FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I want to get a spray in bed liner. Should I do it before or after I have the Turnoverball installed?

Either way works fine. If you have the spray in liner done after the Turnoverball is installed, you have the advantage of the liner covering the cut edges of the hole in the bed.

How often do I need to grease my Turnoverball?

The great thing about having a square base in a round hole is that the dirt has a place to go. How much grease is needed is a function of how much it is used and how dirty the environment. If you notice that the grease coating on your ball is gone, it's probably time to apply more!

Will the Turnoverball work with a Body Lift or Suspension Lift?

The Turnoverball will work with a Suspension Lift, but not with a Body Lift. In order for our hitch to work properly, the distance between the bed and the frame must be maintained. A body lift separates these components.

Can I take my Turnoverball off my old Ford and put it on a Dodge? Or Chevy to Dodge?

B&W Trailer Hitches are made to fit a particular year and make of truck and cannot be moved to a different make of truck. In some cases, a hitch can be moved from an older to a newer truck of the same make. B&W covers only the first installation under warranty.

I have seen a lot of products made by other companies that claim to be compatible with yours. Is this okay?

Other companies can manufacture items and even market them to be used with B&W products, but that does not mean that they are endorsed by us or safe to use. In addition, if these products cause ours to be used outside the 'normal use' of our product then it would void the warranty on ours.

What brand of Airbags work with the Turnoverball?

To the best of our knowledge, Airlift and Firestone build an airbag system that is compatible with the Turnoverball for 2005 and newer trucks.

I can’t get my handle to stay out and it takes two people to operate, is this how it should work?

No. The latch pin system is designed to work by pulling the handle firmly outward until the spring is fully compressed, then rotating the handle clockwise about 1/8th of a turn. This locks the handle out so you can then turn the ball over. (See Image 1 and 2)

If the handle will not lock out using this procedure try troubleshooting with the following steps:

1. Pull the handle out and allow to pop back in 3-4 times to clear any debris from spring.

2. From under the truck check to ensure latch pin handle is properly bolted to the latch pin. There is a square tab welded to the end of the 5/8" latch pin. This tab should point up towards the bottom of the bed, and the loop of the latch pin handle should be on the cab (front) side of the tab. (See Image 3)

3. After trying the two previous solutions, clip one (and only one) coil off the end of the spring. This may allow the spring to compress enough so the latch is operational. (see pictures below)

How difficult is the Turnoverball to install? Can I do it myself?

We have engineered the Turnoverball to be installed easily. Because you don't have to remove the bed, weld, or drill through the frame, the installation basically consists of drilling a four inch hole in the bed and bolting the hitch parts to the frame. Some users feel comfortable doing this themselves, but most consult one of our experienced dealers to do it for them. Installation times vary with experience of the installer and availability of tools (such as a lift or impact wrenches).

What maintenance is recommended for the Turnoverball?

Apply white lithium grease to the Turnoverball square post corners as needed to prevent seizing.

Will the Turnoverball work on trucks equipped with a Rambox?

The Turnoverball can be installed in trucks equipped with the Rambox option. However, you will want to be mindful of the inside turning clearance of your trailer. When Ram installs the Rambox on their trucks, it narrows the inside of the bed significantly.

How do I determine which Turnoverball model I have?

There are no model or parts numbers included on the Turnoverball. The best way to determine which model you have is to contact B&W and supply your truck make, model and year, a description of design details and photos of the side plate and center section. B&W can then assist you in identifying the unit.

I have a short bed truck. Will the Turnoverball work with short beds? Even 5' 6" beds?

As we all know, short bed trucks have become very popular trailer towing vehicles. The short answer is, "yes, the Turnoverball can be installed on every full-sized truck on the market." That said, it is very important that turning clearance is considered for every truck and trailer combination that will be used.

B&W offers a 4-inch extender that plugs into the receiver socket of the Turnoverball and moves the pivot point 4 inches rearward.

B&W also offers the Extend-A-Goose Coupler which offsets your trailer 10".

My Turnoverball has seized up. What can I do to free it?

The first thing to try is to soak the Turnoverball with penetrating oil for up to a few days. If that doesn't loosen it up enough to pull out easily, some light tapping around the ball with a hammer may pop it loose. Just keep in mind that it should be light tapping. You don't want to damage your hitch with heavy hammer blows. If your Turnoverball is still frozen in place, you may have to unbolt the center section from under the truck and have it pressed out. One thing you don't want to do is to use heat to try to free the hitch. Heating up metal can change its temper and strength characteristics.

How do I find the towing rating of my truck?

You will definitely want to know what your truck’s rating is before undertaking any towing activity. While we would love to be able to help our customers with those figures, they vary not only based on Make, Model and Year, but also things like Engine Size, Type of Transmission and even Gear to Axle Ratios. Luckily, there are several places to learn about your truck’s tow rating.

1 – Check your owner’s manual. Most owner’s manuals will have something regarding a tow rating, even for passenger cars. What you may find is that some manufacturers will provide extensive information on important ratings, while others provide a bare minimum.

2 – If your owner’s manual doesn’t provide the information you need, or if what is in there proves to be confusing, contact your local truck dealer. They will usually have that information readily available, or will be able to find it quickly. Having your VIN number handy will help this process along.

3 – Check the manufacturer’s website for the make and model of your truck. If you’re looking at buying a new truck, most manufacturer’s websites will offer at least some figures. If you still can’t find the pertinent information on your own, usually there will be a combination of e-mail, telephone and live chat options where you can hopefully get a direct answer.

How Do I Determine Vertical Tow Weight (VTW)?

Put the back tires of your vehicle on a scale with your trailer fully loaded and unloaded. You would then subtract your empty load from your full load to get your vertical tongue weight.