Any Experience with a Popup GN Hitch?

[JFitzgerald]

Shopping for a hitch for the new truck. I've had homemade versions in the past. They were overbuilt and worked fine, but for this truck, I want a manufactured hitch and the convenience of a flat floor when I need it. I found this one and like it because it pops up AND down with the handle in the wheelwell. No getting in the bed to flip the ball. Also it is made in the USA! Anyone have any input before I buy? Thanks, John

 

[RustyJC]

Will you strictly be pulling gooseneck trailers, or is there a chance you'll need to pull a 5th wheel?



Rusty

 

[JFitzgerald]

I don't foresee the need for a 5th wheel hitch, so gooseneck only. I have a 30 ft. flatbed, and may switch to a similar length enclosed type for the living quarters.

 

[RustyJC]

That leaves the field pretty well wide open. I would pick the off-the-shelf gooseneck hitch that suits you best.



Rusty

 

[SRadke]

I'm usin the turnover ball by diamond hitch. It works well and I'm happy but like you said, you have to get in the bed to roll it over. Benifit is that it leaves your wheel well open and does not get in the way of airbags and such things. Food for thought: I've rolled it over twice in the last year.



-Scott

 

[Fireman]

My brother has a Pop Up hitch, it came with a little cover that goes over the opening when the hitch is down. Failure to use the cover will let dirt and crap get in around the ball, then it won't "pop up" any more. So you can either climb up into the truck to turn the ball over or you can climb up into the truck to put the little cover on, the choice is yours. My brother wishes he had the "turn-over" type now.



FWIW

Fireman

 

[LaxCummins]

B&W Turnover seemed to be the reference standard when I was in a similar search...



Got it, installed in about an hour and a half. Well made product.



LAXCummins

 

[DLysne]

My dad put a pop up version in his truck and it is a pain in the butt. It never comes up and we end up crawling under the truck to give it a little push. It doesn't take much crap in there to not make it work. I don't remember which brand it was, but will find out.



I myself have the Draw-Tite remov-a-ball hitch and it seems to work okay. http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/goose_fold/remove_gooseneck_hitch.htm

 

[pwerwagn]

B&W turnover all the way. great hitch.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I have the B&W. Great customer service from the factory too! They replaced a 5th wheel companion hitch that was peeling the powder coat.

 

[Eric_77]

Just a bit of info I have a retractacle fifth wheel hitch (it is what as known as an inverted fifth wheel, IE the king pin is in the truck and the 5th wheel is mounted on the trailer) we have this on three of our trucks. The hitch will rust and can be difficult to lift up (a 3/8" bolt/T-handle threads into top)and requires regular grease. The biggest problem is after a load of sand or dirt is in the truck it really becomes hard to raise and lower.



Second issue when loading at or slightly over(nobody ever does that ) the hitch is real clost to differential and I always leave space above the hitch to allow it to pop up (or pull it up before loading, ie sand) if needed when it hits a bump.

 

[KYLE4]

I advertise on this site I might be able to get you a real good deal on a valley industries if interested check it out

 

[JFitzgerald]

OK, you guys have made some good points about the pop-up design. Thanks for the help. You've convinced me to go with a B&W Turnover. I was shopping online and found T and R Trailer. They have them for $299 plus about $50 shipping. Anyone dealt with them?

 

[JFitzgerald]

Well, it arrived the other day from T&R. Looks very nice. I'll let you know how the installation goes... .

 

[MChalkley]

Will you strictly be pulling gooseneck trailers, or is there a chance you'll need to pull a 5th wheel?



Rusty

I'm also in need of info on hitches for my '05 3500 SRW. I've ordered a Torklift Superhitch (17,000 WD capacity), and would also like to get a hitch that will handle both 5th wheel and gooseneck trailers. What's the best option, in that case?

 

[JFitzgerald]

I got the hitch installed yesterday. The quality, fit, and design is impressive. If only all aftermarket parts bolted in this easily! I had zero problems. The only minor thing I'd add to the instructions is that it helps to drop the spare tire out of the way to get the rear crossmember in, and nothing is mentioned about access to the operating handle through the big plastic inner fenders on the 4WD. My fix was to use the 4" hole saw used for the hole in the bed to allow access to the handle, and still look decent. Next is installing the Rip's 4" system.

 

[tractorseller]

Mark,



I'm not sure if the hitch you ordered is a GN hitch, but if it is you can get an adaptor that bolts on to the kingpin on your 5th wheel that will allow you to pull it with your GN hitch. Pop-Up Industries makes one called the RV1. I've been using it for a year now with no problems. I think B&W makes one too. I bought my 5th wheel/GN adaptor from Blue Grass Trailer Sales in Kentucky. They UPS'ed it for $40 and their prices are unbeatable (I couldn't find it cheaper anywhere else). My GN hitches are Pop Up and B&W. No problems with either one of them and they are both rated at 30,000 pounds (both are flip over balls so you do have to crawl in the bed to flip them over, but I wouldn't touch one of those pop up balls - I had one and they are a nightmare to keep clean, lubed, and functional).



Good luck with your hitch setup... ... ... . Bud



Their contact info is:

Lebanon Junction

Distributor

Blue Grass Trailer Sales, Inc.

8860 S. Preston Highway

877-833-3434

 

[JFitzgerald]

I only have gooseneck and bumper trailers, so I don't need a 5th wheel. Haven't pulled the GN except for around the block (country block) to try the hitch out. Glad I checked here before spending money on a pop-up.