B&W Companion 5th Wheel - What Is The Recommended Starting Position For The Uprights?

Updated 11/21/2025 | Published 11/19/2025

Question:

2025 Ford F250 short bed. Buying a 2025 Keystone Cougar 5th wheel with their MaxTurn design, where the front cap is curved to allow for a decent turn angle they say 83deg using a fixed hitch. Ive purchased the BandW 3300 and will be installing it over the weekend. Notice that the hitch has reversible uprights that allow moving the pin frontwards or backwards a few inches. I reviewed the manual and it doesnt really explain how to determine if you need the uprights mounted forward or rearward. Which is appropriate for an F250 short bed given that my trailer has extra turn angle clearance built in? Rearward is better for extra clearance, but does it make much difference in load distribution or towing quality? Im guessing the forward position is standardinch and would give me the 83deg, while moving it rearward would give me a bit more turn angle but with some compromise in weight distribution and handling. Im thinking Id rather give up a few degrees of turn angle by keeping it forward and have a better/safer ride? First time with a 5th wheel but 83deg of turn angle seems like plenty. Obviously I can always change it the mounting position, but would just prefer to start out right to begin with! Thanks!

asked by: Joe K

Expert Reply:

Hey Joe, great question! I actually talked to one of the B&W reps about this exact thing when they were here a while back. For the B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch # BWRVK3300, the best place to start is the middle position (A). That’s the baseline setting they recommend. From there, you can move the uprights up or down if you need to fine-tune the camper height or bed clearance.

Since your Cougar has that MaxTurn front cap, you’re already in good shape for turning clearance, but moving to position B would give you just a touch more space if you ever need it. Like you mentioned, 83 degrees of turn with a fixed hitch is solid, and the A position will give you slightly better stability and weight distribution. The difference between A and B isn’t huge in ride quality, but A is the safer bet to start with, and you can always adjust later once you see how it tows. Or you can shift to B position if you plan to take the camper somewhere where super tight turns might be necessary.

When will you be picking it up?

expert reply by: Jesse M

BWRVK3300 Upright Positioning
(click to enlarge)

Joe K.

11/20/2025

Thanks Jesse, I believe y'all shipped the hitch yesterday. One clarification; you mention position A and say it's the "middle position", which is confusing as the A and B are whether the brackets are forward (B - closer to the cab) or back (A). Your comment refers the the height options, and I'll start in the middle holes as you suggest. If you want to edit your comment you can delete this reply if you want. Also, It looks like B is the position closest to the cab (most forward) while A would be further back for more clearance. Seems kind of odd since you would think A is the standard position, so I'll see where the bracket positions are relative to the center gooseneck hole in the Ford OEM locations and go from there. Maybe A is a standard position while B is if you want a bit more weight forward of the rear axle. I'll check it out and let you know what I see. Pretty simple to flip them around if needed.

Jesse M.

11/20/2025

@JoeK Ah you are right sorry about that. I was looking right at the diagram but I had the truck facing the wrong way in my head lol. I am so used to seeing the diagram in the actual B&W instructions which has the cab direction opposite from the diagram on our part page (the one I snipped above). So to edit the statement above and in regard to the picture I included, medium position B would be the recommended starting point. Then move up/down as needed and reverse the arms to gain more clearance. Take a look at the diagram in this link. It actually specifies the direction of travel. https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/sites/default/files/RVK3710%20%28pn%203710-010%29%2008%2015%202025.pdf

Joe K.

11/20/2025

@JesseM Thanks! Two things I noticed - I took a look at my F250 OEM puck locations and they seem a few inches forward of the axle centerline so there's some wiggle room. Also, it appears the base could simply be flipped around to try the other bracket location rather than remounting the brackets. Thanks again!

Jesse M.

11/21/2025

@JoeK So yes the base can be flipped and mounted "backwards". B&W does recommend mounting it with the warning labels facing the back of the cab, but they also said that mounting it "backwards" would not affect the warranty or integrity.