch requires a large torque wrench capable of measuring 110 ft−lbs, a 3/4″ socket, a 7/16″ socket, a 9/16″ socket or wrench, a 7/32 Allen wrench, and a hammer.
- ATTENTION: hitches This slider except base will work GNRK1309 and GNRK1257.with all Turnoverball gooseneck
COUPLER BOLT BAG (RVC3006)
ITEM| DESCRIPTION| QTY
9| 3/8″ Button Head Cap Screw| 2
10| 3/8″ Lock Nut| 2
BASE BOLT BAG (RVB3405)
ITEM| DESCRIPTION| QTY
1| Pivot Arm A| 1
2| Pivot Arm B| 1
3| 1 2″ Lock Washer| 8
4| 1 2″ X 2″ Hex Cap Screw| 8
5| Wire Torsion Spring| 1
6| Mounting Clip| 1
7| 1 4″ X 1 2” Cap Screw| 1
8| 1 4″ Lock Nut| 1
- WARNING Failure to comply with the safety information in these instructions could result in serious injury or death.
- Read all installation and operating instructions and labels before using this product.
- Adding components to the chassis of any vehicle can be hazardous. There is potential for damage to a vehicle, injury from tool usage, and many other hazards. This installation must be completed by someone aware of the hazards involved.
- This person must be knowledgeable of proper safety procedures for a vehicle installation of this nature and for the usage of the equipment required to perform the installation.
- Without proper knowledge, towing can be a dangerous activity. Understand all the risks involved with towing before proceeding. For information on towing safety, see “The Trailer Handbook: A Guide to Understanding Trailer and Towing Safety” from the
- National Association of Trailer Manufacturers, www.NATM.com. and your trailer manufacturer’s owner’s manual.
- Do not exceed the tow or tongue rating of a coupler, the tow or tongue rating of the hitch, or the tow or weight ratings of a truck or trailer.
- See vehicle and trailer manufacturer information for ratings. Exceeding these ratings may cause damage to towing components or loss of attachment between the trailer and truck.
- Additional caution must be used when towing a wedge car trailer. Towing stability greatly depends on keeping the center of gravity as low as possible. Load heavy cars over the axles. Never tow with a single car on the front of the trailer. When towing a wedge car trailer, never exceed speeds that are reasonable for the roadway conditions (e.g. turns, going around a curve, etc.). Failure to account for proper trailer center of gravity and speeds that are reasonable for the roadway conditions may cause damage to the truck, trailer, towing components, and loss of attachment between the truck and trailer.
- Do not modify this product in any manner. Doing so could alter its integrity and lead to a loss of attachment between the trailer and the tow vehicle.
- A visual inspection of the hitch should be performed before each time you tow. Regularly check that all pinned connections are secure and that all bolted connections are at the correct torque specification.
- Check for cracks or damage to the hitch. Do not tow with the hitch if cracks or damage outside of normal wear is found. Towing with a hitch that has cracks or damage could result in damage to the tow vehicle, trailer, towing components or loss of attachment between the tow vehicle and trailer.
PREPARING TO INSTALL
- Remove all parts from the packaging and familiarize yourself with all the parts and tools required. Use the parts list on the front page to verify that all parts and hardware are present.
- WARNING: The components of the hitch are cumbersome to handle. Use proper lifting techniques when moving and handling parts.
- WARNING: Whenever the slider base is being moved, the slider handle must be in the locked position, and the carriage must be unable to slide, see Figure A1.
- Failure to ensure that the handle is in the locked position can lead to property damage or serious injury.
INSTALL SLIDER BASE
- NOTICE: If the 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.
- NOTE: When installing the base in a Toyota Tundra with a composite bed (GNRK1222 gooseneck hitch), Remove the polyurethane pads. The pads are not compatible with the bed geometry.
- Clean bed. Check that the bed of the truck is clean and that all debris is removed before beginning installation.
- Loosen pads. Loosen the four ¼” cap screws securing the polyurethane pads on either side of the slider hitch, see Figure B1.
- Disengage the latch pin. Loc ate the GN latch pin handle of the Turnoverball gooseneck hitch in the driver-side fender well. Retract the GN latch pin handle until it stops and then rotate it clockwise.
- Remove the Turnoverball from the GN hitch receiver socket.
