Gooseneck hookups

[elamb]

I am wanting to put a removeable gooseneck ball in the bed of my truck, but I am having trouble figuring out what kind to get. The local truck accessory shop has a couple of styles that have the pull handle that comes out in the fender well. Does any one know how well these work and if there safe? Co-op has one that flips up but it has the big 1/2" plate in the bed. I don't particularly like the looks of this one. I would appreciate any info or advice.



Thanks,

Eric

 

[Oxjockey]

Do you have a bedliner? I'd be concerned to see if it did or didn't work with one.



Bryan

 

[elamb]

No I do not have a bed liner. I do have a bed mat that I could simply cut a hole in.



Thanks,

Eric

 

[SLindblom]

When I (actually, my brother the welder did it) put in my gooseneck hitch, we welded an inch thick 8X30 plate to the top of the frame, welded the nut for the gooseneck ball to the bottom of the plate. I drop the ball through the lock washer and then through the bed into the plate and then with a big pipe wrench tighten it onto the nut.



When I am done pulling, I unscrew the ball, and drop the cut out piece of bed mat back in place to cover the hole. A little anti-sieze on the threads of the ball helps.



My brother put the same system in Dad's, only dad pulls often enough that he leaves the ball in place, and it has since rusted itself in place. Dad welded a piece of 3 inch flat iron with a large D ring attached to the front of it, to the ball, so that the safety chains hook up right in front of the ball.

 

[RustyJC]

Eric,



Is THIS the removable gooseneck setup you're talking about? It works fine - I have the gooseneck with the companion RV 5th wheel hitch.



Rusty

 

[easleyj1]

goose neck ball

I have the B&W turn over ball. It is like the one you mentioned, the latch pin handle comes out in the driver's side wheel well. I couldn't be more pleased with this unit. It is easy to operate and is rated at 30,000 lbs. I think.



J. E.

 

[elamb]

I have never seen one of the set ups with the pull handle in the wheel well in person, but I was afraid that if I got my truck in a bind that the wheel might catch on it(maybe thinking too hard ). I appreciate all of the info.



Thanks,

Eric

 

[redramnc]

Rail-type mounting

I have the rail-type mount. It was installed prior to my owning the truck so I don't know the manufacturer but I think it is either Reese or Hidden Hitch. The rails install crosswise the bed between the fender wells and are bolted to the frame through the bed. They stick up a little over an inch so it isn't a true flat floor anymore but I can deal with it.



I have the Hidden Hitch 30K goose pop-in hitch but can easily remove it and mount a 5th wheel platform if needed. I have yet to feel any movement of the hitch even under some pretty nasty conditions.



If I remember correctly, the rails run about $100 (not installed) but the hitch plate and ball were just over $200. I plan on putting a set of rails in my brother's 77 Powerwagon so that we will have two trucks available to tug the trailer around. This way I can also entertain thoughts of a 5er without having to do more than change a hitch.

 

[elamb]

Originally posted by RustyJC

Eric,



Is THIS the removable gooseneck setup you're talking about? It works fine - I have the gooseneck with the companion RV 5th wheel hitch.



Rusty

Yes this is the setup I'm talking about. Have you had any problems with it? Did you install yourself and if so how big a job is it?



Thanks,

Eric

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

eric



i have this same hitch and it works great. it is rated at 30k in the gooseneck mode. this is a very slick hitch. i paid $399 installed.



jim

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by elamb

Yes this is the setup I'm talking about. Have you had any problems with it? Did you install yourself and if so how big a job is it?

Eric,



No problems whatsoever with the gooseneck receiver portion. I installed it myself without any problems. Just be sure you use B&W's measurements before you take the hole saw to the bed! They were spot on!



As far as the installation is concerned, no drilling or welding is required. B&W's stuff uses factory holes in the frame, and everything lines up just fine. Just drop the spare to get some room, crawl under there and get after it!



Rusty

 

[cscott]

I have the Hidden Hitch rail system.



2 rails mounted in the bed that either a goose neck or 5th wheel can be mounted to.



Check out http://www.hiddenhitch.com/Home/



Good luck



Craig

 

[csevers]

I too have the b &w

hitch have had it in many trucks 5 to be precise new bolts each time in 98 truck had to cut side frame plates shorter do to overload spring stops keep that in mind if you have oem over load springs

 

[RustyJC]

Re: I too have the b &w

Originally posted by csevers

In 98 truck had to cut side frame plates shorter do to overload spring stops. Keep that in mind if you have oem overload springs.

Eric,



That's right - I forgot about that. It was a 5 minute job with an electric reciprocating saw with a metal cutting blade, a file to dress the side frame plates up after cutting and a little paint. No big deal... .



Rusty

 

[elamb]

B & W

I just talked to a couple of truck accessory shops here local and got some price quotes.



Cash-N-Carry - $350

Hitch only installed - $475

Turn Key - $595



Turn key is installing hitch, adding brake box, and installing new 6 pin plug inside of bed.



Are these prices reasonable?



Thanks,

Eric

 

[RustyJC]

Eric,



Depends on the brake controller they're adding. Don't settle for anything less than a Jordan Ultima 2020 or a Tekonsha Prodigy.



If it were me, I'd go with a 7-pin RV plug in the bed and use a 7-to-6 adapter if your gooseneck has a 6-pin plug. More and more trailers are standardizing on the 7-pin plug (that's what is standard on most factory towing packages), so you might appreciate the flexibility to use either plug in the future.



Rusty

 

[elamb]

Brake controllers

Where can I research brake controllers? What do you need to look for in a brake controller? I just thought a brake controller was one of those deals where if you have seen one, you've seen them all. Any info would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks,

Eric

 

[RustyJC]

Eric,



Try doing a search on "Jordan" or "Prodigy" and you'll find lots of information right here on this forum. I won't try to recap it all here, but there's nothing more miserable than towing with a cruddy brake controller - been there, done that, got the Jordan so I wouldn't have to do it any more!



Rusty

 

[elamb]

I done the search for brake controllers and there was a ton of stuff on them. I am going to call the truck accessory shop that give the prices and see what kind of brake it would be.



Thanks,

Eric

 

[emarsh]

just installed the b w turnover ball today, the price they quoted for the install is very fair. another note, the other ram diesel website shows a group purchase for the Jordan trailer brake controller on sale for i believe $120 including shipping! the two are both excellent products, as researched on this site by myself before taking the plunge. ED