B&W Trailer Hitches Turnoverball Model 1057 (Chevrolet_GMC) - Manual

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
STEP ONE - REMOVE SPARE TIRE AND HEAT SHIELD
Removing the spare tire will ease in the installation of the hitch. Refer to the owner’s
manual for the spare tire removal instructions. A section of the exhaust heat shield
will need to be removed. Locate the bed crossmember that is directly over the axle
and the next one forward (toward the front of the truck). The section of heat shield
between these two crossmembers will have to be removed. This can be removed by
cutting along the crossmembers with tin snips or an air chisel. Make sure that none
of the heat shield is protruding past the front of the bed crossmember that is directly
over the axle this could interfere with the rear hitch crossmember.
STEP TWO - REMOVE EXHAUST HANGER
To ease in the installation of the center section remove the tail pipe hanger from the
rubber mount. Simply pry the pin on the hanger out of the rubber mount. Once this is done a spacer can be placed
between the frame and tail pipe to add clearance between the tail pipe and the bottom of the truck bed.
STEP THREE - MARKING AND CUTTING 4 INCH HOLE IN TRUCK BED
Begin by measuring for the correct hole location in the truck bed floor. Measure from the tail gate end of the truck bed
floor by hooking a tape measure over the end of the truck box and mark the floor at the correct measurement (See be-
low). Next find the center point between the wheel wells, where these marks intersect with the first measurement will
be the center point of your four inch hole. This Location is critical to the correct installation of the B & W Turnoverball™
so measure, mark and saw carefully. Make a four inch hole at this location. B & W recommends using a four inch hole
saw, however the hole can be cut by other means. If your truck has a spray-in bed liner you will need to take into ac-
count when you are measuring to add the thickness of the applied liner that has been sprayed over the end of the bed.
If your truck has a drop-in plastic bed liner, you may saw through both, but it is more difficult to accurately locate the
midpoint between the fender wheel wells, and to be sure that the bed liner does not move when sawing the hole. Once
you have the four inch hole in the bed use a deburring tool or a die grinder and carefully remove the burr from the under
side of the bed around the hole.
TIP: B & W uses a 2”x
8”x 30” board with a 4”
hole pre-drilled in it as
a drilling guide to pre-
vent the hole saw from
moving while sawing the
four inch hole in the bed.
STEP FIVE - CROSSMEMBER INSTALLATION
Slide the angle iron cross member between the truck frame and the bed using the notch
that was made in step four. Be sure the holes in the cross member are facing the rear of
the truck. Once you start sliding the angle across the frame of the truck, we recommend
that you get under the truck and guide it across the frame rails taking care not to dam-
age the brake lines along the driver side of the frame or fuel valve located on the back of
the fuel tank on some models. Once the crossmember is across the frame rails using the
rubber O-ring provided, secure a 1/2” 1-1/2” long bolt into the second hole in the cross
member from the drivers side. Next push the crossmember forward until the crossmember
is about four inches in front of the four inch hole in the truck
bed, making sure that the notch in the angle carefully goes
over the brake lines and wiring harness. Next install the cross
member bar between the truck frame and the bed. Start sliding
the bar across the frame then get under the truck to guide the
bar across the frame of the truck. Next rotate the bar a quarter
turn so the threaded holes are toward the bottom (an adjustable
wrench can aid in rotating the bar). Then slide the bar toward
the back of the truck until it is against the bed cross member.
STEP SIX - CENTER SECTION INSTALLATION
Raise the center section into position between the cross-
members and carefully move it above the fuel tank from
beneath the truck. The receiver socket must be positioned
to the rear with the latch pin release arm on the driver’s
side. A lifting device, as described on Page 2 will help.
The round hitch receiver that protrudes from the top of
the center section must fit through the hole in the truck
bed floor. Slide the front cross member back against
the center section so that the bolt installed previously
in the front cross member goes into the center section
hole directly across from it. Line up the rest of the holes and attach the two members with 1/2” x 1 1/2” long bolts,
lock washers, and nuts. Insert four 1/2” x 1 1/2” bolts, with flat and lock washer installed, through the rear leg of the
center section into the threaded holes of the rear crossmember and hand tighten.
Locate indicated hardware needed for this step and have it handy. Next, locate oval hole on the outside of the frame.
It is located about 4 inches behind the axle and measures roughly 1” x 1½”. To begin, place carriage bolt through hole
in locking strap. Next, hold the bolt and locking strap by only the bolt threads. Insert the long end of the locking strap
into the hole in the frame. Continue to move the locking strap into the frame until the head of the bolt passes into the
oval hole. Maneuver the bolt until the entire locking strap is inside the frame. Continue to hold onto the threads of
the bolt. With your free hand place
the frame bushing over the threads
and carefully move it into the oval in
the frame. This will insure that the
bolt is centered in the slot. Once you
are sure the frame bushing is inside
the oval hole and against the locking
strap, thread the retainer onto the
bolt threads. Tighten retainer so
bolt is held securely to the frame.
If necessary, a screwdriver may be
used in the small slot provided to
turn the retainer to make it tight.
The gap between the bed and frame is large enough to allow installation
of the crossmembers, but the gap is partially obstructed by a sheet metal
flange (about 1 inch in height) that is hanging down from the bottom of the
truck bed floor. (See diagram). A small notch needs to be made in this flange
on the Passenger’s side of the truck. Locate the truck bed cross member
over the axle in the wheel well on the passenger side of the truck. Measure
from the front of the cross member and make a mark at 6 ½”. This will be
the center point for the notch that is needed. Mark and cut a 1” wide by ½”
tall notch.
STEP FOUR - BED FLANGE MODIFICATION
Truck Location
Short Bed 44 1/8”
***HAND TIGHTEN ALL HARDWARE IN STEPS 6 THROUGH 9***
STEP SEVEN – INSTALL SIDEPLATE STUDS
Step 1:
Locate the fuel valve.
Step 2:
Disengage the locking pin.
Step 3:
Slide fuel valve from bracket.
APPLICATION UPDATE:
Beginning in 2004, a fuel valve mounted on the rear of the fuel tank on trucks equipped with gas engines, makes it more dif-
ficult to install the Turnoverball™ center section. This fuel valve can be easily removed and replaced to ease installation. Please
follow the following instructions:
Step 4:
Install Turnoverball™ Center Section.
Step 5: Replace fuel valve to bracket on fuel tank.
Warning
On Short bed trucks, BEFORE INSTALLING THIS HITCH, check for adequate turning clearance between the front of all
of your trailers and the truck cab.
Warning
DO NOT invert the ball in the socket when carrying heavy loads on 2 wheel drive trucks. The ball may hit the top of
the differential. Remove the ball from the socket before loading. A plug for the socket is available from B & W.
FITS SHORT BED TRUCKS ONLY