B&W Trailer Hitches Turnoverball Model 1108 (Ford) - Manual

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.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
BALL LOCATION:
STEP 1 – MARKING AND CUTTING 4 INCH HOLE IN TRUCK BED
Begin by measuring for the correct hole location in the truck bed floor. Measure from the tail gate end of the truck bed floor by hook-
ing a tape measure over the end of the truck box and mark the floor at 47”. Next find the center point between the wheel wells,
where these marks intersect with the first measurement will be the center point of your four inch hole. This Location is critical to
the correct installation of the B & W Turnoverball™ so measure, mark and saw carefully. Make a four inch hole at this location. B&W
recommends using a four inch hole saw, however the hole can be cut by other means. If your truck has a spray-in bed liner you will
need to take into account when you are measuring to add the thickness of the applied liner that has been sprayed over the end of the
bed. If your truck has a Drop-in plastic bed liner, you may saw through both, but it is more difficult to accurately locate the midpoint
between the fender wheel wells, and to be sure that the bed liner does not move when sawing the hole. Once you have the four inch
hole in the bed use a deburring tool or a die grinder and carefully remove the burr from the under side of the bed around the hole.
STEP 2 – HEAT SHIELD REMOVAL
Remove the heat shield located above the rear axle under the truck bed.
STEP 3 – BRAKE CABLE & FUEL LINE BRACKET
On 2004 and older trucks the emergency brake cable located on the outside of the
driver’s side frame will have to be relocated. Knock the mounting stud out of the frame
and discard. A relocating bolt is furnished in the kit and will be installed later.
On trucks equipped with a gasoline engine it may be necessary to relocate a fuel line
bracket. If the oval hole in the driver’s side frame just above the axle is partially blocked
you will need to relocate the bracket. This bracket may be held by a nut and stud on the
outside of the frame or by a plastic retainer pushed through the frame from the inside.
Remove the nut or push the plastic retainer through the frame so the bracket can be
rotated 90 degrees. Next install the relocation bracket supplied in the kit. Using a 5/16”
carriage bolt and flange nut bolt the bracket to the inside of the frame as shown in the
diagram. The factory fuel line bracket can now be reinstalled on the relocation bracket.
If there is a threaded stud on the bracket, Place the stud through the outer hole and
fasten with the nut removed earlier. If the bracket has a plastic retainer, push it through
the inner hole in the relocation bracket.
STEP 5 – BED FLANGE MODIFICATION
Some models of trucks will allow the crossmembers to slide between the frame
and bed without modification. If this is not possible a small notch needs to be
made in the flange on the driver’s side of the truck. (see diagram)
Locate the front truck bed cross member in the wheel well. Measure from the
back of the cross member and make a mark at 1 ½” this measurement is im-
portant. This will be the center point for the notch that is needed. Mark and cut
a 7/8”” wide by 3/8” tall notch.
STEP 6 – CROSS MEMBER INSTALLATION
The 1108 mounting kit is supplied with two angle crossmembers. The rear
crossmember has three notches and will be installed first. Slide the rear cross-
member between the frame and bed on the driver’s side. If necessary use the notch
cut into the bed flange in step 5. Make certain the leg of the angle with the oval holes
is facing toward the cab. After sliding the angle in about half way it may need to be
guided onto the other frame from the underside the truck. At this point the angle should
span between both frame rails and in front of the shock bracket on the passenger side.
Next using the notch over the shock bracket for clearance, roll the angle iron over the
bracket while sliding it toward the rear. It is important to hold the driver’s side of
the crossmember upward against the bed floor and forward against the bed
crossmember. Continue to slide it back until it is about four inches behind the four inch
hole that has been drilled in the bed. Next install the front angle in the same manor ex-
cept for the leg of the angle with the oval holes should face the rear of the truck during
installation. Slide it rearward just behind the shock bracket and leave until needed for
installation. When installed correctly the two angle legs with the holes should be facing
each other.
**** HAND TIGHTEN ALL HARDWARE IN STEPS 7 AND 8 ****
STEP 7 – INSTALL CLAMPING STRAP & SIDE PLATES
If the emergency brake cable has been removed from the frame, place a 5/16”
carriage bolt (included) through the small square hole in the driver side side-
plate, add a 5/16” nut loosely to hold in place. This will be used for attaching the
emergency brake cable bracket. Next you will need to install the clamping strap
and side plate on the driver side of the truck. Take a side plate clamp and posi-
tion around the frame approximately 6 ½” in front of the slotted hole on the side
of the frame. Next take the driver side sideplate and slide the bottom side of the
sideplate between the clamping strap and the frame (see picture). Guide the stud
on the clamping strap through the hole in the top of the sideplate place a ½” lock
washer and nut on the stud. Next place a ½” bolt through the hole in the bottom
of the clamping strap and the sideplate and add a ½” lock washer and nut. Next
install a pipe spacer between the side plate and the frame and place the ¾” bolt
through the sideplate, pipe spacer, and the frame then add a ¾” flat washer, lock
washer and nut. Repeat the process for the passenger side.
STEP 8 – INSTALL THE CENTER SECTION
Raise the center section into position between the cross members from beneath the truck, with the latch pin release handle on the
driver side. A lifting device, as described on page 1 will help. The round hitch receiver that protrudes from the top of the center sec-
tion must fit through the hole in the truck bed floor. Slide the angles against the center section (an adjustable wrench can be used to
stand the angles up if needed) and bolt together using six ½” x 1 ½” bolts. Place the bolts with a flat washer through the slots in the
cross member and through the holes in the center section and add a ½” lock washer and nut. Next bolt the side plates to the angle
cross members using a ½” x 1 ½” bolt through the side plate, through the angle and add a ½” flat washer, lock washer and nut.
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 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.
BEFORE INSTALLING-
OVERHEAD LIFTING DEVICE
STEP 9 – TIGHTEN HARDWARE
1. Tighten the center section to cross member bolts to 80 ft pounds. 2. Check to ensure the assembled center section is square
with the frame. 3. Tighten the ¾” side plate bolts to 120 ft pounds. 4. Tighten the bottom clamping strap bolts to side plate to 80 ft
pounds. 5. Tighten the clamping strap studs to 60 ft pounds. 6. Tighten the side plate to angle bolts 80 ft pounds. If the emergency
brake cable has been removed, take the 5/16” nut off the previously installed bolt. Place the emergency brake cable bracket over
the bolt, replace the nut and tighten.
STEP 4 – EXHAUST BRACKET REMOVAL
On 2005 and newer trucks equipped with a diesel engine the tail pipe will need to be lowered. First remove the tail pipe bracket just
behind the rear tire on the passenger side. This will be reattached later.
****SAFETY NOTICE***** On 2008 and newer trucks we recommend removing
the spare tire heat shield to avoid injury.
REMOVE SPARE TIRE BEFORE INSTALLING HITCH.
STEP 10 – INSTALL LATCH PIN RELEASE HANDLE
WARNING: LATCH PIN WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IF HANDLE IS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY.
Install the handle from underneath the truck by inserting it through the slot in the end of the center section toward the driver’s side
rear tire as shown. Attach the handle to the latch pin as shown with the handle on the “cab side” of the square tab welded to the pin.
The head of the bolt must be on the handle side, and the
lock nut must be on the tab side. The tab is welded to the
pin in an offset position so that the handle will be lined
up over the center of the pin. If the handle is fastened
to the other side of the tab, the handle will not function
properly. When installed correctly the latch pin may be
disengaged from the ball by pulling on the handle from the
driver’s side wheel well and rotating the handle clockwise.
Long and short bed installation = 47”