Hello...Anyone with 2014 Ram 3500 and B&W Companion 3600 hitch?

vince900ss · 07-06-2014, 11:11 PM

Hello all,
We just bought a 2013 36RE, and love it. We're just getting started with this RV, which is our first 5th wheel. We also just bought a 2014 Ram 3500 DRW with the Cummins, since I didn't have a suitable TV. It has the factory hitch mounting system. Am considering the B&W Companion 3600 hitch since it drops right in. But am concerned about whether everything will fit together properly and allow the trailer to tow level. The pin box is the Trail-air factory option with the air bladder. Does anyone have this combination, and know whether it will clear the truck rails and fit properly with the adjustments available?? It appears that there is only 3 inches of adjustment on the hitch itself, which doesn't seem like a lot. Anyway, the trailer is presently parked on an uneven site, and it's difficult for me to get a good measurement to know for sure.I obviously can't move it until I get a hitch, so that is next up.
Thanks in advance for any advice!

coloradolivin · 07-07-2014, 12:16 AM

Congrats on the new rig and TV.
Here is the route we went with our 2014 RAM

vince900ss · 07-07-2014, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coloradolivin

Congrats on the new rig and TV.
Here is the route we went with our 2014 RAM

Thank you. Do you have the Trail air pin box on the trailer? That seems to make the king pin sit a lot lower than standard from what I can tell. Also, is your hitch set high or low in its adjustment?? Lastly, is that picture frame the Dodge OEM version?
Thanks again for the help.

coloradolivin · 07-07-2014, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vince900ss

Thank you. Do you have the Trail air pin box on the trailer? That seems to make the king pin sit a lot lower than standard from what I can tell. Also, is your hitch set high or low in its adjustment?? Lastly, is that picture frame the Dodge OEM version?
Thanks again for the help.

Yes, we have the trail air. We have made no adjustments to it since we got it from the dealer. The dealer included the Reese in our deal and we have made no adjustments to it either. It had 4 holes, and we are currently at the second hole from the top.

Yes, that is the Ram adapter. We went with that so we could put a gooseneck on there if we wanted. The whole thing is two piece, which seems manageable by weight. You can get a flat bed in about 15 minutes. I think the Reese is about 100# and the adapter is only about 40#.

Todd and Theresa went with the B&W and really seem to like it, although it used to be hard to find I think. Maybe they will chime in.

vince900ss · 07-07-2014, 01:45 AM

Very helpful. Thanks very much. Obviously, your set up should work just fine for me as well, as I am assuming the basic design of the front of the 5s are the same. But I have no need for a gooseneck, so I may still look into the Companion 3600 that mounts straight to the pucks in the truck. Still, it helps to see that you still have adjustment left on your hitch, in which case I should be fine. The specs for your hitch say it has a 14-18 inch height adjustment, which is close to the Companion. Of course, your hitch sits higher by the thickness of the bracket, which I wouldn't have.
Thanks again for all of that info!

coloradolivin · 07-07-2014, 01:47 AM

Happy I could help

TNTBaker · 07-07-2014, 02:42 AM

We have the same truck. We have the B&W Companion hitch you spoke of and it's PERFECT. It's set in the central settings, I believe. Trailer is dead level. I can double check when we go get the hitch tomorrow getting ready for our trip. Let me know if you want to know anything else, but we love the hitch, can't even feel the RW behind us!

vince900ss · 07-07-2014, 03:14 AM

Hi Todd,
That's really helpful. Thanks so much. Just to be certain, you have the 3600 Companion hitch that uses no adapter/picture frame...just mounts straight to the truck pucks, right? On the Trail Air on the 5...I see that mine has two heights. It's set in the lower position right now, but looks like it could be raised up about 2 inches or so, since there is another set of holes on top. Do you know which setting yours is in?
From you photo, it looks like you have the recommended 6 inches or so of clearance above the truck rails, correct?
Of course, I'm assuming that the front section of all of the Redwoods are the same...hope I'm right about that. But assuming it is, then your set up should do exactly what I was hoping for. I want to be able to remove the hitch, and would prefer not to deal with an adapter if I can avoid it.
Thanks again!

TNTBaker · 07-07-2014, 03:20 AM

Hi there Vince;

We have this hitch:

I will have to check the actual settings tomorrow (This is Theresa, by the way, Todd would know from memory, but I can't remember) I do remember that we just guessed when we installed it prior to delivery of our Redwood, and it ended up being just right.

Yes, I think all Redwoods are the same at the front. LOVE the puck system, super easy to remove and put in and leaves the bed clean. We have a Lance truck camper that we use a lot and bed rails would have been a huge hassle.

