Gooseneck hitch on a used truck a bad sign?

[EBottema]

Still looking at getting the 01. 5 with 63k miles. it was a trade in and the dealer talked to the owner, they traded it in to get sometrhing smaller, said he changed the oil every 5k. Well whatever that is worth. This thing has a 3inch hole in middle of the bed prob was used for a hideaway ball hitch... is that a bad sign, should i stay away since it was towed with. ? it's a 6spd ho and only been in the shop once under warranty. otherwise its lemonless lol

 

[RustyJC]

Ummm..... no flame intended, but people buy these trucks to work. I have a B&W turnoverball gooseneck hitch in my truck. I use it with B&W's companion 5th wheel hitch (which mounts in the gooseneck receiver) to tow our 5th wheel. Our truck (see signature) has 18,000 miles, has had the oil and filter changed (Delo 400/Fleetguard Stratopore) every 3000 miles, has never been to the dealer for anything since we took delivery of the truck (it was a special order), has Royal Purple synthetic 85W-140 in the rear differential, and is garaged whenever it's not in use. You can ask those who know this truck - it doesn't have a mark or scratch on it inside or out, and the interior still has the "new leather interior" smell.



So, because the truck has a gooseneck receiver, what does that really have to do with its condition? In my mind, nothing whatsoever.



JM2CW



Rusty

 

[SRadke]

Don't let it bother you. Especially with a six speed.



-Scott

 

[y-knot]

I feel like the others, these trucks were built to haul and tow heavy loads, so the hitch should not be a big surprise. The majority of people do buy there trucks to work, this has changed so over the last few years though. There are a group of people that only purchased large trucks like this for show, or to impress others. The third gen trucks seemed to spark this trend of yuppies and trendies. If the truck looks to be well kept and all signs point to that, then I would not be to concerned. There are areas thou that should be look at with extra concern. The clutch is a huge wear item along with the rest of the drive train. Also if the truck was a automatic, I would take it in and have it diagnosed.

 

[EBottema]

No its a 6spd. Well the miles i think personally are very low. I doesnt really bother me that it has the hitch i just get all worked up when buying a used vehicle. thats all



I just wish someone could go take a look at it before i fly over there and buy. . and i will pay you. its in pryor ok. .



erik

 

[SRadke]

Where's it at Erik?

 

[kentdiesel]

Erik,

I know its hard to tell about a vehicle in a short test drive, however, a CTD Ram will stand up to pulling a trailer just fine.

I bought mine used with 86,000 mi and it had been used to pull a 35ft fifth wheel. I cringed more at the Fram oil filter on it than the towing it had done. At least it had Rotella in it. I made it home to install a Fleetguard.

Good Luck,

Kent

 

[Forrest Nearing]

if anything, people who work their trucks might tend to actually take care of them better than someone who goes to the store every few days and never gets the engine hot.



both of my CTD's had gooseneck plates in them, and I've been happy w/ them!



Forrest

 

[DDT]

I bought mine a year ago with 100K on it. I pulled a 32' stock trailer ALL of it's miles. Personally I would buy a used cummins that never pulled any thing. Mine ran strong before the mods, now only better

 

[Forrest Nearing]

my '91. 5 was put to work at ~100k... pulling goosenecks for ~98k miles!



I bought it, put 65k on it, sold it back to the guy I bought it from, and he put ANOTHER ~100k on it pulling goosenecks... the stock transmission finally let go around 365k



my current truck was a "zero options" truck, so I've got to assume it was worked pretty hard. it's got a gooseneck plate in it, and it's kicking hard at ~215k.



Forrest

 

[Sticks]

I bought my '02 with 30k on it in Sept of '02. It had one of the "Good 'Ol Boys" farmer GN balls in the bed (under the bed is a 18" wide x 1" thick steel plate running frame rail to rail and welded in place). I know the truck was worked constantly, since the high beams were hitting lower than the low beams should when I turned the lights on. The only problems that I have had with the truck were self inflicted.



If I knew then what I know now about these trucks, I would still bought it.



Check the LP fuel pressure, check for codes, look at the color of the exhaust manifold and turbo. If the turbo is goldish, it has been a little too hot too many times. If the manifold is blue, same thing, and not a good thing.



Look at the suspension. Do the rear springs look saggy, heavy wear on the bump stops? Does the front of the truck sit level side to side? More than 3" from the control arm to the bump stop?



Have all of the fluids tested/analyzed before you buy (engine oil, diffs, transmission, coolant, PS pump... ).



Carfax report?

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by sticks

If the turbo is goldish, it has been a little too hot too many times.

Really? Well, that rules out every Cummins I've ever seen in Texas with over 10,000 miles on it - mine included. By the way, my EGT's are lower than stock:



Stock - 1300 degF @ 21 PSIG boost



EZ w/elbow, BHAF, 4" exhaust - 1100 degF @ 30 PSIG boost



As above, with DD2's - 1225 degF @ 34 PSIG boost



Rusty

 

[dpuckett]

I wouldnt worry about a GN hitch, or the hole in the bed form one. Actually, I see it as money I dont have to spend, and I KNOW it can handle what I plan to throw at it. I'd rather have one that has been worked and proven itself than a cream puff that wasnt broken in properly.

 

[1stgen4evr]

Gooseneck hitch

Well I hope it doesn't hurt them. If it does I am in deep voodoo. I have over 400k on one of mine and we put the hitch in the first week. It has a reciever hitch as well and the truck has long since paid for itself working up and down the road. I expect at least another 200k miles before even looking into the engine. I would have to paste a hundred dollar bill on it to say I had thrown anything away if I did throw it away. Tough trucks.



1stgen4evr

James