zips2000
Medina, ohio
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Joined: 08/20/2007
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Looking for real world feed back and not what the dealer and or installer who is not willing to look deeper into the details tells me. I have bought a used truck (2008 Ford F250 CC SB) to pull my new 5th wheel (Forest River Sierra 346ret). The truck came with the b&w goose neck turnover ball. I'm looking at the companion as I love the idea of not having rails in the bed of my truck, but also the fact if would save considerable amount of money if I can utilitize the turnover ball with the companion rather than installing a new slider hitch.
My question is how often do those with a slider actually use the slider? Also anyone with a similar setup....how close is it and what degree of turn radius do you get prior to blowing out a window and or denting the cab?
Do I need the ability to go 90 degrees? This is my first 5th wheel replacing a 27ft TT that I have pulled all over the place.
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katysdad
Virginia
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Joined: 08/03/2010
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the companion does have some adjustment when initially assembled, the second factor is the design of the front of your 5v'r.
Dodge Ram 3500 DRW Diesel
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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The length of the trailer's pin box and shape of the front cap are going to be the deciding factors, as stated earlier.
To use the Turnoverball and Companion hitch with a fifth wheel, the truck really should be a long bed not a short bed. If you need a slider, you can get a different brand sliding version of the Companion hitch that is made to fit in the Turnoverball hitch hole. It is made by Colibert, called the Rail Rider.
05E350 6.0PSD
97F350DRW 7.3PSD 4x4 4.10 11' flatbed
98Ranger
69Bronco ATC250R CR500
20' BigTex flatbed carhauler
Callen Camper
92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6
B&W TurnoverBall, Curt Magnum V
HD Springs Bilsteins,
285/75-16E BFG AT on 16x8 Stocktons
4.56's & LockRite rear
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NHIrish
White Mountains NH
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Joined: 07/30/2005
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Agree with above....but there is also a slider hitch now made by another manufacturer that fits the turnover ball....don't know anything about it, but here is the info;
Product Information
Now Colibert’s innovative towing solutions can adapt to your existing B&W hitch. Compact, lightweight and durable, you’ll feel the difference when you’re towing and when you’re not. Our RAIL RIDER™ Complete Slider System attach easily to the existing gooseneck system without any additional drilling or modification to the truck. And because they are Colibert towing solutions, they remove completely from the truck bed, leaving no rails or hardware behind.
RAIL RIDER™
Complete System Slider
207BW (Fifth Wheel) or 20702-1BW (Gooseneck)
• 18,000 lb. rating (3,500 lb. vert. load)
• Fits either fifth wheel or gooseneck trailers
• Allows 9” extra cab clearance for an
easier turning radius
• Adjustable height 17” - 22”
2010 Carriage Cameo 32FWS
2011 Chevrolet 3500 DMAX ECLB
B&W Companion
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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NHIrish wrote:Agree with above....but there is also a slider hitch now made by another manufacturer that fits the turnover ball....don't know anything about it, but here is the info;
Product Information
Now Colibert’s innovative towing solutions can adapt to your existing B&W hitch. Compact, lightweight and durable, you’ll feel the difference when you’re towing and when you’re not. Our RAIL RIDER™ Complete Slider System attach easily to the existing gooseneck system without any additional drilling or modification to the truck. And because they are Colibert towing solutions, they remove completely from the truck bed, leaving no rails or hardware behind.
RAIL RIDER™
Complete System Slider
207BW (Fifth Wheel) or 20702-1BW (Gooseneck)
• 18,000 lb. rating (3,500 lb. vert. load)
• Fits either fifth wheel or gooseneck trailers
• Allows 9” extra cab clearance for an
easier turning radius
• Adjustable height 17” - 22” That's the same hitch I just described and provided a link to in my post above. LOL
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webslave
Clearville, PA
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Joined: 04/14/2008
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I have the rig in my signature...short bed. I use the B&W Companion and have never needed a slider. The nose on my Cougar is one of their "close fit" styles and I can get about 85 degrees (not quite 90) before I start to get nervous...there is still space, but, I start to get nervous when my wife's eyes get real big... 
Never needed a slider and, too be honest, if I'm ever faced with a campsite that I need to get more than 80 degrees turn on the rig, I'll look for another campsite or campground. I've never needed more than about 70 degrees for the worst I've stayed in. If I had a flat faced 5ver, I would probably have opted for the slider, just in case, but, since I've got a sculpted "turn easy" unit, I do just fine without and I've got all the advantages of the B&W.
My 2 cents, your mileage may vary...
Don
Bronwyn
3 Cats - Coco, J-Lo and Ragamuffin 
2011 Keystone Cougar 318SAB
2011 Ram 2500 Longhorn CTD HO
Built in brake controller and exhaust brake
Tri Glide TrailAir Pinbox with a B&W Companion Hitch
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jtad
Lingleville, TX
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Joined: 03/22/2011
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I also have a B&W compainon in a short bed Chevy with a toolbox/fuel tank in the bed. I have Crusader with the 88 degree turn radius.. I have never had any problem with it. Love being able to unhook, and pull everything out of the bed and no rails.
2011 Crusader 298 BHD
2007 Chevy 2500 Classic
B&W Companion Hitch
Edge C/S
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57 Panhead
Stockton CA
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Joined: 08/19/2010
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zips2000 wrote:Looking for real world feed back and not what the dealer and or installer who is not willing to look deeper into the details tells me. I have bought a used truck (2008 Ford F250 CC SB) to pull my new 5th wheel (Forest River Sierra 346ret). The truck came with the b&w goose neck turnover ball. I'm looking at the companion as I love the idea of not having rails in the bed of my truck, but also the fact if would save considerable amount of money if I can utilitize the turnover ball with the companion rather than installing a new slider hitch.
My question is how often do those with a slider actually use the slider? Also anyone with a similar setup....how close is it and what degree of turn radius do you get prior to blowing out a window and or denting the cab?
Do I need the ability to go 90 degrees? This is my first 5th wheel replacing a 27ft TT that I have pulled all over the place.
If you had a TT before think about this, you can't do 90* with a TT and you apparently survived that. I have an F250 Short Bed extended cab and had the B&W companion installed in my truck and LOVE it. I have the Companion setup all the way up and as far back as it will go and have not encountered any issues. While I can't do 90* I don't anticipate having to do so. If you really would feel safer with a slider you can get a set of rails that mounts into your B&W turn over hitch and gives you a set of standard rails that is removable from the bed leaving you with a clean bed. Check it out here.
Best of luck and happy camping
Retired Teamster
2012 Jayco Eagle Superlite 31.5RLTS
07 F250 PowerStroke
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