more goose neck?'s

[DISPATCH]

i have been searching around this forum and not finding exactly what i am looking for. what are my options in gn hitches i don't have a whole lot to spend on it i like the b&w hitch but is a bit pricey what are the more economical hitches that are good. the trailer will be 14k rated. i can install somthing like this my self. i called the local hitch dealer and they want 200 for installation. like i am gunna pay sombody 200 do what i can do. any ways like i asked before what are my "cheaper" options??

 

[McCRam]

If you are looking for economy, you can find a hitch plate. Basically a hitch welded to a steel plate. Big R, tractor supply, or other should have one. B&W is a good hitch. I've had two of them and I think they are worth the price.

 

[y-knot]

I would second the motion on the B&W turn over ball gooseneck hitch, they are among the best hitches available right now. Last time I checked they were going for about 300 bucks, they are available on the web, just search B&W hitch. I do not like the steel plate with the ball welded on, they are always in the way and a poor design for a hitch. What is really scary is many do not go ahead and buy the frame rail connectors that are used to fasten the hitch to the frame. This places all of the load on the trucks bed and is an accident waiting to happen. Go with the B&W, you will be very pleased, and It is not hard to install.

 

[wyosteve]

I'd be scared to find a hitch to pull 14k for less than a B&W. You should be able to pick one up from ebay for around $300 shipping included. Plus the B&W install is easy even for a rookie. I had never done an install and did mine in about 3 hrs. , so you can save the $200 install fee. My . 02

 

[bpenrod]

If you do not have a need for a fiver and just need the gn the UnaGoose is a great hitch. I thik they are at unagoose.com

 

[ndurbin]

I've seen alot of different gooseneck hitch designs. The steel plate w/ the ball welded to it works OK if it's done right (anchored to the bed and frame) but it's not the best design out there. I've personally built acouple and put them on guys trucks and haven't heard any complaints from them. I've also used a pretty stout peices of channel iron with holes cut in them to install the ball. I have this setup in my truck now and I've installed a few also. I haven't seen to many failures or problems with this setup either. I did install a hitch one time that was just a flat peiece of steel with a hole cut to put the ball through. The only problem I had with this setup is the guy needed it in a hurry so I put it in and didnt get it fully braced and he went out to haul bales. Well the guy loading the hay bales used the tractor to shove the bales in tighter and twisted and bent the metal just a bit. It was pretty easy to fix and put the extra braces in. I've also seen alot of different manufacutred hitches (B&W, Unagoose, etc. ) and I've never seen one fail. For the most part their the easiest to install since their already fabbed up and just have to bolt it up.



Nathan

 

[lawdog]

Blue Beast,

I bought my B&W off e-bay for $315 delivered to my door, not bad I thought. I just live about 5 miles from I-696 and I-94 if you want to check it out, we could meet one day.

 

[DISPATCH]

ya i would like to check it out when works for you?? i am in the royal oak area alot right around 696 and 75 (girl freinds house) so a little farther would not hurt any

 

[bmoeller]

I built my own. Used 1" thick steel plate and 4" angle iron. Bought a 30k ball online. Since I have a flatbed on the truck, it is below floor level, with a door over it.



BB- I'm gonna send you a PM.

 

[MChildress]

I have 6 inch channel 1/2 inch thick top and welded a 4x4x1/2 plate inside the channel,then drilled for the ball. This is welded on top of the frame on my 95 Ford PS. I have had no problem with this set-up but having to unscrew the ball to make the bed flat. I have the B&W on my 04 1/2 Dodge 3500 and it sure is nice to just pull the lever and turn the ball over. I bought the B&W for about $300 and they wanted $65 to install. I installed it myself,just fill better knowing its done right and nothing left out or loose.

 

[ARhine]

If you don't use the flip over ones often enough has anyone ever had them get stuck in place? That is the only thing that concerned me a bit.



Suppose you would just need to keep a film of grease in there and check it regularly.



Anybody put one in a 1st gen? Do you have to remove the bed?

 

[randyn]

I haul a camper in my truck sometimes & would like to find a goose hitch that doesn't sitck up above the floor of the truck. The one I looked at (Draw Tight?) had a plate and some eyelets to hook the chain to that I think would damage the bottom of my camper, even w/ my rubber mat cut out for the hitch plate. Anyone solved this problem?



RandyN

 

[bmoeller]

The B&W is all under the bed. You do have some u-bolts for the chains, but they don't really stick up. They drop down without a chian on them.

 

[Paychk]

Unagoose is what you want, when the ball is removed there is nothing but the filler plug in the bed.



http://www.unagoose.com/spec.htm

 

[Farmall Hauler]

If you don't use the flip over ones often enough has anyone ever had them get stuck in place? That is the only thing that concerned me a bit.



Suppose you would just need to keep a film of grease in there and check it regularly.



Anybody put one in a 1st gen? Do you have to remove the bed?

Yes, My brother had one stick in place in his 98. 5 2500. He regrets that he did not do a better job of greasing it and keeping it lubricated.



Mark

 

[wtfd6]

i have a gooseneck ball mounted on a plate that connects to my fifth wheel rails. it is made by reese and cost me $200 at a local truck shop. i have hauled 15k with it no problem. it is rated for 26k. i dont know what fiver rails are rated for though.

 

[ntillm01]

I've got the Renegade Diamond Hitch. It turns over, is all under the bed, but uses a cylindrical attaching method. I like it because there is no reaching in the wheelwell to unlatchit, then crawl back in the bed to flip it. I can do it all in the bed of the truck. Installation is pretty much a bolt together deal, once you get past drilling a four-inch hole in the bed (yikes!). I got it shipped for under $200. It's rated for 36k