B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch For 2019 Ford F-350 Short Bed With Factory Puck System

Question:

Hi - I am getting a 2019 f350 short box with the factory pucks. Have read about the b and w non slider being ok in the 6 3/4’ bed. If I set the mounting bracket in the rear position 2” back will I be able to back under my Bighorn trailer without the tailgate touching the trailer basement? Thanks.

asked by: Dave C

Expert Reply:

I highly recommend going with the B&W Companion sliding fifth wheel hitch # BWRVK3370 over the Companion fixed (non-slider) hitch # BWRVK3300 for your 2019 Ford F-350 Super Duty with a 6-3/4' bed in order to avoid potentially hitting your new truck's cab with your Bighorn trailer.

While we do not have the exact specs available for your truck I can give you a way to take some measurements so you can find out both if you can back under your trailer without contacting it as well as if you will contact your cab with the fixed hitch. This will require having access to your new truck so you will need to swing by your local Ford dealer with a tape measure - since you are getting one of these very nice trucks I'm sure they won't have a problem with you doing this!

First let's go over what you need to know to see if you can back under your trailer without contacting it. Like you mentioned, the Companion has two different mounting positions available and on your Ford F-350 it can mount either 3" in front of the axle (closest to your cab) or 1" in front of the axle. I have added a photo of the Companion # BWRVK3370 sliding hitch on a '15 F-350 for reference so you can see where it sits. What you will need to do is take both measurements to the end of your tailgate and then measure the distance from the center of your trailer's king pin to the closest part of the trailer to see if there will be contact.

In regards to knowing whether or not the Companion slider # BWRVK3370 or Companion fixed hitch # BWRVK3300 will work so you can make 90 degree turns without contacting your truck's cab there is a handy formula you can use:

(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from center of 5th-wheel hitch jaw to truck cab in inches
B = Length of slider clearance (12")
C = Width of trailer in inches divided by 2

You will need to have at least 4 inches of clearance to safely execut a 90 degree turn.