B&W hitch part failure

[TxLoser]

First off, I’m a big fan of my B&W patriot. Last time I towed my trailer a short distance for new tires, something felt off. Then tonight, I unrolled my bed cover to be ready for an early AM appt to get my trailer worked on and found my hitch broken. There’s a rectangular metal piece under the hitch that acts as a spring to create resistance to lateral movement. It broke off on one side. the hitch head flops to one side and hits metal on metal.

Anyone else ever have this issue. We’re supposed to depart Sunday for a week in Colorado and I’d imagine I’ll be hard pressed to get a new hitch head between now and then. Kind of a bummer.

[Big1]

Is there a CW near you? I agree that is a bummer.

[jasum]

Can you take a pic??

[jasum]

Is this what’s missing? If it is contact B&W

[Nature Ist]

I would reach out to B&W directly ASAP. They may be able to tell you where there is a retailer that may have what you need.
Without a pic, it's hard to tell exactly what broke. On my Companion Slider, which is probably not exactly the same, i can't see what you are referring to. My guess is B&W might replace that part at n/c unless some other issue caused it to break.

[TxLoser]

Can’t really get a pic of what broke. You probably have the same piece on your slider. I’ll try and describe it.

I’ll try to illustrate what’s going on. There’s a rectangular piece of metal under the saddle which is bolted on and has a couple bends in it so it makes contact with the saddle. This is what keeps the saddle from flopping side to side. Mine broke on the right side, so the hitch flops to the right. There’s a black mark where it strikes now, and a black line where it broke. The red line is the metal piece.

I don’t know that this is a safety issue as much as a comfort issue as it’s a sort of suspension for the hitch. I’m going to call B&W this morning. Absolute worst case, I can order a head from etrailer have it sent overnight.

What’s surprising is my FW isn’t that heavy, and the hitch is always under my bed cover when not being used. It took almost five years to break, but still I’m surprised this broke.

[TxLoser]

Well, B&W is still my favorite. 2 minute call and they’re shipping me a new head today free of charge. No request for proof of purchase or anything. Head may get here in time, but even so, it’s not a safety thing.

[Learjet]

Call B&W...but I'm pretty sure that is there just to stop hitch from flopping around when there is no trailer hitched to it. Should not be a problem towing.

I think your title might be a little over the top....certainly not a "hitch failure" of any major significance

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by Learjet

Call B&W...but I'm pretty sure that is there just to stop hitch from flopping around when there is no trailer hitched to it. Should not be a problem towing.

I think your title might be a little over the top....certainly not a "hitch failure" of any major significance

You’re right. I didn’t mean failure like FW falling off, more like a part failure. But, I can see how it can be misunderstood. I should write headlines for MSNBC.


Mods - feel free to change this to B&W Hitch Part Failure

[Learjet]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

You’re right. I didn’t mean failure like FW falling off, more like a part failure. But, I can see how it can be misunderstood. I should write headlines for MSNBC.

too funny...give B&W a call...they are good folks and will sort this out for you...here is there info:

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm CST

(800) 810-4918

[jasum]

Glad they took care of it for you.

[Slurugger]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Well, B&W is still my favorite. 2 minute call and they’re shipping me a new head today free of charge. No request for proof of purchase or anything. Head may get here in time, but even so, it’s not a safety thing.

Pretty much what I've come to expect from B&W...they're great!

[Big1]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Well, B&W is still my favorite. 2 minute call and they’re shipping me a new head today free of charge. No request for proof of purchase or anything. Head may get here in time, but even so, it’s not a safety thing.

Awesome, so glad that they came through for you, the people at B&W are some good folks who will stand by there product and take care of the customer.

[curver900]

i had a recall on a BW product and they sent me another lock about a month after the original one .. i called them to send it back they just said keep it thanks for letting us know.

Dealing with them is/has been very good. Spectacular customer service... and made right here...

[TxLoser]

Well, I was too quick to sing their praises. They didn’t send a head. They just sent a leaf spring(the broken part). Now I have to spend $300 on an impact setup to get the center out of the saddle to replace the leaf. Oh well, first world problems I guess.

[Yooper906]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Well, I was too quick to sing their praises. They didn’t send a head. They just sent a leaf spring(the broken part). Now I have to spend $300 on an impact setup to get the center out of the saddle to replace the leaf. Oh well, first world problems I guess.

You don't have to spend $300 bucks on an impact setup. Take the truck and the hitch to any auto repair and ask them to change it out. Most will for a minimal cost. Or free if you have been doing business with them. In that case, bring doughnuts or something. Works up here anyway.

[TxLoser]

And they sent me the wrong part…..awesome. Guess I’ll put it back together with the broken one and press on. Not going to let this spring keep us from our trip this week.

[Learjet]

use the old one as a template and drill a couple of holes for the mounting bolts. Looks like a stronger part.

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by Learjet

use the old one as a template and drill a couple of holes for the mounting bolts. Looks like a stronger part.

I thought of that. However, it’s arched all the way across. This is why it’s screw holes are in the center. If I did that, it wouldn’t be flat where the screw went in and they’d most likely be loose or just break at some point. It is a better part. Wish I could make it work.

[TxLoser]

I sat in the house for a bit pondering this…. Went back out there. Took it apart again(impact is awesome), and folded up some tire foam from one of my 1/8th scale RC truggy tires. Put it back together with that on the broken side. Good enough for now. Takes nearly the same force to rotate the head to that side as it does with the good side. Good enough for this week.