Auto Truck Depot: Trailers

Friday, June 1, 2018

Rundown: B&W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch

The B&W Companion Hitch utilizes the single point attachment on of the B&W Turnover Hitch frame to convert your hitch from a Gooseneck to a fifth wheel hitch in minutes!

The Turnover

The Turnover Hitch frame installs underneath your truck bed, bolted directly to your frame using existing holes with no welding or drilling required. This ensures a solid mounting point to ensure a safe trailer towing experience, no matter what your truck is hauling. To find out more about the Turnover hitch, check out our Rundown of the product.

The Companion

Classified as an accessory to the Turnover Hitch, the B&W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch utilizes the already mounted Turnover bracket to adapt the gooseneck hitch into a fifth wheel hitch, which means no mou nting rails are needed. The latching handle locks a 5/8" steel peg in place, right through the stem of the Companion, to secure the hitch. When you don't need it, the mount can be removed in minutes by pulling the locking handle out and rotating it 1/8 of a spin to lock it open. Once removed, you will have full truck bed access with no pesky rails to contend with so you can haul as much cargo as you need to. If you aren't going to use the Turnover as a Gooseneck Hitch, your can purchase a plug to fill the hole when your hitch isn't in use to keep your truck bed flat.

The Cam Action Latching Handle allows you to easily disconnect your trailer anywhere, even on uneven ground! Its wide stance offers improved stability, and the fully articulating head allows for front to back and side to side movement for maximum versatility while towing. The hitch can even be adjusted to three different heights between 14.75" and 16.76", and has a 4" range of adjustment forwards and backwards with three couple positions. The 1" thick wrap around jaws fit a kingpin perfectly. Polyurethane brushings make for a smooth, clean, and rattle free towing experience.

With a 20,000 lb GTW and 5,000 VTW, the B&W hitch set up can haul anything your truck can, and it's the most versatile way to haul your trailer. For more information, or to purchase your Companion today, visit our website, give us a call or email, or visit our Calgary location.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

Monday, May 28, 2018

How To Find Your Truck's Towing Capacity

It may seem like a simple thing, but it's extremely important to know your truck's maximum towing capacity. I wish I could tell you there's a hard and fast answer to the question, but it varies not only with your year, make, and model but also by engine size, gear to axle ratios, and even your transmission. If you don't observe your vehicle's limitations, you may end up operating beyond the design limits which can accelerate vehicle wear, or even cause damage or breaking of components while you're on the road.

Check Your Owner's Manual

As with many things, the first step is always to check the Owner's Manual. When something gets as technically complicated as a truck, and puts as much on the line as towing a trailer does, you want to make sure you do it right to start.

Check the Manufacturer's Website

If the information can't be found in your manual, or proves to be too confusing and muddled, try checking your manufacturer's website. Often important technical details about your make and model will be listed there. If you're looking into buying a new vehicle, it may be a good idea to find the information beforehand to make sure the vehicle you're buying can handle what you need to do.

Call Your Local Dealer

If you are still having trouble, or you just want to be 100% sure, contact your local dealer. They will often have all of that information readily available, even for older vehicles. Make sure you have your VIN number handy.

You can also check other online sources for corroboration or firsthand information as well. Just remember to double check any information gathered from a third-party source with at least one other source. The link below has pdf copies of Trailer Life magazine issues. Find your vehicle to get all kinds of information, including tow ratings and much more.

http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides/

Stay tuned for a future blog post on best towing practices, and details on Tongue Weight and more.