- Position base. With the help of 2 or 3 people, carefully lift and position the slider base into the GN hitch socket in the back of the truck bed. Re−engage the GN latch pin handle by turning it counterclockwise.
- WARNING: Check the latch pin under the truck. Make sure that the latch pin has passed through both sides of the socket and that the pin is covered up inside the socket by the socket adjuster, see Figure B2.
- WARNING: Check the latch pin under the truck. Make sure that the latch pin has passed through both sides of the socket and that the pin is covered up inside the socket by the socket adjuster, see Figure B2.
- Position pads. Square the slider base legs with the ribs of the truck. Position the polyurethane pads so that they are both in a bottom rib along their entire length, see Figure B3. Tighten the four ¼” bolts holding the pads to the base.
- NOTICE: Nissan Titan trucks: Due to the configuration of the bed ribs on Nissan Titan trucks, it will be necessary for the foot pad positioned on top of a bed rib.
- Secure base. Secure the base of the slider to the truck bed by tightening the 1/2″ x 3−1/2″ draw−down bolt to 80 ft−lbs, see Figure B4.
- WARNING: DO NOT lubricate the draw−down bolt, the torque value is for dry threads only.
INSTALL PIVOT ARMS
- Mount arms. Mount the pivot arms using one of the six different locations illustrated in Table C1. These six locations allow flexibility in coupler height and distance from the cab. Choose a location so that your trailer will be as level as possible and have adequate turning clearance while in the towing position (with the slider in the forward position).
- Secure arms. With the flat si de of the pivot arm flat against the bolt plate in the slider base, install four 1/2″ x 2″ bolts and four 1/2″ lock washers for each arm. Torque each bolt to 110 ft−lbs.
- WARNING: Towing without adequate clearance between the trailer and the tow vehicle may lead to property damage or serious injury.
- Evaluate clearance. Determine if there is clearance between each truck and trailer combination before towing. Measure from the center of the coupler to the cab of the truck and from the kingpin or pivot point of the trailer to the furthest forward corner of the trailer, see Figure C2. Compare these measurements to ensure proper clearance when towing. Also, inspect the clearance between the bedsides and the underside of the front of the trailer to ensure there is room for the pitch and roll of the trailer while towing.
- WARNING: Parts of the trailer may strike the tailgate when sliding the hitch rearward. Check the clearance between the tailgate and trailer components such as the trailer tongue or pin box. Failure to check clearance may cause property damage.
INSTALL LEVELING KIT
- Assemble kit. Locate the 1/4″ cap screw and nut, along with the wire torsion spring and mounting clip. Pass the 1/4″ cap screw through the mounting clip and the wire spring, as shown in Figure D1. Thread the 1/4″ lock nut onto the 1/4″ cap screw. Tighten the lock nut just enough that the spring will stay in place but will still be able to rotate around the bolt if needed, see Figure D2.
- Attach kit. Locate the flange that will be closest to the truck cab on the driver-side pivot arm, see Figure D3. The clip should be placed so that when the spring’s coil is in line with the edge of the arm there will be 1/2″ of clearance between the bottom of the polyurethane bushing and the top of the spring, see Figure D4. Drive the clip securely onto the flange with a hammer.
INSTALL COUPLER HANDLE
- Open coupler. Locate the two 3/8″ x 1−1/4″ button head cap screws and the two 3/8″ flanged lock nuts provided in a bolt bag. Pull out the coupler arm and pin it with the safety locking pin near the base of the arm, as shown in Figure E1.
- CAUTION: Pulling the arm out away from the coupler creates a pinch point. Use caution when installing the handle to avoid injury.
- Secure handle. Using the button cap screws and the lock nuts, attach the coupler handle to the arm and tighten, see Figure E1. Pull out the coupler handle safety pin.
INSTALL COUPLER
- Place coupler. Lubricate the polyurethane bushings on top of pivot arms with high-grade lithium grease (available at your local hardware/automotive store). Place the coupler over the pivot arms. (The saddle handles should be parallel with the slider base in the latched position.) Place the saddle lock pins through the saddle, then insert the hairpins through the holes at the end of the saddle lock pins to secure the coupler to the pivot arms, see Figure F1.
- Set coupler angle. Adjust the resting angle of your coupler plate by rotating the spring on the driver-side pivot arm. Pulling the top of the spring away from the cab will increase the angle of the coupler plate. Set the angle of the coupler so that it will tilt away from the cab when coupling, see Figure F2. Tighten the 1/4″ nut once the spring’s orientation is set.
