Here I am

Gooseneck Hitch

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

Cody Coupler 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter

Espar Heater Install on Shadetree Mechanic

Status
Not open for further replies.
What type of gooseneck hitches are you guys using in your trucks? What do like & dilike about them? Am looking at buying a gooseneck trailer and need to know what opinions you all have with your hitches! Any info would be great. Thanks

Peep

------------------
97 Reg. Cab 4x4 auto, Red/Driftwood/Red, SLT Laramie, Camel, Camper Package, Tow Package, 3. 54. Stock! West Lafayette, Indiana
 
B&W makes a good one that can be turned over to leave the bed flat when not in use. They have a website.

------------------
99 3500 QC 4X4 5sp 3. 54 K&N air filter, DiPricol gauges, 275 hp injectors, Pacbrake, Westin nerfs, GN hitch, Tekonsha Brake controller, Mopar seat covers, Husky mats, silencer ring removed, Draw-tite front receiver
 
Peep,

I am using a "quick hitch" ball set up in my truck (fairly easy install with no drilling required if you order the "no drill plates" which are truck specific to match existing frame holes), and a "cody " brand adaptor on my fiver. So far seems an easy and effective arrangement, but I have done only one about 45 mile test tow with the 11+k fiver. The Quick Hitch ball lifts out and turns upside down for a near flat bed when not in use.
Cost a total of $425 for both parts with the no drill plates. I belive the web sits can be found under both Quick hitch.com and Cody (well actually can't find that info right now)

Vaughn
 
You will not go wrong with a B&W http://www.turnoverball.com

We have been using the for almost 10 years now with no problems in several dozen trucks. They where either the first (or one of) to come up with this design. They have had lots of years and hitches in use to perfect a good product. A direct bolt with no welding or drilling (the frame).

jjw
ND
 
I custom made my own. I have a shaft-type 2 5/16" ball, with the shank/sleeve type setup. The plate is 1" thick x 12" wide and the sleeve is the only thing that shows when you remove the ball. The ball is retained by a clevis pin and clip under the truck. It is much stronger than the 'pop-up' balls. I needed the strength and durability because I pull heavy loads quite often. My design is definately strong and looks good too! I got the basic ideas from a friend and then strengthened it up more.
As another note, I HIGHLY recommend the vacuum/hydraulic brake setup over the regular electric ones. Mine works GREAT and stops well without the use of exhaust brakes or taxing the truck's brakes. Hope this helps!

------------------
1996 White, Extra-cab, 4X4, 5-speed, 4. 10 Model 80 rear, Laramie Pkg, Rickson Truck Accessories 19. 5" wheels with Michelin XZT load range 'G' mud type tires, Full straight-pipe exhaust, Mopar brush guard, K&N air filter, removed turbo silencer ring, 'tweaked' injector pump, well over 100k miles, lots of GOOD, BLACK SMOKE!!, Rollin'-S 25-foot, 10 ton flatbed trailer, with Vacuum/Hydraulic brakes, 16. 5" tandem dual Dexter axles
 
I've got the gooseneck setup from Valley. Looks kinda flimsy, but it's rated for 25,000lbs. So far, I really love it. The neat thing about it, is you can pull the four hitch pins out of the bottom of the ball plate, and pull it out so you don't have that bothersome ball in the way when you're loading hay and stuff. Also, if you ever want to put in a 5th wheel hitch, it will just drop in the same rails that the ball plate mounts on.

------------------
95 2500 SLT Laramie 3. 54, automatic,Herculiner bed liner, JVC cd out of factory infinity system, southwest grill gaurd (a favorite amongst the deer population), K&N, AFC adjusted, dual straight exhaust out of "gutless" cat everything else stock--don't wanna trash the transmission

[This message has been edited by danandme (edited 04-18-2000). ]
 
Merryman: How do you like the Cody gooseneck adapter? I have received some info on the Cody and am concerned about the 3/16 inch plate used to form the neck portion of the adapter. It seems to me that the loads generated on the adapter would require a heavier plate material.

What kind of load are you pulling?

Does anyone know of any other manufactures that make gooseneck adapters for fifth wheel trailers?

I have decided on using the B&W Turn Over Ball brand of receiver. It looks like a good hitch and I like the no drilling bolt on concept.
 
Peep-

Here are a couple of more options:

Bolt in similar to B&W but you do not have to get in the bed to flip the ball.
http://www.popuphitch.com/

Integral safety chain plate that does not require additional holes in the bed. http://www.unagoose.com/
http://www.reesehitch.com/gooseneck_folddown.html

243

------------------
1999 Quad Cab 2500 ST 4X4 SB 24V/5speed 3. 54/LSD Driftwood/Agate
[*]275hp Injectors, Straight Pipe, VDO Boost/Pyro on A-Pillar
[*] 235/85/16 Dunlop Mud Rovers, RS9000's, Hella 500 Driving Lights Husky Liners
[*] Smittybilt Sure-Steps, Magellan 315 GPS mounted on shifter console

-- email address removed --
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks guys for the info!

Too many to choose from! Can't decide, but leaning towards the B&W Turnover hitch! Any pluses or minuses with this system from you guys that have used them???

Thanks,
Peep
 
James;

I tow a fiver that weighs a little over 11K, but with a bunch of other activities going on, I have taken time for only a test drive of about 45 miles, so not much experience. I too felt that the metal looked a bit light, but it is rated (by whom I do not know) at 24K. It is a real easy install. Also the "Quick Hitch" ball is an easy install with "no drill" plates. Both pieces and the no drill plates were $425 delivered here----the same price as just the coupler adaptor from another maker I checked on--can't remember the name right now.

The one hang up is that if you have a long KingPin box (mine is about 32 inches long, you may run into a side rail clearance problem in tight turns. I had to cut about 2 1/2 inches off the rear of my pin box.
BYW, I also (after initial installation, asked for and was promptly shiped a ball with a 1 inch higher lift to add to vertical clearences for the fiver.
Vaughn


[This message has been edited by merryman (edited 04-20-2000). ]
 
I used a DrawTite Gooseneck hitch on my '99 3500 and towed a 31' HR 5th Wheel from Florida to Anchorage AK and back. This hitch is rated at 30,000 and performed like a champ.
After using this for a year and lots of cross country miles I dont understand why anyone would buy a 5th wheel hitch!

------------------
2001 RAM, ETH DEE, 3500 QC Flame Red! Lance 1130 Camper
 
Here is another gooseneck adapter. www.milaminc.com The neck portion is the same as a regular stock trailer gooseneck.

There are two threads on gooseneck hitches, both under the Product Forum. They should be combined.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top