Gooseneck hitch.... Confused

[Odp]

Hey guys. How many of you have but an aftermarket gooseneck in ? My 2015 2500 short bed 4x4 crewcab needs a gooseneck. Ive Googled and called some places. Google left me confused. Some people said they already had a plate installed to the frame from the factory. Some people said they used a b&w kit. When they said factory plate they are not talking about the factory installed option with the 4 pockets ready to go like ive seen. This guys truck had a plate with a hole that looked just right for a ball but had no provision for safety chains ect. Im not sure if thats what its there for or not. My truck also has the plate but it looks more of a cross member to me. The kits i see online all look different and seem out of this world expensive. 450 bucks for a gooseneck is alot. Is that my only option ? Im used to just sliding a piece of channel iron across. Welding on end plates and bolting it to the frame. The kits all have fold over or flip over balls. I dont even have a tail gate sure dont need all that jazz but it seems like from my research thats all thats out there......thanks in advance.

 

[TFucili]

The factory puck system is handy, but B&W is hard to beat, as goosenecks go, plus they are made in Kansas, not China.

 

[gsbrockman]

I ran a B&W in my 2013 3500 DRW and 2014 3500 DRW. They are a stellar unit and you will be pleased with the hitch.

I actually run a B&W turnoverball in my 2018 4500 Cab & Chassis with the CM SK flatbed.

 

[TMyers]

I have the B&W Turnover setup as well. I have it in my 2013 6'-4" bed. The only thing that I dislike about it was that Ram has a "Pre-Molded" flat area in the bed for their factory setup. The B&W setup misses this area by 3 inches forward. There was no way to slide it back during the install because it uses existing mounting holes in the frame. It works great but if you're OCD about it not being centered in the factory area, go a different route. I use the B&W Companion Slider with it so it stays covered. With this setup, I can haul goosenecks, 5th wheel and have a flat bed within a couple minutes.

 

[BarryG]

Another b&w here. Had one in my 01 and put another one in my 17 won't use anything else at this point. Both have been rock solid.

 

[Odp]

So the b&w hitch slides in and bolts to that factory cross member area ? Tried finding a YouTube video to see whats required.

 

[TMyers]

So the b&w hitch slides in and bolts to that factory cross member area ? Tried finding a YouTube video to see whats required.

The B&W Turnover hitch bolts to both sides of the truck's frame just above the rear axle. I installed mine in my driveway in about an hour. The worst part is drilling a 4" hole in your bed.

 

[gsbrockman]

The B&W Turnover hitch bolts to both sides of the truck's frame just above the rear axle. I installed mine in my driveway in about an hour. The worst part is drilling a 4" hole in your bed.

What truck do you have?

 

[Ozymandias]

Check this out > https://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/towing-hauling/2187562-oem-gooseneck-prep.html?amp=1

 

[JR]

I like the square design of the B&W shank compared to others, but their coating is something to be desired. The paint peeled off the base the first winter on mine and it's well on its way to rusting in peace. Same with my cousins who bought one within a few months of me and a co worker. In hind sight I wish I would have taken it into work and had it sandblasted and painted it.

 

[TMyers]

What truck do you have?

2013 2500

 

[DonFitzwater]

 

[gsbrockman]

2013 2500

That explains why........yours is the old style.

The 2013 & up 3500’s and 2014 & up 2500’s utilize the very simple center section only.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I strongly recommend the b&W hitch. It will bolt up to your crossmember.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

BTW the B&W part number is, I believe, different from what my truck takes, but the correct number will fit fine.

 

[JasonMcNabb]

Has no one heard of Mumby Hitches??? Up here they are way cheaper cost than B&W. I have used them on four different trucks over the last 20 years hauling up to 20k trailers both machinery and livestock. Stout and stand up to salty roads.

It was super simple to mount the last one on my 2018 Ram 3500, just six bolts from underneath.

I think their website shows the Ram hitch at $650.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Much better to have a truck with pucks and gooseneck installed at the factory.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Much better to have a truck with pucks and gooseneck installed at the factory.

That is.....if you would rather have five big holes in the bed...... instead of just one.........

Sam

 

[jhenderson]

I’ve never had the holes cause me any trouble. Have you?

 

[Cummins12V98]

That is.....if you would rather have five big holes in the bed...... instead of just one.........

Sam

personslly I would say one big and four small.