Putting in a goose-neck hitch anyone done it?

JohnDeereJimOhio · Dec 16, 2013

I just got a new truck and the price to install a
hitch locally is close to $600.00. This was for a
flip style hitch. I however would like to install
a solid hitch that doesn't flip drop or anything.
However local dealers tole me they wont install
that they aren't common any more. However I had
one installed 2 years ago in another truck. Anyone
have any experience putting them in yourself? How
hard of a job is it? There is a B&W on ebay for
$340 and it says it bolts in place no drilling
required. What do you guys think?

robgIN · Dec 16, 2013

I put one of the BW ones on my truck that has the turn over ball so it doesn't stick up when you don't need it. Couple hours, you do have to drill holes in the bed for the ball and the safety chain u bolts, but none in the frame. It is a lot easier using a hoist than doing it on the floor but as long as you are doing it inside won't be too bad, heat would be nice though.

ss55 · Dec 16, 2013

The non-flip ball might hurt your resale value by several $100 if most similar trucks with a goose-neck hitch have that feature. The dealer will probably have to special order the solid mount at the same or higher cost than a flip mount. I'd go with the flip ball and let the dealer install it. - My 2cents worth.

Welding man · Dec 16, 2013

I am a B and W Dealer. You don't say what kind of truck you have but B and W hitchs are not universal fit and you must buy the one for your truck. Unless the hitch you are talking about is used,I don't see how they could sell it for that,because that is below my cost. The reason no one will install the old type hitch any more is because the truck manufacturers has sent out and edict not to do any welding on the new vehicles that have computers. It will void the warrenty. My 2 cents is pay the $600.00.

S2710 · Dec 16, 2013

I put a b-W hitch in my pickup with the help of a friend. It only took a couple of hours. loosen up the box and raise it up a couple of inches so you can slide the hitch in. I think it took longer to loosen the box up and drill the big hole in the bed then it did to install the hitch.

Bob

Determined · Dec 16, 2013

Another option you may like is the Reese hitches.
I have run them in my trucks for years.
Once the rails are installed you can remove or switch the hitch to the fifth wheel hitch for the holiday trailer in a couple of minutes.
When you sell the truck you keep your hitches and get a new set of rails installed on the new one.
Straight forward bolt on but you do have to drill some holes.

rustyfarmall · Dec 16, 2013

(quoted from post at 11:24:35 12/16/13) I am a B and W Dealer. You don't say what kind of truck you have but B and W hitchs are not universal fit and you must buy the one for your truck. Unless the hitch you are talking about is used,I don't see how they could sell it for that,because that is below my cost. The reason no one will install the old type hitch any more is because the truck manufacturers has sent out and edict not to do any welding on the new vehicles that have computers. It will void the warrenty. My 2 cents is pay the $600.00.

Exactly. I installed a B&W hitch on my 2001 Chevy. I was going to have the dealer install it, but circumstances beyond his control would not allow him to do it on schedule, so I elected to do it myself. That particular model DID require drilling one new hole on each frame rail. Drilling those holes was the toughest part of the whole job. It also made cringe just a bit when I cut that hole in the floor of a basically brand new truck.

Mike M · Dec 16, 2013

So what truck did you get ?

Where"s your old truck at so all of us who told you to keep it can go and get it ! LOL

I put a B&W in my old 1996 Ram 2500 and it bolted right in no problem. Only thing I had to remove was the spare tire to get more room to work then put it right back in.
Nothing better then being able to keep the inside of the bed flat and not tripping over a ball.

thurlow · Dec 16, 2013

Have installed several......since the dealer installed our first one in my new 1970 3/4 ton Dodge. Given my age, I'd probably let the dealer do it, but wouldn't hesitate to do it again, if I were a little younger..........

JohnDeereJimOhio · Dec 16, 2013

Someone in Columbus bought and paid cash for it. I bought a 2008 f350 crew cab short bed straight wheel with a v10 and I love it. Getting around same millage, feels like same power haven"t hooked it up to trailer yet though. I"m thinking about buying the B&w online and doing it myself..

State of Jefferson · Dec 16, 2013

I've put in several home-made hitches. I use a piece of 3/4inch flat bar about 8inches wide and about 6 inches longer thant the width of your frame rails. Drill and bolt a couple pieces of HEAVY 3x3 angle on the outside of the frame, and bolt the heavy plate to that. Cut a hole in the center of the plate large enough to accomodate the shank of the ball. Weld the nut to the bottom of the plate.

Cheaper than a B&W and you can use a pipe wrench to remove the ball when needed.

Aaaaaalllllll that being said, I'd spend the money and buy a B&W nex time.

Ben

mb58 · Dec 16, 2013

Had a flip hitch put in my new 2013 GMC 1/2 ton. Guy that installed it is a close friend of mine. He runs a very respected machine shop. Took him all day. He said, "Tell everyone that was my first and last flip-hitch to install." He said the directions were no where near close. Luckily he was good enough at his job that he drilled the hole through the bed in the right place the first time!

