Companion Fifth-Wheel

If you think you would enjoy all the towing benefits of a conventional fifth-wheel, but don't want to give up any truck bed space by permanently mounting it, then a B&W Turnover Ball and Companion fifth-wheel is the next best thing.

B&W Trailer Hitches developed its Companion fifth-wheel kit as an accessory to its Turnover Ball gooseneck hitch. Together, the B&W combo provides all the usefulness of a fifth-wheel and gooseneck setup, while giving you freedom to use the bed for cargo storage whenever you want.

Some permanently mounted fifth-wheels and goosenecks can offer great trailer-weight towing capability, but the reality is, most RV enthusiasts don't need it, and tow only lightweight trailers occasionally, then use the truck for other things the rest of the week. That's what makes this type of system so appealing to the average user. It's available when you need it, and can be hidden away when you don't.

What's more, both the B&W Companion and Turnover Ball hitch are bolt-on kits designed for the do-it-yourselfer.

Turnover Ball Hitch
The first thing on our agenda was to locate a shop in the area that specialized in aftermarket installations, not so much for its technical help, but for the tools. So we called on the Four X Doctor from Burbank, California. You won't, however, need the lift or a rollaway full of tools, because the installation can be handled with jackstands and a few wrenches. We just wanted to be prepared.

An '06 Dodge Ram was the test mule for this installation. The truck had a factory bedliner and a standard 8-foot bed. The B&W Turnover Ball kit works on the shortbed version too, but you have to check for adequate clearance between the front of your trailer and truck cab before you start the installation work.

The B&W Turnover Ball works like a typical gooseneck hitch, but as the name implies, it features a ball that can be turned upside down and stored out of sight when not in use. The design is innovative and convenient and gives you back the full bed without a ball protruding from the floor.

While the Turnover Ball kit is completely bolt-on, there were a few things we discovered during our install-the heavy centersection of the Turnover Ball hitch assembly could pose a problem for some people to bolt into place. B&W recommended lifting it up by a chain or rope through a 4-inch hole that had to be cut in the bed (see photos) centered over the rear axle. On the Dodge Ram installation, we also had to make a V-notch cut to clear the crossmember. This V-notch requirement only applied to certain makes and models of trucks.

We also discovered that you can cut through a regular bedliner for the ball insert, but it can be more difficult to locate the midpoint between the wheelwells by doing so. You also have to be sure that the liner doesn't move on you during this step.

Overall, the installation process of the Turnover Ball hardware was easy. For safety reasons, we checked underneath the truck to ensure there are no fuel, brake, or electrical lines in the way before any bolts were tightened. Its fit was flawless and we were honestly amazed by how quickly things came together, thanks to the manufacturer's prior R&D of the product.

The B&W Turnover Ball hitch is rated for 30,000 pounds (Gross Trailer Weight) with a tongue weight rating of 7,500 pounds. Because the B&W Turnover Ball is designed specifically for each make and model truck, all the parts should simply bolt on to existing mounting points from the factory.

Looking back, here's what we got: a hitch made in America that met all OEM (original equipment) requirements, a setup that offered seven towing accessories (kingpins, hi-rise balls, and so on) to accommodate all future needs, and most importantly, a gooseneck that converts from a hitch to a level bed in seconds!