1. The B&W Companion is an accessory that works in conjunction with its Turnover Ball gooseneck hitch.

2. Chad from Dedicated Express of Hemet, California, was recruited for final assembly and installation of the product.

3. Chad began by assembling the Companion fifth wheel. The pivot arms mount to the base of RV base plate. These arms have some degree of adjustment laterally and in height. You want to ensure that you have clearance between the truck cab, bed railing, and the trailer. These adjustments can be changed at any time.

4. Once the RV base was fully assembled and the RV post was attached, the saddle was installed to complete the process.

5. Chad measured the location for the Turnover Ball. For this application he measured 47 inches from the tailgate and then centered it between the wheel wells.

6. Once Chad determined that his measurements were correct (measure twice, cut once) he opened up a 4-inch hole for the gooseneck ball off the Turnover Ball kit.

7. The crossmember, clamping strap, and side-plate installations of the Turnover Ball take some patience. Together they secure the Companion hitch to the vehicle. It’s not difficult, but you might have to notch the crossmembers to get them to fit between the bed and the frame rails. Once installed, the entire assembly bolts to the frame.

8. The center plate of the Turnover Ball hitch must be lifted in place from the bed. Chad designed this nifty jig to do the job and it works great. Don’t worry he didn’t patent it, so you can make your own!

9. Here’s a look the side plates, which bolt directly to the frame rails.

10. From under the vehicle, we see the latch pin release handle. The emergency brake cable on the Ford had to be moved in order to install the plate. Also, on 2008 and newer Super Duty trucks with the diesel engine, the exhaust will have to be lowered at the rear exhaust tree. B&W supplies the correct bracket to do the job.

11. From inside the bed, Chad drilled holes for the safety chain U-bolts.

12. With the Turnover Ball completed, Chad was ready to mount the Companion hitch.

13. Chad removed the saddle from the Companion to reduce the weight before it was lifted into place.

14. With the RV base assembly of the fifth wheel secured, Chad rechecked all the bolts to ensure everything was tightened. Check all bolts to ensure that they are torqued to factory specs as provided by B&W.

15. Since we swapped out the old for new, we decided to rewire the original electrical connection for the trailer. The EZ Connector female plate was mounted inside the bed of the Ford.

16. The trailer was also rewired using the complete kit from EZ Connector.

17. Here Loren Taylor snaps the male end into the female receptacle, and we rolled out of town with much more confidence.