B&W Gooseneck Hitch Install
B&W Trailer Hitches’ “Turnover Ball” gooseneck hitch an easy towing upgrade
by Bruce W. Smith
Towing gooseneck trailers is far more commonplace in the landscaping and construction world than it was a decade ago. So much so that some pickup manufacturers now offer prep packages for gooseneck hitches.
Goosenecks are superb for towing compact loaders and smaller equipment as these types of trailers balance the tongue weight of a loaded trailer more evenly across the chassis, greatly improving handling over a traditional tow-behind trailer setup – and without need of a weight-distributing hitch.
A gooseneck setup also allows your pickup to tow the maximum while staying within the manufacturer’s “properly-equipped” requirements.
Goosenecks hitch quickly, and when the towing chores are done the ball can be removed so the bed remains open for other uses. In the case of B&W Hitches’ (turnoverball.com; 800-248-6564) Turnover Ball setup, the ball is literally pulled out, turned over, and dropped back into the hitch base after the trailer is dropped.
The Turnover Ball installation is one of the easiest on the market. Start to finish takes less than 45 minutes with basic hand tools – even less if you have done one before.
Here’s a snapshot of how Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s Truck Supply and Outfitters did the install on our 2011 F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab. (For more detailed step-by-step, go to Project Super Crew “Installs” section at propickupmag.com.)
1 A four-inch hole is cut into the bed center. New Super Duties already have the location stamped in the bed.
2 A small notch is cut into the bed/body pinch weld and a pair of support crossmembers are slid over the frame rails.
3 The B&W Turnover Ball center section is lifted into place and loosely bolted to the two support crossmembers.
4 A side support plate is bolted to the outside of each frame rail and the crossmembers bolted to the flanges. Then all mounting hardware bolts are tightened per the instructions and the latch handle attached.
5 Now you see it, now you don’t. The Turnover Ball takes just seconds to convert bed from tow to haul mode. Lift up, turn over, drop back into the bed.
