B&W Trailer Hitches 1316R - Manual (Page 2)

WARNING
Most trucks have FUEL LINES and/or BRAKE LINES and/or ELECTRICAL WIRES located along the frame rails where
B&W Turnoverball™ hitches install. Carefully examine the location of fuel lines, brake lines and electrical wires BE-
FORE INSTALLATION. Be certain you will not damage fuel lines, brake lines or electrical wires when positioning hitch
components, 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 taken
when positioning the front crossmember and center section components. We recommend removing the bed bolts on
the driver’s side and lifting the bed to give you more clearance during installation of the hitch parts under the bed floor.
WARNING
On Short bed trucks, BEFORE INSTALLING THIS HITCH, check for adequate turning clearance between 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 2002-2006 Dodge 1500 long and short bed truck has a tubular frame, instead of the traditional “C” shaped channel
frame. The Turnoverball™ gooseneck hitch for this truck clamps to the frame and installation is accomplished without
any welding, drilling, or modification of the truck frame.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1A: LONG BED INSTALLATION
Begin by marking the location for the hole in the truck bed floor. Measure from the back
end of the truck bed floor by hooking a tape measure over the back of the sheet metal and
mark the floor at 47 5/8” and centered between the wheel wells. This location is critical to
the correct installation of this hitch, so measure, mark, and saw carefully.
STEP 1A: SHORT BED INSTALLATION
Begin by marking the location for the hole in the truck bed floor. Measure from the back
end of the truck bed floor by hooking a tape measure over the back of the sheet metal and
mark the floor at 45 3/4” and centered between the wheel wells. This location is critical to
the correct installation of this hitch, so measure, mark, and saw carefully.
STEP 1B:
If the truck has a plastic bed liner, you may drill through both, but it is more difficult to
accurately locate the midpoint between the wheel wells, and to be sure that the bed liner
does not move while sawing the hole. Make 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 frame rails. The gap between
the bed and frame is large enough to allow this, 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. A small notch needs to be made in this
flange on the Passenger side of the truck. Locate the 7/16 hole in this flange above the axle and enlarge the hole
by removing the metal below the hole so that a notch is created. This will allow the crossmembers to be installed.
(see pictures below)
Install the angle iron first. On 2002 though 2005 model trucks the angle leg with the notches should face the rear of
the truck when installing though the notch. On 2006 and newer model trucks the angle leg with the notches should
face the front of the truck when installing though the notch. Hold the angle in an inverted “V” position, and push the
angle across the frame using the notch for clearance at the apex of the angle. With the angle
spanning the frame, move it rearward toward the bed crossmember. Repeat this procedure
with the 1x2 bar with threaded holes. With the bar spanning the frame turn it so that it is
in a vertical position and push the bar forward until it is against the front cross member.