B&W Trailer Hitches 1394R - 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 floor and attach
it to the latch pin in the round hitch receiver tube in the center section. Use the lifting device to raise the center
section until the round hitch receiver tube that protrudes from the center section fits in the 4” hole in the truck bed
floor. Maintaining upward pressure may facilitate fastening the crossmember to the center section, especially if the
truck bed floor 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 frame rails where
B&W Turnoverball™ 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 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.
WARNING
On the 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.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: MARKING AND CUTTING THE 4” HOLE IN THE TRUCK BED
Begin by marking the location for the hole in the truck bed floor. Measure from the back end
(tail gate end) of the truck bed floor by hooking a tape measure over the back of the truck
box and mark the floor 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.
SHORT BED INSTALLATION 44 3/8”
LONG BED INSTALLATION 48 3/8”
NOTE:
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: CROSS-MEMBER INSTALLATION
From the under side of the truck, first position the rear cross member across the top
of the frame rails, between the bed and frame then position the front cross member
across the top of the frame rails, between the bed and frame. The cross members are
installed by angling them over the rear end housing and exhaust pipe onto the passenger
side frame rail until you clear the shock on the driver side of the truck. Position the front
cross member against the truck bed cross member. Position the rear cross member with
the slots facing the rear of the truck, with the horizontal side of the angle at the top,
about 9” behind the front cross member.