Diamond Hitch "no drill" gooseneck

[TNT]

I see Diamond Hitch is manufacturing a no drilling, no welding gooseneck hitch for the 2003 frames. Anybody got one? I had decided that I would have to make my own frame mount when I happened upon their web site. http://www.diamondhitchinc.com/

 

[Whitmore]

I have the Diamond hitch and like it alot, it is built very tough and I think the hitch will be very safe, I do want to add that it also uses a few boltholes in the frame that are allready in place



cheers, Kevin

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

B&W already makes a hitch like that, and it has a 30,000# rating compared to the Diamonds 24,000#. That is what I am going with anyway. Also that ball the "twists" into place with locking tabs does't really impress me much.

 

[TNT]

B & W hitch does not have a hitch available yet for the 2003's. I don't like the idea of releasing the ball from out side the bed, and then jumping up into the bed to turn it over. The Diamond is all done from inside the bed.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Yes they do have one for 2003, they were one of the first to have something to fit the 2003. The part # is 1303 and is listed on the web site. I here what you are saying about having to pull the handle, but I much better like the idea of having a solid pin slide through the ball to hold it in rather then a couple of ears that ride in notches. That could be the reason the B&W is rated for 6,000# more then the Diamond is. You can also get a 5th wheel hitch that slides into the B&W if you should ever need one.

 

[TNT]

I was wrong about B&W

You are correct Mopar_Mudder. I just went to B & W's site and found the 03 part number. Maybe I can get used to hopping in and out of the truck bed. How far foward from the axle CL is your ball set?

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Sorry but I don't have my mounted as of yet, but if you are looking for something to do..... LOL



Talked to another guy that has his mounted and I believe it was 1"-2" in front of axle. Their is a pin that goes in a hole in the frame that basically sets this dimension. The pin acts as extra protection that the hitch would never slide back or forth. Here are picts his hitch, you can see the pin in the first one. One thing I though of was hooking up a PTO cable inplace of the lever you pull, you could run the cable up inside the box so you could pull it and the ball all at once. I will see how it works first.



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[TNT]

Nice pictures

That looks like the sturdiest clamping mount I've seen yet! I like the locating pin also. I'm going to contact B&W, after Christmas, to see if the ball can be place 3-4 inches in front of the axle center line. My trailer gives me a lot of bucking action when it is empty. The rougher the road the worst it is. The last two trucks I've owned I put the ball dead center over the axle. I want to try to move it forward to see if that will help.

 

[TBOB]

goose neck

with all that metal outside the frame WHERE DO YOU MOUNT THE AIR BAGS? TBOB

 

[Jff24Gordn]

Re: goose neck

Originally posted by TBOB

with all that metal outside the frame WHERE DO YOU MOUNT THE AIR BAGS? TBOB

the passanger seat, of course. Or maybe infront of the stove.

lol

 

[fbaurley]

I like the no drill set up, but where do the safety chains loops go. I take it that you have to drill holes in the bed , and they will stick up, or do they mount at the bottom of the ball like a unagoose. (www.unagoose.com)

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

They are loops that sit pretty much flush to the bed, you pull them up to hook the chains to them





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[TBOB]

GORDON24

SOUNDS LIKE VACUUM BETWEEN THE EARS!!!!!!!!

 

[EOwen]

B&W

With all that bracketry outside the frame rails, do you think

there is still room for my wheel well liners I added?

How do you like this hitch?

Does anybody else (unagoose, diamond, etc) offer the 5er companion hitch options as well?

What price did you pay?



Thanks

Eric

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

I am going to put mine in tonight, it was a gift from the family so I don't know what the price was, but it lists for 350 I think on B&W's site. The wheel well liners shouldn't be a problem. Just have to drill a hole for the release rod, might have to make a longer rod if it doesn't come through far enough. If all goes well it will me in tonight.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Well I got it all in, was easy really, about 2 to 2-1/2 hours to do. Biggest problem was convincing yourself to drill that 4" hole in the bed of your new truck based on the dimensions they give you in the instruction, but it was dead on. The ball center ends up about 5-3/4" ahead of the axles which was further then I was expecting, but should make for good weight transfer on the truck, I was happy with it.



Also put on the Mopar rear mud flaps to protect from the rocks flying of the duals. Have to say I was real impressed with the factory flaps, real nice heavy rubber, not that hard plastic junk.

 

[TNT]

Diamond hitch image

I am now leaning towards the Diamond hitch. After I received more info and pictures I think it is the better choice for my purposes. Here is a link to the pictures that helped persuade me: http://www.diamondhitchinc.com/announcement.htm

They have also crash tested these hitches. A customer with a 2003 Dodge had his trailer hit from the front as it was being towed. The trailer was totaled, but the hitch, barely deflected. :--)

I don't feel the ball will ever work its way out unintentionally, and If I'm going to be up in the bed to turn the ball over, I might as well be able to release it from there.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Either one will do fine for you I am sure. It did end up that their is a small noth that you have to cut into the bottom side of the bed to slide the rails in for the B&W. Well it just so happens that this notch is in about the perfect place to take and slip the release handle in when you pull it out and that keeps the pin retracted while you flip the ball around.



I like the higher tow rating because I will be pulling about 18,000-20,000 pounds, better safe then sorry I figure.....