There are a few moments in RV life where things suddenly start feeling real.
Buying the RV is one.
Pulling it for the first time is another.
But installing your fifth wheel hitch?
That’s the moment where you realize: do I really know how to do this so that I can put 17,000 pounds on it and it be safe?
👉 “Alright… we’re really doing this.”
When we installed our B&W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch, we quickly understood why so many RVers recommend it. Before this, we spent hours researching hitches, reading forums, watching videos, and listening to experienced travelers talk about towing safety, ride quality, noise, and reliability.
And honestly… one name kept showing up over and over again.
B&W.
First Impressions Right Out of the Box
The first thing we noticed?
This thing is HEAVY.
Not “kind of heavy.”
REAL heavy.
The build quality immediately stood out. Thick steel, solid welds, and a design that just looked overbuilt in the best possible way.
You could tell right away this wasn’t some lightweight piece of equipment designed to barely survive the highway.
And when you’re towing a large fifth wheel down interstates, mountain roads, construction zones, and rough pavement… confidence matters.
A lot.
Installation Day
Like most RV projects, what looks simple online usually turns into:
Multiple tools laying everywhere
Crawling in and out of the truck bed
Re-reading instructions
Watching YouTube again
Asking, “Wait… does this piece go here?”
The install itself honestly wasn’t terrible, but it definitely takes patience. There were two things that I really needed some advice on and I didn't really find any at all.
1. The Height (It typically can be installed at 16, 17, 18 inches, what exactly that meant I was unsure of but it has to do with the ride height. I set it at 17 and if I needed to lower it I would later. (But I didn;t)
2. The angle of the mount arms forward or backward. I put them backward because I felt it gave me more cab clearance (and so far I believe I am right)
One thing we appreciated about the B&W Companion setup was how modular it felt. Being able to install the base and head separately made handling the weight much easier.
If you’re installing one yourself, having a second person absolutely helps.
Not optional “nice to have” help…
REAL help.
Especially when lifting and positioning components safely inside the truck bed.
Adjustments Matter More Than People Think
One thing we learned quickly was how important hitch height adjustments are.
This isn’t just:
“Throw it in and go.”
You want the trailer sitting level.
You want proper bed rail clearance.
You want enough turning space.
And you want the truck and RV riding correctly together.
We took extra time checking measurements because getting this wrong can create major towing issues later.
And honestly, this is where newer RV owners sometimes rush the process.
Why We Chose the B&W Companion
For us, a few things stood out:
Build Quality
The hitch feels incredibly solid.
Reputation
We heard more positive feedback about B&W from full-time RVers than almost any other hitch brand.
Ride Quality
Many RVers mentioned smoother towing and reduced chucking compared to other setups.
Removability
Being able to remove the hitch and still have full truck bed access was a big advantage for us.
That matters when your truck is both your tow vehicle AND your everyday vehicle.
Real RV Life Perspective
One thing we’ve learned in RV life:
Cheap mistakes become expensive FAST.
And towing equipment is not where we wanted to cut corners.
Your hitch is literally the connection between your truck and your home on wheels.
That’s not something we wanted to gamble with.
After getting everything installed and finally hooking up for the first tow, there was definitely a moment of relief.
No weird noises.
No shifting.
No surprises.
Just a solid connection that immediately felt more stable and confidence-inspiring.
Final Thoughts
Installing the B&W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch was one of those RV upgrades that gave us peace of mind more than anything else.
And in RV life, peace of mind matters.
Especially when you’re pulling tens of thousands of pounds across the country.
Would we recommend it?
Absolutely.
It’s heavy.
It’s solid.
It’s built extremely well.
And after using it, we completely understand why so many full-time RVers trust it.
If you’re considering a fifth wheel hitch upgrade or installing one for the first time, hopefully our experience helps make the process a little less intimidating.
🚐 Tanks Full. Worries Empty.
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