B&W is the way to go! This is the 4th B&W that I have had in a truck and am very pleased with their product. If I can remember correctly the price was around $450 installed. I did a tool box, spray in bedliner, brush guard, window tint, etc.........so I dropped a chunk of change that day!

I work for large University in Texas and in 2004 I convienced our folks to start using the B&W for a number of reasons. Our fleet of 24'-40' trailers have either inverted kingpins or 2 5/16" ball setups. B&W has several "ball" options and it keeps us 100% DOT compliant.

By the way, if you are in the market for a flat bed/hauler bid B&W makes a great one.

 

installed b&w pull 25K with it no probs...and i installed it myself, well my wife was watching telling me not to curse so much, but b&w is the only way to go.I bought mine off ebay for 3?? and bought the drill bit for $25 installed it in about 2hrs but with help you could do it in about an hour

 

BW here, too. Got it off of ebay for around $345 with shipping, no sales tax. Local was around $380 plus tax. Easy install. I saved $50 or so buying my Prodigy off of ebay compared to local, too.

 

So would someone tell me why in the world I would pay around $400 for a, bolt in, hitch installed when I can get a hitch welded in for $200(including parts, brake box, and labor) and it is unbreakable to boot.

 

Because you have money to burn? Some folks are afraid of welding and/or drilling holes. DC released TSB 13-001-03 "Frame Alterations" early in '03, a copy of which may be found here; http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2003/13-001-03.htm or http://tinyurl.com/y33ek7

My 5th wheel hitch brackets are welded to the frame. No issues on 10k mile trip x-country and back hauling the Fox, nor up to AK and back on another 10k mile jaunt. YMMV

 

I read the TSB but i didn't see anything that would change my mind about getting a weld in hitch. As long as you have a compenent welder doing the work I don't see the problem.

 

Weld it if that's what you want. It will work fone. Just not as neat or good a setup. Why not just get a plate for 50.00 at Tractror supply and weld it. That will work too and be cheaper by far.

 

I already have it installed and it doesn't look to be as bad of an eyesore(unless you have wheel well liners) that the B&W does. Tractor supply doesn't carry the materials used for my g-neck hitch.
48" of 8" channel iron
36" of 4" channel iron
2 pieces of 8"x8" plate
2 5/16" ball w/ 2 1/2" shaft w/ nut

 

One reason would be if you needed the flexibility of using mutilple types of ***** - ie 2 5/16", eye-style, inverted king pin, and 5th wheel-style hitch. If this is the case then the B&W is a great choice. They also make a extension hitch for the guys who have a short bed truck and get into cab clearance issues with a full width (8' nose) trailer. I my mind it's all about flexibility.

You can also remove the B&W when it's new truck time. In one of my privious superduty fords I removed the B&W, fabed up a piece of metal to cover the hole and shot spray in bed liner over the "patch". It looked as good as new and I had the hitch to put in my new truck.

It's your money so do what you wish..............

 

I might get a fifth wheel RV and like the idea of the Companion hitch. I don't much like bars and a permanent gooseneck ball cluttering up my bed.

 

I had mine welded in. Sounds about like the same set up boarbuster had installed. Mine has 5" channel, two 36" two by angle, two 5"x6" plate for the ends, 10" circle plate w/ hole in center for washer, 2 5/16 ball welded to 8" circle plate with two tab angled up, and nut welded to 5" channel. $92 for metal, and installed at our ranch in NM by our welder. Hanen't had one break yet. Plus I can unscrew it if I want to put in a 5er. Couldn't see spending $400 for a ball held in by a small pin. Pulls a 4 horse Sundowner w/ slide out no problem.