B&W Trailer Hitches Turnoverball Model 1303 (Dodge) - Manual (Page 2)

BEFORE INSTALLING
OVERHEAD LIFTING DEVICE
An overhead-lifting device, such as chain falls, engine hoist, or cable come-a-long, can be used to lift the center
section of the hitch in place. Lower a loop of rope or chain through the 4” hole in the truck bed f oor and attach it to
the latch pin in the round hitch receiv er tube in the center section. Use the lifting device to r aise the center section
until the round hitch receiv er tube that protrudes from the center section f ts in the 4” hole in the truck bed f oor.
Maintaining upward pressure may facilitate fastening the crossmember to the center section, especially if the truck bed
f oor has been distorted downward from heavy use. If you use an overhead-lifting device, it should be disconnected
before squaring the center section across the frame, installing the sideplates and torquing fasteners.
WARNING
Most trucks have FUEL LINES and/or BRAKE LINES and/or ELECTRICAL WIRES located along the fr ame rails where
B&W Turnover Ball hitches install. Carefully examine the location of fuel lines, brake lines and electrical wires BEFORE
INSTALLATION. Be certain you will not damage fuel lines, brake lines or electrical wires when positioning hitch com-
ponents, drilling holes, tightening fasteners, and lifting and lowering the truck bed. The fuel tank vent, located on top
of the gas tank, can be easily damaged during the installation of the hitch components. Care must be tak en when
positioning the front crossmember and center section components.
WARNING
On the short bed trucks, BEFORE INST ALLING THIS HIT CH, check for adequate turning clear ance 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.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The 2003 Dodge 2500 and 3500 long and short bed truck has a tubular fr ame, instead of the traditional “C” shaped
channel frame. The Turnover Ball gooseneck hitch for this truck clamps to the frame and installation is accomplished
without any welding, drilling, or modif cation of the truck frame.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1A:
Begin by marking the location for the hole in the truck bed f oor. Measure from the back
end (tail gate end) of the truck bed f oor by hooking a tape measure over the back of the truck
box and mark the f oor at the correct location. Next, mark the center between the wheel wells.
This will be the center point for the 4” hole. This location is critical to the correct installation
of this hitch, so measure, mark, and saw carefully.
LONG BED INSTALLATION 47 7/8”
SHORT BED INSTALLATION 45 7/8”
STEP 1B:
If the truck has a plastic bed liner, you may drill through both, but it is more dif f cult to
accurately locate the midpoint between the wheel wells, and to be sure that the bed liner does
not move while sawing the hole. Mak e a 4 inch hole at this location using a four inch hole
saw, or by marking a 4 inch circle and cutting it out with a saber saw equipped with a metal
cutting blade.
STEP 2
Install the two crossmembers. They will be installed by sliding them from
inside the wheel well, above the tire, through the gap between the bed and the
truck’s frame and across until they span the fr ame rails. The gap between the
bed and frame is large enough to allow this, but the gap is partially obstructed
by a sheet metal f ange (about 1 inch in height) that is hanging down from the
bottom of the truck bed f oor. A small notch needs to be made in this f ange on
the Passenger’s side of the truck. Locate the 7/16” hole in this f ange above
the axle and enlarge the hole by remo ving the metal below the hole so that a
notch is created. This will allow the rear crossmember to be installed.