ATTACHING TRAILER
- Remove the safety pin from the coupler handle and open it. Adjust the height of the 5th wheel trailer so that the kingpin plate is slightly lower than the top of the coupler. Back the truck toward the trailer, centering the trailer’s kingpin in the coupler until the kingpin engages the jaws. Close the coupler handle and insert the safety pin through the handle and the coupler. Connect the brake and lighting systems before towing.
- WARNING: Failure to correctly close the handle and attach the safety pin may result in a loss of attachment between the trailer and the tow vehicle, leading to property damage, serious injury, or death.
PULL TEST
- Ensure the truck is stationary with the emergency brake engaged and the tailgate down, trailer wheels choked, and landing gear down, supporting the trailer’s weight. Confirm no one is between the truck and the trailer.
- Release the emergency brake and engage the trailer brakes. Gently attempt to pull the trailer forward with the truck. When properly connected, the trailer will prevent the truck from moving.
- If the truck and trailer are not correctly attached the trailer will separate from the truck.
UNATTACHING TRAILER
- Lower landing gear and chock 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 slider hitch, remove the saddle lock pins, grab the saddle handles, and lift to remove the coupler from the pivot arms. To remove the slider base, loosen the draw−down bolt and retract the Turnoverball gooseneck latch pin handle out until it stops, and then rotate it clockwise. With the help of 2 or 3 people, carefully lift and position the slider base out of the gooseneck hitch socket.
- WARNING: Do not use the slider 5th wheel hitch with any device that changes the location of the kingpin pivot point.
- The kingpin on your trailer must rotate in the jaws of the slider coupler, see Figure G1.
- Preventing the kingpin from rotating within the jaws of the slider coupler with a wedge, see Figure G2, or any other device, such as a Reese Sidewinder or Reese Revolution, could result in property damage, serious injury, or death.
SLIDER OPERATION
- WARNING: Use extreme caution when moving the truck and trailer in the maneuvering position. Never exceed 5 mph (roughly walking speed) when in the maneuvering position, doing so may result in property damage, serious injury, or death.
- CAUTION: Use of the slider mechanism should only be attempted while on smooth flat terrain.
- WARNING: The maneuvering position is only intended for parking maneuvers and not for towing. Using the slider in any other capacity could result in serious injury or death.
- WARNING: Never hold on to the handle or force it in any direction while the truck is moving. Failure to stand clear of the handle when the slider is in operation could result in serious injury.
Moving from the towing position to the maneuvering position. (Figures H3 to H4)
- While the trailer is coupled, set the trailer brakes and/or chock the trailer wheels.
- Pull the handle toward the rear of the truck to move it to the unlocked position, as shown in Figure H2.
- Pull the truck forward slowly until the handle falls and is in the locked position, as shown in Figure H1.
- Release the trailer brakes, un−chock the trailer, and maneuver the trailer as needed.
- Moving from the maneuvering position to the towing position. (Figures H4 to H3)
- Once the trailer is satisfactorily positioned, set the trailer brakes and/or chock the trailer wheels.
- Pull the handle toward the rear of the truck to move it to the unlocked position, as shown in Figure H2.
- Move the truck slowly in reverse until the handle falls and is in the locked position, as shown in Figure H1.
- Release the trailer brakes and un−chock the trailer.
HELPFUL TIPS:
- Approximately 15%−25% of the trailer weight should be on the hitch.
- The height of the kingpin box and pivot arms should be adjusted so that the trailer is approximately level for towing.
- Allow adequate clearance between the bedside and the underside of the front of the trailer for pitch and roll of the trailer.
- Lubricate the top surface of the coupler with multi−purpose automotive-type chassis grease or use a nylon lube plate to provide a lubricated surface.
- The Slider hitch was designed to be used with the Turnoverball hitch mounting system. Other uses will void the warranty and are expressly prohibited by B&W Trailer Hitches.
- Grease jaws with multi−purpose automotive-type chassis grease.
- 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.
- See Limited Lifetime Warranty atbwtrailerhitches.com/warranty
- B &W Trailer Hitches
- 1216 Hawaii Road / PO Box 186
- Humboldt, KS 66748
- P:800.248.6564
- F:620.869.9031
- Call or Email us for Installation Support athitches@turnoverball.com www.bwtrailerhitches.com
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
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