B&W companion hitch removal

[Tryintoretire]

Anyone got easy way to remove heavy base out off bed? I'm not as young as I was 😢😢
Would an engine hoist work?

[RedHorse1]

I used my shop crane for a bit but it was more trouble than convenience. Check out my “ski” Solution in your other post on this topic. Out of the truck it sits on a furniture dolly (from HF) so it’s easy to move around.

[GHen]

I’m old...to pull it out of the gooseneck, I put my elbows on my knees and just lift with my arms, easier on my back. Getting it out of the truck is more of an issue.
I’m thinking of making a 2 foot high furniture type dolly with wheels that would have a lower frame that I could use my floor jack on to lift it the last foot up and down. Even a furniture type dolly the same height of the tailgate might work.

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by GHen

I’m old...to pull it out of the gooseneck, I put my elbows on my knees and just lift with my arms, easier on my back. Getting it out of the truck is more of an issue.
I’m thinking of making a 2 foot high furniture type dolly with wheels that would have a lower frame that I could use my floor jack on to lift it the last foot up and down. Even a furniture type dolly the same height of the tailgate might work.

How about a ramp?

[GHen]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

How about a ramp?

Ya, I’ve slide it up an down a 2x12. I like the idea of putting on something that has wheels. Once I get it into the garage on the floor, it’s always in the wrong spot. Maybe a 40x60 shop would give me some room, lol. Park the rv inside also.

[Midnightmoon]

Do you have access to a tractor with a loader?

[GHen]

A grandson works well also. I I don’t need to store it anywhere.

[GHen]

When I’m done, it automatically goes home.

[Trailgypsy]

Leave it attached to the fifth wheel, pull the pin and raise the fifth wheel.

[ETCrockett]

Originally Posted by Trailgypsy

Leave it attached to the fifth wheel, pull the pin and raise the fifth wheel.

I have seen people do this but I'm not sure this is good for the kingpin or the fiberglass shell on the FW. The complete hitch weighs 206 lbs. I don't believe the kingpin was designed to have that much weight hanging from the pin or the stress on BW locking jaws. The kingpin was designed to sit on the hitch and not to suspend it in air. I'm pretty sure Jayco will not cover any damage caused by using your FW as a hoist for hitch. IMO

I am going to opt for mounting a winch from HF in the ceiling of my garage that I can easily lift the hitch in and out with.

[Big1]

I use a cheap cherry picker from harbor freight, but although I had to modify the hitch so it will be a little longer, I have pics if you would like to see they are on my phone.

I love it, it is a solid hitch I was thinking that I have some pics on my pc but I have to upload them off of my phone to my pc.

[1carguy]

If you park in a garage or carport, how about a block and tackle to lift it out then drop in onto a dolly to move around?

I'm lucky, I've got an Anderson hitch....37 lbs and about 4 minutes for my 12 year grandson to lift it out.

[chuck5395]

My Christmas present this year was a Hitch Hoist. It was requested specifically for lifting the B&W hitch in and out of the truck by myself. I've not had a chance to try it out yet, but I'll keep you posted.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/HME-...3.uts?slotId=0

[CampNow]

A friend of mine cut-out a 1/2" plywood template and placed it around his B&W to protect the bed when he removed it. He also cut-out holes and notches on two, 2x4's to match each pair/side of pucks on the bottom of the B&W. He (sometimes solo, sometimes with help) unlatched it and lifted each side of the hitch up slightly (one side at a time) onto each 2x4. He then slid/dragged the hitch (while it sat on the 2x4's) over the plywood towards the tailgate onto a heavy-duty table (he fabricated) with rolling casters. The table was the same height as the tailgate.

In any case, assuming your 5th wheel doesn't have a monster GVWR, why not just purchase a lighter hitch rather than risk physical injury or incur the cost and hassle of installing overhead hoists? Yes, the B&W is a well-built hitch, but it comes at a price (cost and weight). Our 5th wheel (at the time) only weighed 12k loaded. We went with a smaller hitch that only weighed 80 lbs. total (not to mention, none of the B&W's would adjust below 16-17 inches--we needed 13-14 inches---but that's another story). Regardless, the base weighed 40 lbs. and the head, 40 lbs.---removed them one at a time. A breeze to install, remove, and store. Some, like 1carguy, go even lighter with the Andersen.

[Witt74]

Several years ago, I built a rolling table following plans I saw in an old Trailer Life magazine. I just back the truck up to the carport, roll the table up to the tailgate, and slide the plywood top into the bed close to the hitch mounts. I have to do some height mods to the table as this truck is a bit taller than my old F250.

[Lake Huron]

So my set up is a little more versatile. I got a barn door track from TSC and the door wheels that go in it. Mounted the track to a 2x4 and screwed the 2x4 to every truss in my garage spanning 10'. I mounted the wheels to a 1/8" thick steel plate and mounted an electric hoist I got from Northern Industrial Tool to the plate. I used a big headed screw on both ends of the track to keep it from wheeling out the ends of the track. I've lifted over 800# with the hoist on that door track. Works great.

[Tryintoretire]

Thanks guys lots of good ideas