Forum Discussion

Mikesr's avatar
Mikesr
Explorer
Jan 30, 2020

Turning Point Pin Box questions

Thinking of going to a FW after years TT experience. The unit we’re looking at has a Lippert Turning Point pin box and I’m looking for recommendations on a hitch that will work with this setup. The FW is just under 9 K lbs and 34 feet long. My TV is a 2016 Chevy 2500HD gas 6.0. The truck does not have the factory puck system. I would like an under bed rail installation allowing the bed no obstructions when hitch is removed.
Can anyone recommend a hitch ? I’m planning to visit my local truck accessories center for the hitch and rails installation. I understand the Turning Point can be locked out to be more like a conventional pin box but I’d like to know before buying the wrong hitch if that’s the best way to go or just get the right hitch that works with the Turning Point from the start.
Thanks in advance
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jan 30, 2020
    Durb wrote:
    laknox wrote:
    Durb wrote:
    Here are some hitches you can't use: Andersen, Pullrite Super Lite, B&W companion with turnover ball mount. Someone may comment if you can add factory pucks. If so, the Companion for the puck system would be a good choice. I would stay clear of all single point attachment hitches with a gooseneck ball mount as they may rotate in the bed some.


    I've had a TO Ball/Companion combo since 2004. Not once have I had any movement of my Companion, towing or not. Would I love to have a Companion on pucks? Hell yeah, but that pesky $80 grand for a new truck sorta gets in the way...

    Lyle


    Did you use your Companion with a Sidewinder or Turning point hitch with a lock-out capture plate? B&W specifically says to not use the turnover ball hitch for these applications in their instructions. Their rule, not mine. You can access the instruction manual on their website.


    I have only ever had standard pin boxes, so, no. I did call B&W and ask about this, though, and they stated that ONLY the TO Ball mounted Companions were subject to the "rule" about not using a Sidewinder, etc., pin box; puck mounted Companions were safe to use with those types of pin boxes. B&W's # is (800) 810-4918.

    Lyle
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    Jan 30, 2020
    MFL wrote:
    laknox wrote:


    I've had a TO Ball/Companion combo since 2004. Not once have I had any movement of my Companion, towing or not. Would I love to have a Companion on pucks? Hell yeah, but that pesky $80 grand for a new truck sorta gets in the way...

    Lyle


    Hey Lyle...first off, you don't need all the bells, electronic gadgets, etc. You could easily go get a new 3500 SRW, with what you actually need/use for a mere 50-60K. :C

    Jerry


    On the Ford Build and price site -
    Basic, 2020 -Crew Cab, 4X4 , 6.7, LB, SRW, 5ver prep kit, XLT package

    MSRP is-$60,485.00.. less incentives, and dealer deduction... No reason to believe that cant be had for under 50k
  • Durb's avatar
    Durb
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2020
    laknox wrote:
    Durb wrote:
    Here are some hitches you can't use: Andersen, Pullrite Super Lite, B&W companion with turnover ball mount. Someone may comment if you can add factory pucks. If so, the Companion for the puck system would be a good choice. I would stay clear of all single point attachment hitches with a gooseneck ball mount as they may rotate in the bed some.


    I've had a TO Ball/Companion combo since 2004. Not once have I had any movement of my Companion, towing or not. Would I love to have a Companion on pucks? Hell yeah, but that pesky $80 grand for a new truck sorta gets in the way...

    Lyle


    Did you use your Companion with a Sidewinder or Turning point hitch with a lock-out capture plate? B&W specifically says to not use the turnover ball hitch for these applications in their instructions. Their rule, not mine. You can access the instruction manual on their website.
  • bpounds's avatar
    bpounds
    Nomad
    Jan 30, 2020
    I'm assuming you have a short bed truck.

    If you happen to have a long bed, I would get rid of that Lippert Turning Point and get a conventional pinbox. It will bolt right in.

    If you have a short bed, chances are good the answer would be the same. Assuming the fiver has clipped front corners as most do these days.

    Once you are rid of the LTP pin box, the hitch world is your oyster.
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jan 30, 2020
    MFL wrote:
    laknox wrote:


    I've had a TO Ball/Companion combo since 2004. Not once have I had any movement of my Companion, towing or not. Would I love to have a Companion on pucks? Hell yeah, but that pesky $80 grand for a new truck sorta gets in the way...

    Lyle


    Hey Lyle...first off, you don't need all the bells, electronic gadgets, etc. You could easily go get a new 3500 SRW, with what you actually need/use for a mere 50-60K. :C

    Jerry


    Diesel, 4x4, crew cab? Sure be nice...Dad! :B

    Lyle
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jan 30, 2020
    laknox wrote:


    I've had a TO Ball/Companion combo since 2004. Not once have I had any movement of my Companion, towing or not. Would I love to have a Companion on pucks? Hell yeah, but that pesky $80 grand for a new truck sorta gets in the way...

    Lyle


    Hey Lyle...first off, you don't need all the bells, electronic gadgets, etc. You could easily go get a new 3500 SRW, with what you actually need/use for a mere 50-60K. :C

    Jerry
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jan 30, 2020
    Durb wrote:
    Here are some hitches you can't use: Andersen, Pullrite Super Lite, B&W companion with turnover ball mount. Someone may comment if you can add factory pucks. If so, the Companion for the puck system would be a good choice. I would stay clear of all single point attachment hitches with a gooseneck ball mount as they may rotate in the bed some.


    I've had a TO Ball/Companion combo since 2004. Not once have I had any movement of my Companion, towing or not. Would I love to have a Companion on pucks? Hell yeah, but that pesky $80 grand for a new truck sorta gets in the way...

    Lyle
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jan 30, 2020
    I've seen many people here (and elsewhere) allude to aftermarket puck kits that can be installed if you don't have OEM pucks. The upside to pucks is that some hitches, B&W Companion for one, actually give you a higher rating with pucks than with their Turnover Ball. For me, I have a GN trailer, so needed the GN, thus giving me dual hitching capability. Not sure if there is an aftermarket GN kit that's a replacement for the OEM GN prep. Yes, B&W makes the TO Ball and there have been various other kits (I had a folding ball years before I got my FW; it sucked), but as for a straight OEM replacement, I've not seen or heard about one.

    Lyle
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    Jan 30, 2020
    I use a Pullrite Superglide with the super rails. Once you remove the hitch out of the bed, you pull 4 lock pins and remove those.
    Once removed the super rails lift up and you remove them, leaving 4 pins through the bed , hooked into the frame rail.
    Twist those 4 pins about 1/2 turn and they lift up...

    You then have a completely empty bed.

    I have been using this type of hitch since 2007, and replaced my old one with the one I have now in March of 2018..

    And Pullrite is awesome to deal with.....
  • Durb's avatar
    Durb
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2020
    Here are some hitches you can't use: Andersen, Pullrite Super Lite, B&W companion with turnover ball mount. Someone may comment if you can add factory pucks. If so, the Companion for the puck system would be a good choice. I would stay clear of all single point attachment hitches with a gooseneck ball mount as they may rotate in the bed some.

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