I looked at the ford gooseneck kit online and it specifically states for longbed only. My truck came from the factory with the gooseneck/5th wheel package and camper rating. What's up with that?

 

The short bed kit has a slide in it and cost quite a bit more. Its for easy manoeuvring in tight areas. You suck the trailer up closer to the cab when driving.

 

Didn't see that one. I'll have to dig a little deeper. Thanks.

 

Tried to look it up. Can't find anything. Trying to even picture something like that. I have the factory mount, just don't understand why a standard gooseneck ball wouldn't work, or is it meant for fifth wheels only? (Which I wouldn't get either)

 

OK I assumed when you said gooseneck, you meant fifth wheel. I'm not sure why a gooseneck ball wouldn't work unless the rails are just too long to fit underneath.

 

Kinda weird. I'll ask the dealer about it when I can go in. No plans till spring anyway.
Thanks though.

 

The proper location (center of gravity) for both gooseneck hitch or 5th wheel hitch is min. 2" in front of rear axle . Locating it behind the rear axle causes unstable driving (lifts front axle of the truck) , locating right on the rear axle does not distribute enough weight to front axle .

Some short-box owners get by , by using a slider-hitch in combination with an extended king-pin box .

You can do one exercise for yourself . Assume that you have a wide-body trailer which is 8.5 ft wide (5th wheel trailer , travel trailer or horse trailer or work trailer ) . Divide that width in half and swing a stick or tape measure from your "imaginary goose-neck ball location(2" in. in front of rear axle) . See how much clearance you have for a 90-degree jackknifing, if any .

Good luck,

 

My crew cab short bed F250 has a goose neck ball in it and did have a 5th wheel at one time.

Everything I tow is bumper pull so I haven't had to try out the gooseneck ball yet...

 

I'll have to see where the center hole lines up in comparison to the axle. Didn't think of that.

 

I'm not sure that you're being clear enough to have everyone on the same page here.

I'm gathering that you have a shortbed 11 up truck with the factory 5th/ gooseneck prep package, and you want to connect to a gooseneck trailer. Is that the case?

If so buy the ball and chain hooks and go for it. I think that Ford was only offering the prep package with the longbed trucks early on, and what you found may be old info.

That said, with a gooseneck and short bed you do need to keep cab clearance in the back of your head at all times, because you don't have the jackknifing ability you do with a longbed. Depending on the trailer coupler, you may be able to get an offset insert to gain a little bit of clearance.

 

My 2000 F250 shortbed has an aftermarket goose neck setup that was put in by the previous owner. Most goose neck trailers should have good clearance without hitting the cab depending on the style of trailer. I have a family member that pulls a fifth wheel with his 06 shortbed just fine but he does have to watch the tight turns.

 

Ford sells the gooseneck ball and chain mount kit. The kit says long bed only. That is what confused me. Why would they put the factory prep package on. Do they only recommend fifth wheels with the SB?