How many use the turning point feature?

Looks like the Curt & the B&W are on the top of the list for use with the turning point since they can both be removed easily. How much harder is it to hook up with the wedge installed? Being a new fifth wheel owner I’m sure there’s a learning curve to all of this but I don’t want to make it worse.

Take a look at this video, it shows you how to install it. Only takes about 10-15 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNk5EwEOrZ0&t=178s
 
I've had limited experience but the few times I've done it, it was very easy to hook up. Our son in law has the same 5th wheel as you and the Curt hitch. I setup his hitch and wedge for him. No problem to hook up as long as you're reasonably straight. I've also towed his trailer with my short bed truck with the pin box locked. No problem at all but you won't be able to turn as sharply as with it rotating. I don't like to make extremely tight turns anyway because it stresses the suspension.
You can't go wrong with either the B&W or Curt.

Bob
 
I have a 295 and pull it with a 1500 GMC. I had to pull it home with a pin locked as the dealer had to order the correct wedge for the B&W hitch. I had no problem even with the short box (<6’) but you need to be careful. You can still make pretty short turns though. After getting the wedge I have used it and it is nice not having to be constantly on guard when turning. Like you I worried about stability issues when towing but have found it to be very good. I take my hitch out every time after a trip. As said above it comes out in two pieces. I also have a truck cap I put on and off at the same time so that takes up more of my time. The unit is not at all hard to hook up. The pin box will turn to align. You can actually push it by hand. The only concern I have is that I would like to see a grease fitting on it! If there is one, I have not found it!
 
Anyone know what pin box comes on the 31MB? I am getting one soon (to be delivered in April), but never looked to see what pin box was on it since I always planned on getting a slider hitch.
 
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Anyone know what pin box comes on the 31MB? I am getting one soon (to be delivered in April), but never looked to see what pin box was on it since I always planned on getting a slider hitch.

It’s the standard Lippert pin box & not the turning point.
 
I have used the Blue Ox slider in both my truck with 6.5' beds. The turning point hitch is locked out. The main advantage of using the slider for me is that the RV is easier to maneuver when backing. By putting the slider in the rear position I am moving the pin farther to the rear, this means the rear of the RV moves faster when I am trying to turn so I can make it go where I want easier. If you leave the slider in the forward position I wouldn't hit the cab until around 80 degrees while backing
 
I have used the Blue Ox slider in both my truck with 6.5' beds. The turning point hitch is locked out. The main advantage of using the slider for me is that the RV is easier to maneuver when backing. By putting the slider in the rear position I am moving the pin farther to the rear, this means the rear of the RV moves faster when I am trying to turn so I can make it go where I want easier. If you leave the slider in the forward position I wouldn't hit the cab until around 80 degrees while backing

The common sense of a rancher never ceases to amaze me, thanks Donald!

I never thought of it that way!
I’m going to go ahead and use my slider next time I have to back in to a spot.


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I have used the Blue Ox slider in both my truck with 6.5' beds. The turning point hitch is locked out. The main advantage of using the slider for me is that the RV is easier to maneuver when backing. By putting the slider in the rear position I am moving the pin farther to the rear, this means the rear of the RV moves faster when I am trying to turn so I can make it go where I want easier. If you leave the slider in the forward position I wouldn't hit the cab until around 80 degrees while backing

Interesting, so you find it’s easier to back up with the slider vs the turning point? Doesn’t the turning point make the pivot at 22” vs the Blue Ox at 11”, yet seems more like a travel trailer?
 
Interesting, so you find it’s easier to back up with the slider vs the turning point? Doesn’t the turning point make the pivot at 22” vs the Blue Ox at 11”, yet seems more like a travel trailer?

Hi, The Turning Point has been locked out on my 220rk since I got it. This is because I use single point fifth wheel hitches and the way I understand it you can't use the Turning Point with them.
I was comparing the Blue Ox slider in the two different positions.
 
Hi, The Turning Point has been locked out on my 220rk since I got it. This is because I use single point fifth wheel hitches and the way I understand it you can't use the Turning Point with them.
I was comparing the Blue Ox slider in the two different positions.

I see, that makes sense now. Thanks.
 
