What goose neck hitches do you all recommend? I am running a 85 f250 6.9 diesel, and would like to get a goose neck trailer, and obviously will need a hitch. Id like to get one that the ball comes out of. What type of prices would I expect to be paying? Where would I go to look at them also?
B&W Turnover ball hitch and vehicle specific mounting brackets for $350 shipped to my door from Ebay. Only took about 2 hrs to install by my self. Hardest part is working up the courage to drill that 4" hole in the bed, everything else just bolts into existing holes. the cross rails need a little persausion with a hammer to get them into place but other than that follow the direction and its a piece of cake. I love not having the ball sticking up when i dont need it. Also remove the ball when not towing they can rust in if not greased up and are a pain to beat free.
I watched them install the turnover ball hitch on the show Truck U on the speed channel. Didn't seem like it was a hard install, But didn't know how much money would get me one.
I tow trailers almost every mile I drive and from 500 to 18000 lbs and would make this suggestion to you, it's worth the listen I guarantee you! Goosenecks are mainly designed for commercial work trailers and many livestock trailers as well. The fifth wheel is the industry standard for most of the non-commmercial trailers. I pull both and here is how I do it. I for one would never again buy a hiding ball.......EVER! I have had three in my business and all are gone. I put rails in the bed that accepts a 5th wheel mount that is removable and then a gooseneck plate can be installed on the same rails also removable. Much more versitile and useful. I found that the gooseneck was limited to just that and many times it would not move due to ice/mud/and rust which became a nightmare. So now I have a system that can pull all of them and still be removed for bed loads. And yes I know you can adapt goosenecks to trailers that are 5th wheel but it is VERY expensive and time consuming. My systems cost about $550 installed with both plates and electrical plug (7 prong) installed. You won't regret it, trust me!
I tow trailers almost every mile I drive and from 500 to 18000 lbs and would make this suggestion to you, it's worth the listen I guarantee you! Goosenecks are mainly designed for commercial work trailers and many livestock trailers as well. The fifth wheel is the industry standard for most of the non-commmercial trailers.
Them majority of trailers I see are gooseneck...The only thing I've seen 5th wheels on is car haulers and campers...
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I found that the gooseneck was limited to just that and many times it would not move due to ice/mud/and rust which became a nightmare.
They usually don't get stuck if you are using them...Only when they have been sitting for a while...
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So now I have a system that can pull all of them and still be removed for bed loads. And yes I know you can adapt goosenecks to trailers that are 5th wheel but it is VERY expensive and time consuming. My systems cost about $550 installed with both plates and electrical plug (7 prong) installed. You won't regret it, trust me!
B&M has the same system, just the 5th wheel hitch fits into the hole for the ball.
And By "your system" do you mean the system you use, or system you sell...What's the name of it, can you give a link?
No it is not my system. I use Reece. Goosenecks are plentiful I agree, I own about 7 of them. I just got very tired of attempting to unstick balls from the hidden position in mud and snow so I went with the best system. It's the same reason reefers are 5th wheel........it works the best. Not one single long haul is anything but 5th wheel. It is your choice what to buy I just gave you my opinion of 40 years of pulling as a business.
YES they do continuously stick, over and over and over again. Every one I have installed stuck on many occasions especially in the winter. Any time you include a mechanical item into the solution it is to follow, it will break.
I say again goosenecks are commercial use or livestock. You just said the same thing. Anyway dosen't matter to me what you buy, you just asked for an opinion....I gave you mine......that's all!
Best in your situation... best in mine is a hidden ball I use a B&W. Yes, it does get stuck from time to time but I've never had any issue getting it loose other than a few minutes getting dirty. If I'm towing often I just leave it up. I don't have any rails in the way, and I don't have to lift out the heavy plate when I'm not using it. Keep it greased and it'll be just fine. 20% of my truck's milage is pulling, and in my situation the hidden ball is just fine, in any season.
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Nathan
2002 F150 SuperCab Short Bed FX4 5.4L V8 Firestone Load Level Air Suspension - totalled by Spradley Barr Ford
2007 Featherlite 8413 20x7x7' Stock Trailer - now sans-truck!
I'll never have to unstick my ball from the hidden position. I keep it in a nice box in the cab. The B&W is a nice system. You mention rails in the bed? What a hassel. I have a bed liner and a rubber mat that hides the hole. It takes less than a minute to go from a ball hitch protruding from the bed to regular usable bed. And if you need the 5th wheel get the companion adapter. It looks to be a few minute install. How long would it take to play with rails, if you needed to use the full pickup bed? Yeah your rails are fine it the truck is dedicated to only towing. Some of us need the use of the bed. I could haul sand if need be, with the hitch I have.
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1996 F-250, XLT 460 E4OD, Long box, Supercab 4X4, 4.10 Axle Ratio, Camper and tow package.
Self install of: Clifford alarm, B&W Flipover gooseneck hitch, Ride Rite airbags, and compressor system, Prodigy Brake controller.
Never tried to argue. The drop balls are great if that's what you need. As far as the rail go in my trucks, we cut the beds and the rails are under the base with a cover. I for one just have had too many problems with drop balls but they were many years ago and I am sure imrovements have been made.
I use a B&W. Yes, it does get stuck from time to time but I've never had any issue getting it loose other than a few minutes getting dirty. If I'm towing often I just leave it up. I don't have any rails in the way, and I don't have to lift out the heavy plate when I'm not using it. Keep it greased and it'll be just fine. 20% of my truck's milage is pulling, and in my situation the hidden ball is just fine, in any season.
