Just wondering who torques their B&W companion down to 40 ft lbs every time they put it into their truck. If not how does it tow not tightened down against the pin?

 

I have mine set to "drop in". Never had a problem. Made one trip and realized that I had forgot to release the pin back into the hitch. couldnt tell any difference. My fifth wheel is well over 12000 lbs

 

It seems like a pretty critical fastener to me, so I do tighten it with a torque wrench.

The way it is designed, though, I would think it would still be secure if not tight.

 

Very good to know, thank-you, and maybe the reason they want you to torque it down is to prove the pin is engaged, yet they don't require it for the goose ball.
My concern (other than the inconvenience) with tightening and untightening every time is it wears the threads in the post and the self locking nuts loose their ability to hold, not to mention the torque value will change. If you only put it in and take it out a couple of times a year it wouldn't be a problem but do it a few times a week then it's not going to last. Do you think it might be better to shim the post so it's tight at 40ftlbs yet the pin can still be removed? This would eliminate the possibility of any up/down movement in the u bolts.

 

I would think that it would be a good idea to at least snug everything down. You could always keep a 3/8 drive ratchet and deep well (3/4 I think) in one of the storage pockets in the cab.

I thought I'd be taking mine in and out all the time, too, but I find I mostly leave it in the truck. Most things I haul are either things that can be stacked around the hitch, or things too big for the bed anyway (and need to use a trailer).

 

5 years later and several thousand pulling miles later, I've yet to torque to spec.

 

But do you tighten it down any or just leave it so you can pull the pin to remove the hitch anytime? I'm leaning toward just having it so I can just pull the pin without undoing anything.

 

Just tight enough to still be able to pull the pin..

 

I think that's what I'm going to do. Thanks for all the comments, it really helped.

 

I sure like mine, as does everyone who I've talked to who owns one.

I think you will be happy.