Got a 2012 3500 with the B&W Turnover Goosneck ball already in it. I'd like to keep that, and I need to install my 5'er rails. Has anyone installed the 5"er rails and kept the B&W? I'm not going fork out the $600+ for the B&W drop in hithch.

 

Googled one more time and found the answer. Someone else may be interested in this too.

Curt X5 Fifth Wheel Adapter for B and W Square Shank Turnoverball Hitches

This will allow me to keep the B&W and get my 5'er hitch installed, and bonus, not have the rails in there all the time and even more bonus, not spend that $600 plus. And installation in a flash.

 

While I do like the design of the curt adapter the price of $349 is getting up there and then you add on the price of a fifth wheel hitch to fit it will be more than the price of just a companion hitch. I do like the B&W companion even though it has some draw backs. 1. lower GVWR capacity. 2 The fact you have to torque down the hitch on the release pin every time you install it into the truck, with the Curt you don't do that or with the B&W goose ball either. If I already had a 5ver hitch that would fit the curt that's what I would have done too.

 

I already have the hitch part in my 04. The weight rating on all of the pieces is way over what I'll ever pull. And I really dont ahave a weekend to give up to do the intsall of any of the under bed mount stuff that would be in other kits, so this was a good choice for me. I like the look of that set of rails, and I like that I can tak it all out and not have the rails in there all the time.

 

I made up a 5ver king pin and attached a short length of chain, by locking the king pin into the hitch I can lift the complete hitch in and out of the truck in one piece, I just have to pull the pin on the B&W. I use a small skid steer with a boom but an engine hoist or over head hoist would also work, this makes life much easier and a one person job in and out. I also made up a dolly with casters to store the hitch and move it around easily in one piece, having the square shank hang down makes it difficult to sit the hitch down on the ground so having the dolly keeps the hitch level.

 

I did the same general thing. Several years ago I had several vertebra fused so I'm really not supposed to be doing what I do. I welded a chain loop to my 5er hitch and I lift it out of the bed with an electric hoist in the ceilingo f my shop, when there's not too much crap in there to back in. I'll probably do the same with this. I converted an old dead dolly like power washer base for a way to store it and roll it around. My hitch is suppose to weigh 80 pounds and the mfg says this rail thing weighs 108.

 

The Curt X5 came in today. Boy what a beast. They didn't skimp at all building this thing. Took 3 of us to set it up in the back. Will definitely need to use my hoist to handle it.