gooseneck hitch

PJBROWN VT · Jun 26, 2008

I have a 1997 Dodge that I need to pull a goose neck trailer. What do I have to do to put a hitch in the truck? What's the cheapest and easest way?? Will the bed have to come off?? Any help would be great.

gpuller · Jun 26, 2008

I would recommend a B&W Turnover Ball hitch. Only have to cut a 4" diameter hole in the truck bed. Should be able to get one for around $300. Hitch can be installed with the box mounted.

Nancy Howell · Jun 26, 2008

Agree with gpuller. We have a 95 and g/n hitch cost $450, but we're in the big city where everything costs much more. It takes about half a day to get it installed. If you don't have an electric brake control box, you will need to get one. Wherever you have your hitch installed should carry the brake control boxes and can install at the same time. They will be able to do all the wiring, too.

PJBROWN VT · Jun 26, 2008

Thanks I will look into one.

showcrop · Jun 26, 2008

I got a Flip-over brand hitch 2-3 years ago. it went in in about 2 hours, has worked well. I found it listed on ebay. it was sold by some horse trailer place. I would do a little looking around because a lot of times you can buy from a high volume dealer for substantially less than a manufacturer will sell a single unit for.

PJBROWN VT · Jun 26, 2008

Thanks.... I have a brake box already in the truck. I pull a 16' bumper tow stock trailer now , but I have to pull a goose neck.

PJBROWN VT · Jun 26, 2008

I will take a look on ebay for a hitch. Thanks!

kyhayman · Jun 26, 2008

Local welding shop did mine. He pulls the bed, uses a pc of 10 inch C channel with the C down and a pc of 8 inch C channel with the C facing up, connects with a pc of pipe the diameter of the ball and welds to the frame rails. Ball is a 30,000 pound g.n. ball. To remove the ball, there is a pin in the bottom of the shank of the ball to take out and the ball lifts out. So farm I've been happy, its pulled close to its rated capacity, and tows at least 2-3 times a week since installed in 2000. They charged 175.00 labor and materials. Truck (Dodge 2500, was prewired for brakes so all I had to do was add a box).

Nebraska Cowman · Jun 26, 2008

The cheapest way is to weld a junk ball in the middle of a piece of half inch plate about 3 ft square and bolt it down through the frame. I have one like that in Whitey since he was new. With a rubber mat over it nobody knows but me.... And now you.

RobMD · Jun 26, 2008

i have a reese flipper. all the brackets flip down. my biggest complaint is that the salt freezes up the non greaseable chain flippers.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 26, 2008

You can get removable ones as well. The same like a fifth wheel holiday trailer. There are 2 rails bolted in the box and the rest of the unit is removable. I guess it depends on how much weight you want to pull and if the height of the hitch is adjustable for different ball heights. A hitch shop would be able to show you some different options. Dave

Mike M · Jun 26, 2008

I second the B & W hitch I have an older one that only needed a 2 1/2" sq. cut out. It's in my 1996 Ram 2500 easy to install from underneath. No drilling as you use hole allready in the frame. I got regular truck frame bolts as the ones that came with the hitch at that time were just plain old gr 5 Mine you pull a lever under neath and can flip over or remove the ball. That's what you want then it frees up your bed and makes it flat for hauling. I had other type and will not go back worth the extra money to do it right.

Old Ford Mechanic · Jun 26, 2008

B&W turnover hitch.The hitch ball flips upside down and mounts flush beneath the bed floor when not in use.East to install the complete assembly is about 3 Ben Franklins.

gooseneck hitch

PJBROWN VT

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gpuller

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Nancy Howell

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PJBROWN VT

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showcrop

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PJBROWN VT

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PJBROWN VT

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kyhayman

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Nebraska Cowman

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RobMD

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Anonymous-0

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Mike M

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Old Ford Mechanic

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