Question: Why the B&W Turnoverball™? Aren't there other hitches that are just as good?
Answer: The B&W Turnoverball™ Gooseneck Hitch is one of the sturdiest hitches
on the market. It has a Gross Towing Weight Capacity of 30,000lbs, which is well above the legal towing capabilities
of most trucks on the market today. Normally, the only hole that needs to be drilled for this hitch is the 4" hole
in the pickup bed, making this hitch one of the easiest to install as well. There are many other hitch products
on the market, but from a consumer and home installer standpoint, this one makes the most sense.
Question: Why is www.tandrtailer.com's price so low?
Answer: Since we at www.tandrtrailer.com are very pleased with this hitch and stand
behind it 100%, we are willing to offer it at a less-than suggested retail price to our Internet customers.
All we ask is that you pay the shipping and tell your friends. Also, do your homework: we have consistently
found that we have one of the best prices on the net for this product. So give us a chance to help you!
Question: Your website says that some hitches are for trucks with overload springs.
How do I tell if my truck has overload springs?
Answer: Overload springs are also called "helper springs", and are usually only
found on 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks. They mount on top of the axle just inside each wheel, and look look
leaf springs as well. When an extreme weight is applied to the rear axle from either a trailer or other
load in the bed, each end of the overload springs will come into contact with a frame-mounted stop.
Some trucks have airbag overloads, which have the same function, but are mounted differently. As of
right now, B&W makes hitch models for trucks with overload springs
or airbag overload springs for Pre-1999 Ford truck applications only. All other models of B&W Hitches
will acommidate all trucks with overloads, either stock or aftermarket.
Question: I've never installed one of these hitches before. What is the most critical part
of the installation?
Answer: The most critical part of the installation is the proper placement of the 4"
hole for the center section. If this is done correctly the rest of the installation will be very smooth.
As long as the directions are followed, there won't be any problems. Follow this proceedure: Measure the
distance to the hole from the back of the bed as per the instructions, then center the between the wheel
wells. First drill a 1/8" pilot hole and then remeasure to it's center. If you are satisfied, drill the
hole the rest of the way with a 4" hole saw.
Question: I want to get a spray-in bed liner as well as a Turnoverball™ hitch.
Which should I install first?
Answer: Install the Turnoverball™ hitch first. Then have the spray-in liner installed.
In this way, any gaps between the hole cut in the bed and the collar of the hitch that sticks up through the
bed are hidden by the liner. A Turnoverball™and spray-in bed liner make for a very nice installation.
Question: The information about the Turnoverball™ hitch I need says that I need
to drill some holes in my truck frame. Isn't it harmful to drill through the frame?
Answer: As a general rule, drilling through a truck's frame is not going to
adversely affect the strength of the frame or void the vehicle's warranty. Keep in mind that the manufacturer of
the B&W Turnoverball™ hitches has taken all of these factors into consideration. As installers
of this hitch for many years, we have never seen a case where drilling through a truck's frame has
caused any damage and/or weakness to the frame.
Question: What tools will I need to install the Turnoverball™ hitch?
Answer: Some useful tools for installing the Turnoverball™ hitch are a 4" hole saw,
a come-along or cargo strap, a floor jack, and a line-up punch or spud bar for lining up holes. The only tool
mentioned here that is a "must-have" is the 4" hole saw, but all of the others listed will make installation
a lot easier. See our installation tips in the next question.
Question: Are there any tips that will make installation easier?
Answer: Lay something down to protect the bed rails, such as a piece of carpet or
rubber mat, and lay a board across the bed right over the 4" hole. Then attach a come-along
to it to hold the center section of the hitch in place. Now your hands are free to put the rest of
the hitch together with ease. Also, put a floor jack up underneath the reciever hitch in your truck
and jack up the rear of the truck to make more room in the wheel wells. This makes bolting the
side brackets to the frame much easier. And finally, if the spare tire is carried under the bed,
drop it down and set it to the side to give yourself more room underneath the bed.
Question: Is the B&W Companion™ 5th Wheel Hitch Option dependable?
It doesn't seem to look very sturdy.
Answer: The Companion™ 5th Wheel Hitch is a well made hitch built with ruggedness
in mind. We at T&R have never experienced any difficulties with it. When properly installed, we feel
that the Companion™ 5th Wheel Hitch out-performs every other 5th wheel hitch on the market, whether
it is made by Reese, Putnam, Valley, Rigid, or Quality-S. And at only $649.00, is half the price of most
of them.
Question: Will the B&W Companion™ 5th Wheel Hitch Option rock forward from
heavy trailer pulling and crease my truck bed?
Answer: While we have never seen this happen with any of the installations we have done, one
dealer mentioned that he had seen it happen on some late-model trucks, to the point that minor damage was
done to the truck bed. We have researched the issue and have concluded that installer error was the reason
for the probelm. If you are worried that this may happen to you, make sure that the instructions are followed
exactly, which is all we do. If you would like still further assurance, then you could do this: cut a number
of lengths of 3/8" thick flat strap and lay them in valleys of the bed where the B&W Companion™ 5th
Wheel Hitch will sit. They will then help transfer the towing force to the under-bed hitch. Again, it should
be noted that we have not seen this to be needed as long as the hitch is installed and opperated correctly
as per the instructions.
Question: I have a bed liner in my truck bed. Will that affect the performance of the
Companion™ 5th Wheel Hitch?
Answer: No. If you have a plastic bed liner, the Companion™ can be installed over
the top of it. Follow the installation instructions as normal. However, once you are hitched up to the
trailer, check to see if there has been any compression of the plastic liner. If so, retighten the Companion™
5th Wheel hitch. The same is true if a rubber mat is used. If the Companion™ is being installed over
a spray-in bed liner, install as per the instructions, and nothing else is required. In all cases, even if there
is no liner in the bed, periodically check the hitch for a solid installation.