Anonymous-0 · Dec 16, 2013

I put a B&W turnover hitch in our pickup many years ago. It was a pretty easy project for me, but we do all of our own mechanical work. Suppose it depends on how "mechanical" you are. That being said, I remember the day I put it in very vividly. Brother had just gotten some new jack stands. I think that is the correct term for them. We always had just used good heavy wood blocks, cut up railroad ties, tops off of the posts when we would build a pole barn, those kind of blocks. Anyway, brother was pretty proud of the jack stands, so he kinda insisted that I use them. Took the wheel off, and put the stand under the axle and took the jack out. Seemed pretty solid. Got under the pickup and started doing what needed to be done. Head directly under the axle. Had to move a little to do something and probably within a second or two, the adjustable jack stand drop to the shortest setting. If I would have still been under the axle, it would have undoubtably killed me. Never have used those jack stands since. Have a MUCH better set now, with a safety pin in them.

Mike M · Dec 16, 2013

I never had a diesel other then a Chevy 6.2 and that was a disaster !!!!
Hard to believe all the HIGH fuel mileage stories going around.
I have an old Ford 1981 F350 dually with a dump bed and put a 460 V8 in it and never lacked for power. Only have a 4sp would be nice to have a gear between 3rd and 4th.

redtom · Dec 16, 2013

I put a B & W in a: 83 k-20, 86 k-20, 96 k-2500, 04 f-350, and a 06 ram 3500. I wouldn't have anything else! Just bore a 3"? hole in box

smallercrawler · Dec 16, 2013

B&W is truck specific! Get the right one and FOLLOW their instructions. Installed one on '04 Dodge dually about 5 years ago by myself in about 1.5/2.0 hours. Got a great deal as dealer had it on shelf for a while. Used come-along through 4" (hole sawed) bed hole to support it while installing frame brackets and bolts. No lifting bed, drilling/welding other than cutting bed hole and 4 safety chain bracket holes (1/2" ?) on this one. Save bed hole slug for possible reuse if hitch uninstalled. Good luck!
Mine has never been used!!
Untitled URL Link

Ken Christopherson · Dec 16, 2013

After working for the largest truck accessory outfit in the midwest for 5 years, I have put in my fair share of goosenecks, fifth wheels, etc. B&W makes a great hitch, although I have only installed one. (We didn't sell that manufacturer). Most of my experience is with a company named Curt Manufacturing. The product is made in Wisconsin, and is a very good product. I would have to believe that most of them are pretty comparable in quality. I would recommend getting the vehicle specific kit, as thy typically fit MUCH better than a universal kit, and are quite a bit easier to install. Plan on a few hours of work, if you are taking your time (which I would recommend). Better off going slow and doing it right than to rush it and have 15,000 lbs. behind you and have a malfunction. Good luck, and if you are interested in looking at Curt Manufacturing's various gooseneck models, their website is below:
Curt Manufacturing Hitches

Tom in Mo. · Dec 16, 2013

I just priced a B & W hitch for a Dodge 3500 near me (East Central MO) from a local welding/trailer shop for $399. plus tax and $110. to install. Both of these prices are very reasonable in my book.

RLB88 · Dec 16, 2013

Go with the B&W hitch. I have installed several of them and usually only have to drill maybe 2 holes besides for the bed hole, most of the time don't even have to drill any. I have had the flip up style and had trouble with it sticking in the down position, could not get enough grease in it!

moresmoke · Dec 16, 2013

I have basically the same truck, you won't be disappointed towing. I haul whatever I want with no problems. Get 8 to 9 loaded heavy. Took in a load of scrap this summer, over 27000 gross, no problems at all. I use a drop n lock hitch installed it myself with no problems other than getting clearance for the exhaust.

Jerry/MT · Dec 16, 2013

I put a B&W turnoverball hitch in my "99 F350 about 14 years ago and there is no drilling for the attaching bolts. The unit"s mainframe is designed to use holes in the truck frame. However, you need to drill holes in the bed floor for the safety chain attachments and cut a hole for the removable hitch ball.It"s not rocket science and you end up with a bed that doesn"t have a ball sticking up in it full time that you trip over or keeps you utilizing the bed.

Frank 41 · Dec 16, 2013

I put a B&W on my 2011 F250 crew 4X4 plus Firestone air bags and Air Lift compressor kit.

MH49 · Dec 17, 2013

I don't know where you are in Ohio but there is an Amish guy in Holmes County (Gingerich trailer sales) that is about as cheap as anybody on B&W hitches. I have had all types of them in all types of trucks and like the B&W the best. As others have said, they can be installed in little time, hardest part is sucking it up and drilling a 4" hole in your new bed. If you are bent on having one above the bed, Draw Tite has one that uses the RV rails that mount on top of the bed and then they make a ball type plate that pins into the rails. This saves you from drilling a large hole in the bed and the rails don't stick up too far so you can still use the bed.

Putting in a goose-neck hitch anyone done it?

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