I will check the levels on the hitch (I remember we shot the middle whatever that is) and it was right. Easy to change at the dealership if need be. It's only a few bolts. I will tell you; IT'S HEAVY! It's a not something you want to do if your back is bothering you! Hope this helps.

vince900ss · 07-07-2014, 03:24 AM

Thanks Theresa. Sorry for assuming you were Todd. As I wrote that, I said to myself, watch this turn out to be Theresa!
Really appreciate the help.

TNTBaker · 07-07-2014, 03:33 AM

<Laugh> It's quite alright, EVERYONE calls me Todd. It doesn't matter. I guess I just write "manly". :-)

Blue Dogs · 07-07-2014, 04:07 AM

FWIW, I don't have the dodge but my hitch guy (independent that only installs hitches and sells them all) says in his opinion the B&W hitch is the best on the market hands down.

ffbill · 07-07-2014, 05:30 AM

Hi Vince,

I also have a 2014 Ram 3500 (Long Bed) with the factory 5th wheel package and the B&W hitch. My RW does not have the airbags on the king pin. The hitch works great for us in the middle height position. I used the over the axle position and have no clearance issues whatsoever. Its a great hitch and very easy to install or remove as long as you have help since it weighs over 200 lbs. I highly recommend it.

johnboytoo · 07-07-2014, 03:34 PM

You guys are making me tired thinking about removing hitches, etc...

that sounds too much like WORK, especially with a clean bed that will require tools and boards and stuff !!!

My teamster union contract with the wife does not allow me to do any more manual work than driving and setting up the rv

but, on the ford forums I visit the B&W is easily the favorite hitch...

Fredtp · 07-07-2014, 11:18 PM

I just traded in a 2010 F350 DRW for a Ram 3500 DRW and I installed the 3600 B&W like TNT did and I pulled the first time with it yesterday and let me tell you I love that hitch. I had a Reese 25 k in the Ford.
Also all you Ford guys (which I used to be) let me tell you there is no comparison in my opinion between the Ford and the Ram, the Ram out performs in all respects, pulling power and the feel of you being in control instead of the trailer. I pulled for 5 years with that Ford so I had a few miles. I am very pleased with my swap to the (dark side) as some people say.

**hoosierguy** · 07-08-2014, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredtp

I just traded in a 2010 F350 DRW for a Ram 3500 DRW and I installed the 3600 B&W like TNT did and I pulled the first time with it yesterday and let me tell you I love that hitch. I had a Reese 25 k in the Ford.
Also all you Ford guys (which I used to be) let me tell you there is no comparison in my opinion between the Ford and the Ram, the Ram out performs in all respects, pulling power and the feel of you being in control instead of the trailer. I pulled for 5 years with that Ford so I had a few miles. I am very pleased with my swap to the (dark side) as some people say.

Welcome to the world of the RAM!

I have had very good luck with mine so far, although, this is the only heavy duty that I have ever owned and have no way to compare to any other brands.

Oriana · 07-08-2014, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredtp

I just traded in a 2010 F350 DRW for a Ram 3500 DRW and I installed the 3600 B&W like TNT did and I pulled the first time with it yesterday and let me tell you I love that hitch. I had a Reese 25 k in the Ford.
Also all you Ford guys (which I used to be) let me tell you there is no comparison in my opinion between the Ford and the Ram, the Ram out performs in all respects, pulling power and the feel of you being in control instead of the trailer. I pulled for 5 years with that Ford so I had a few miles. I am very pleased with my swap to the (dark side) as some people say.

Fred - Glad your happy with your choice, so I guess I'll be staying on the light side when replacing the F350 next year.

Blue Dogs · 07-08-2014, 05:11 AM

Not really comparing apples to apples, the 2010 ford is not on par with the 2014 more or less the 2015 fords. No more than a 2010 ram is equal to a 2014 ram. All the new trucks are pretty sweet rides if you ask me!

TNTBaker · 07-08-2014, 05:32 PM

I agree with Yale, the new trucks are ALL much better. However, like Fred, we were "Ford People" for 25 years. It was a big decision to get a RAM. We are SO glad we did. It performs amazingly well, and the confidence when hauling is something I have never experienced before. It's an amazing truck, and we LOVE it.

TNTBaker · 07-08-2014, 05:58 PM

Hello Vince; Sorry, we got back so late last night, I didn't get this to you sooner. We did put the hitch in and I though just a picture would be helpful to show you how we have the hitch installed (Cab is to the RIGHT in photo). Let me know if I can help further! Theresa

You may also like: