Turnover Ball Hitch - has anyone used this?

AndyR · Apr 4, 2003

I am looking at a Turnover Ball Hitch for our on-order 5th wheel travel trailer and (down the road) a goosneck trailer for the tractor. Have any of you used this type of hitch before and what is your experience? I like this design because it leaves me a complete bed to use when I am not pulling, unlike the Reese which leaves 2 rails in the bed. I plan to get the 5th wheel companion hitch (basically clamps onto the ball mount) for pulling the trailer. Any comments appreciated. BTW - brake controller will be a Tekonsha Prodigy).

MikePA · Apr 4, 2003

Hi Andy, here's a thread about hitches where the turnover ball is discussed. I have the Reese GN hitch and if I had to do it over again, I'd get the turnover. The rails are not too bad, though. I have a bedliner and the rails are even with the liner, so I do not have a problem sliding things into the bed. The 'biggest' issue I have with the Reese it that the ball sits so far off the bed of the truck that, even with the GN adjusted as short as it can be, the front of our horse/stock trailer sits higher than the rear.

The only problem I can see with the turnover, is that it appears it requires 2 people to install the ball? One person to pull the handle while another drops the ball in?

AndyR · Apr 4, 2003

Thanks for the link - I figured someone here had used it before. The release mechanism locks in the open position so you can install the ball yourself (just remember to lock it down afterwards!). The prices have gone up since that last thread but I'll end up with both capabilities at about the price of just the Reese 5th wheel hitch.

Gary_in_Indiana · Apr 4, 2003

Andy,

I've never used one but I saw a TV episode (Two Guys Garage, maybe?) featuring the installation of one and loved the design and concept. It sure looks like a good way to go.

cowboydoc · Apr 5, 2003

We use them all the time in our trucks. We really like them alot. I have no complaints at all with them.

jray · Apr 6, 2003

I've Got the B/W in my truck and I like it alot. There not that hard to install did mine in about an 1 hr by myself. The worst part is cutting the hole in the bed of the truck. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cowboydoc · Apr 6, 2003

Here's the cheapest place I've found for them. http://www.tandrtrailer.com/hitches/hitches.htm

AndyR · Apr 6, 2003

Thanks - that's about the same price I got from a distributor here in New Hampshire.

HalseyGreen · Apr 6, 2003

I've had one since spring of 1999 on my 89 F350 4x4 crew cab. I looked at all that were around then, and the B&W Turnover got my vote. Don't have the 5th wheel part, but have seen it and its well made. The only complaint is that you need to be sure not to let gravel dust work its way down between the ball and hitch when the ball is upside down. Had to drive it up from the bottom. If you weren't looking for the 5th wheel set up, then another that would get my vote is "the Goose". Its really a nice setup.