Interesting, so you find it’s easier to back up with the slider vs the turning point? Doesn’t the turning point make the pivot at 22” vs the Blue Ox at 11”, yet seems more like a travel trailer?

Hi Fishwater,

You make a good point that the turning point hitch already has the benefit for backing, of the pivot point being behind the rear axle as described by johndeerefarmer.

A manual slider hitch has other benefits that have been discussed on previous threads. To quote from those discussions . . .

Many say that it is too much work to move the hitch, but I find it easy to throw the single lever and position the trailer pin either directly over the axle for towing or 10” back for maneuvering. This does bring the pinbox wings close to the tailgate in the maneuver position, but I can open the tailgate to remove this potential interference if the ground is uneven.

There are some other benefits to the fixed pinbox and manual slider hitch which I think make maneuvering and hitching/unhitching on uneven ground much easier. I always hitch in the maneuver (aft) position because I can see the hitch out the back window of the truck. This also gives me lots of room to open the front compartment of the trailer while setting up. There is also lots of clearance to open/close the tailgate of the truck at any angle. Auto slider and turning point hitches usually require careful alignment of the truck to the trailer when hitching/unhitching. Manual slider hitches can be hitched/unhitched at any angle.

Rob
 
Just had the dealer order a B&W Companion for my Ford with the puck set up. Picking a hitch was almost as agonizing as picking a camper!
 
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We just purchased a 290BH & a small part of the decision was based on the fact that it has the turning point pin box since we have a 6.75’ bed. During my research for a hitch I decided on the Blue Ox slider since it can be removed easily due to breaking it down into multiple pieces plus it’s supposed to ride great due to the internal springs. Now that I’ve put the deal together at the dealership & had them include the hitch as a part of the deal I finally read the fine print on the part# 7200 version that mounts on the ISR rails, it states that it can’t be used with any pin box that rotates. I saw the warning on the part# 6200 that mounts to a gooseball so I specifically went with the ISR version ASSUMING that it would be ok. To be sure I called Blue Ox & unfortunately it can not be used with the turning point. I neglected to ask them if it’s still safe to use as long as I keep the turning point feature locked out so I will have to call back tomorrow before I assume anything else.

I was pretty excited thinking that I could try to turning point vs using a slider to see which I prefer but now I’m not sure if I can keep the Blue Ox. So at this point I’m thinking I either have to make a decision to go with another hitch or if it’s still possible use the Blue Ox without the turning point feature. How many who purchase a 150 Series are using the turning point? I’m not sure where to go from here so any thoughts are appreciated.

We have a 150 series 290BH, using a standard bed on the 2018 GMC Denali 2500HD TV, and have never used the turning point. The rig is short enough to maneuver into very tight spaces.

We are also using the Anderson Ultimate Hitch (with absolutely no complaints against it, whatsoever!).

I suppose we could use the turning point, but I haven't seen a need, thus far.
 
We have a 150 series 290BH, using a standard bed on the 2018 GMC Denali 2500HD TV, and have never used the turning point. The rig is short enough to maneuver into very tight spaces.

We are also using the Anderson Ultimate Hitch (with absolutely no complaints against it, whatsoever!).

I suppose we could use the turning point, but I haven't seen a need, thus far.

I don't think you can use turning point with Anderson Ultimate Hitch. You have to use a Wedge to lock it.
 
I don't think you can use turning point with Anderson Ultimate Hitch. You have to use a Wedge to lock it.

Yes, that is correct. From what I have read you can not use a wedge with the Anderson or Pullrite super lite because there isn't a place for the wedge to lock out the kingpin rotation. What I have also learned is that you can not use the turning point with the Blue Ox Super Ride (in any configuration, ISR or gooseball) or the Demco Recon gooseball version, the rail mount Recon seems fine for use with a wedge though. Basically what I can gather is that there isn't a gooseball mounted hitch that is acceptable for use with the turning point. B&W does make a wedge for their hitches but those are only to be used in rail or puck mounted applications, again not with a single point (gooseball) attachment.
 
Just had the dealer order a B&W Companion for my Ford with the puck set up. Picking a hitch was almost as agonizing as picking a camper!

You’ll be very happy with the B&W. It’s a great hitch. Easy to operate and removes easily.

