installatin of B & W gooseneck

[VStahl]

I bought my B & W today and will be here in a few days. Any tips or pointers on the install? Anything I need to look at for or that will make the install easier?

 

[WMoroni]

Buy a quality hole saw, 4" I think. Measure carefully, mark it and measure again. Getting the hole in the bed in right spot is the most important step. Real easy install. takes about an hour.

 

[DPKetchum]

Do what I did. I paid a installer $100 bucks that had done many. Waited on it. Took all of 2 hours tops.

 

[JLovas]

I've installed my B&W and the last two pickup's that I've had. Its no big deal to put it in. WMoroni is right, you need to have the correct size hole saw, (I think its a 4" too, but your directions will say), and measure that hole about 3 times to make sure its in the right spot. If you have access to a pressure washer, I'd wash the heck out of the underside of your box too. If you don't your going to get a lot of it back in your face when your under there doing the install.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Do it yourself. You do need a 4" hole saw. After I measured a dozen times or so and with nervous sweat dripping off my face, I cut the hole in my BRAND NEW bed. That was the hardest part, but it fit perfectly. Actually it was the easiest hitch install I ever did since it's all bolt in with no drilling. There is enough adjustment in the hitch that if your hole is slightly off you will still be able to center it in the hole.

 

[DPKetchum]

Pay a $100 bucks and have a cool drink while its being installed! Air tools make a cramped under the truck job go smoother.

 

[Subby]

Ditto to all above. I've installed two now and agree that the most important part is the hole in the bed. Like stated above, measure enough times that you feel good about the location and take your time drilling. Go nice and slow with the hole saw so it doesn't catch and mess up the hole. Great design IMO.

 

[GWBourne]

Do what I did. I paid a installer $100 bucks that had done many. Waited on it. Took all of 2 hours tops.

i am a VERY skilled mech... and i wouldnt touch it for inssurance reasons. if something happens it does not come back on me...



grant

 

[DaveK98]

I installed mine as well. Wasn't too bad. Also used a 4 inch hole saw, fit like a glove.



I don't think a "professional" would have done the job as well as I did. I took my time installing everything and torqued every bolt to the recommend amount. I could just see redneck joe with his impact just going at it on my 30k truck.



Do it yourself and know the job was done right.

 

[klenger]

A "Professional" is someone who makes the most money he can by doing a flat rate job as quickly as he can w/o the costomer knowing what his workmanship is like.

 

[DaveK98]

Yup,



My dad had a "professional" put in some new windows at his house less one that was on backorder. We put that window in ourself and it was perfectly even and level. Their windows had a one inch gap on one side and no room on the other... ... .



Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to rebuild my engine but something like a hitch with good instructions... . Just know your own skill level.....

 

[DPKetchum]

What ever. I just know for a hundred bucks I wasn't going to do it!

 

[Winston Wolf]

I'm in the DIY camp

Sure, there are good, concientious mechanics out there. And a lot of boneheads that I wouldn't want near my truck.



Also, I like to know exactly how it fit up, that I took my time and did it right, etc. The increased liability of towing comes back to me, the truck owner/driver.



I got a Lennox 4" hole saw at Lowes. Nice. Chucked it in a Milwaukee Super Hole Hawg drill. Went through that bed like butter in about 1. 5 seconds.



And if your going to do a spray in liner, get that done after the install. My Lin-X very nicely filled the gap (with exposed metal edge) between the bed sheetmetal and the B&W.



B&W's instructions are good. I think I measured about 5 times to make sure I had it right before drilling.

 

[DPKetchum]

The installer I used knew it all to a t. Did my hitch,plug,tow box in under two hours and a $100 bucks. My neighbor used another hitch inastaller on his and same deal but it was $85. 00. I just ran into my neigbor and told him about this thread. He laughed and said it wasn't worth his time to read/measure(many times)and crawl around under the darn thing for the money the pros charge to install one. I feel the same. I've had three installed over the years and never had a guy fumble or act like didn't have a clue yet.

 

[klenger]

DPKetchum: My comments were in no way ment towards you or the tech that did the work for you. If it came accross differently, I appologize. I have heard a number of horror stories of "professionals" that have messed up the installation of a 5th wheel hitch. Once the frame is messed up, it's messed up forever.