Bob
 
Keep in mind fellas, you don’t have to remove the hitch by hand, there is a simple method.

I see a lot of people buying a lighter weight hitch like the AUH solely for the fact that they don’t want to have to move around a big heavy duty one.

I don’t like having to lift anything heavier than my small Honda generator so I just leave my hitch connected to the trailer, if I need a bed storage.

All you have to do is disengage the hitch from its mounts, which for my B&W is just four large cotter pins, then leave it connected to the king pin on the trailer, raise the front jacks up kinda high and pull away. You can even lock it on there with a big padlock.

Here’s an example

72c772e091c1d0ab53424f0055663f17.jpg




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Ummm, hate to be the bearer, and probably too late to this thread...but.....
B&W as of a couple of years ago used to explicitly warn against using any extended wedge type pin box with their hitches. I see no reference on their site anymore, but it would really be worth the call....

I had a Reese Revolution, which is almost a duplicate of the Turning Point. Truck had a 6.5 box. I still have ruts in my yard where I inadvertently did 90's while backing into the drive, so it worked very well!
Wedge adjustment is critical - it has to be firm, but it is possible to be too tight, which makes hitching/unhitching hard to very hard to do.
After unhitching, the pin box may be slightly angled off from the trailer. No problem, usually, as long as you back straight in to the pin box, and not the trailer. BUT, if you drop your tailgate, watch the corners. I learned how to repair the fiberglass skin of my fifth after a slight angle back in. After that, I would back in until almost hitched, then put up the tailgate, and finish the backing.
ALWAYS check when picking up the trailer at the dealer (or anyone else who may move it) and make sure the locking bolts are removed. My dealer forgot, and had me drive away when I was a newbie. Kinda bad if the fifth has no way to pivot at all. Dealer had to send a tow truck, replace the entire pin box, replace the hitch, and pay for a frame shop to inspect the truck.
 
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Ummm, hate to be the bearer, and probably too late to this thread...but.....
B&W as of a couple of years ago used to explicitly warn against using any extended wedge type pin box with their hitches. I see no reference on their site anymore, but it would really be worth the call....

I had a Reese Revolution, which is almost a duplicate of the Turning Point. Truck had a 6.5 box. I still have ruts in my yard where I inadvertently did 90's while backing into the drive, so it worked very well!
Wedge adjustment is critical - it has to be firm, but it is possible to be too tight, which makes hitching/unhitching hard to very hard to do.
After unhitching, the pin box may be slightly angled off from the trailer. No problem, usually, as long as you back straight in to the pin box, and not the trailer. BUT, if you drop your tailgate, watch the corners. I learned how to repair the fiberglass skin of my fifth after a slight angle back in. After that, I would back in until almost hitched, then put up the tailgate, and finish the backing.
ALWAYS check when picking up the trailer at the dealer (or anyone else who may move it) and make sure the locking bolts are removed. My dealer forgot, and had me drive away when I was a newbie. Kinda bad if the fifth has no way to pivot at all. Dealer had to send a tow truck, replace the entire pin box, replace the hitch, and pay for a frame shop to inspect the truck.

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll give them a call just to be safe. What I did see is that they have a warning against using with their gooseball single point set up, there’s a clear descriptive warning against it in the owners manual but nothing in the OEM puck mounts like I plan on using in my Ford. Still worth a call though either way.
 
Yes, that is correct. From what I have read you can not use a wedge with the Anderson or Pullrite super lite because there isn't a place for the wedge to lock out the kingpin rotation. What I have also learned is that you can not use the turning point with the Blue Ox Super Ride (in any configuration, ISR or gooseball) or the Demco Recon gooseball version, the rail mount Recon seems fine for use with a wedge though. Basically what I can gather is that there isn't a gooseball mounted hitch that is acceptable for use with the turning point. B&W does make a wedge for their hitches but those are only to be used in rail or puck mounted applications, again not with a single point (gooseball) attachment.

I have been using the Blue Ox slider (gooseball version) with the kingpin locked out on my 220rk for about a year with no issues or interference. I also used it with the AUH several times with no issues.

What the manufacturers are saying is that you can't use a rotating hitch with the gooseball mounted fiver hitches if the pin is rotating as long as the wedge is in place there isn't a problem
 
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