Installing Gooseneck Hitch ...
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: St Cloud, FL
Installing Gooseneck Hitch ...
I'm about to purchase a horse trailer that will require me to install a gooseneck hitch in my truck. I dont have the details but it's a 3 horse steel trailer with a small RV/sleeper area. It's under 6000 lbs.
I called my local trailer repair place to see what they charge for installs. $700 (does not include the cost of the hitch). Does this seem a little high? (as in high priced and they are high for asking this price?)
I poked around on Youtube and found a few super duty install videos for goosenecks. I can rebuild an engine, seriously, how hard can it be?
It looks easy but those guys probably do it all the time so here's my questions:
Did you install your gooseneck hitch?
How long did it really take?
Any thoughts or tips you'd like to share?
Any brand better than others (besides the obvious flip style ones)?
Do you really have to remove the bedliner and is this going to be as much of a pain in the butt as I guess it will be?
Should I put the liner back or just not bother?
Would love to see photos of your installs ...
Thanks in advance for your replies! I look forward to them.
I called my local trailer repair place to see what they charge for installs. $700 (does not include the cost of the hitch). Does this seem a little high? (as in high priced and they are high for asking this price?)
I poked around on Youtube and found a few super duty install videos for goosenecks. I can rebuild an engine, seriously, how hard can it be?
It looks easy but those guys probably do it all the time so here's my questions:
Did you install your gooseneck hitch?
How long did it really take?
Any thoughts or tips you'd like to share?
Any brand better than others (besides the obvious flip style ones)?
Do you really have to remove the bedliner and is this going to be as much of a pain in the butt as I guess it will be?
Should I put the liner back or just not bother?
Would love to see photos of your installs ...
Thanks in advance for your replies! I look forward to them.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: North GA
Its quite simple to do, i would recommend purchasing a B&W Flip-Over Ball goose-neck hitch. I have installed multiple in F-250s and one in a F-150 with no problems what-so-ever. They come with step by step instructions of how to measure and cut everything. They are also completely bolt-on, aside from cutting the 4inch hole in the bed. Everything else is all bolts, no welding, drilling, or cutting to the frame is required. By myself I can install one in about 3 hours, a little less if you get somebody to help ya. $700 is WAY to much to install one, its really not that hard, although the hitch itself is around $400. As far as the bed liner goes, if it is a rubber bed mat all you have to do is cut a hole in it as well and it works perfectly, not so sure about the plastic drop in type. Here is the link to B&W's site: B & W Trailer Hitches
And this is the place I order all mine from because they have free shipping,and they are heavy: B&W Turnover Ball Gooseneck Hitches for Ford Trucks
There are also links to the installation instructions on that site if you want to take a look before you order!
~Kevin
And this is the place I order all mine from because they have free shipping,and they are heavy: B&W Turnover Ball Gooseneck Hitches for Ford Trucks
There are also links to the installation instructions on that site if you want to take a look before you order!
~Kevin
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,337
Likes: 346
From: Breckenridge, TX
X3 on the B&W Turnover Ball.
Only time I ever saw an install of one of these the guy used a punch to mark the spot, but then used a string and marker to scribe a 4" circle. Then punch the pilot hole using the bit on the hole saw, and then cut the big hole. I've used a hole saw to cut knockouts for lights on headache racks, and if you're cutting by hand they really want to squirm around until you get a good groove started, so having the circle drawn helped him a lot. Go slow with the saw and don't burn it up, the bed is pretty thin but there's no need to use fluid if you can keep to drill turning slow. I use a small HD drill press and the crappy off the shelf hole saws to cut 3/8" plate, a bed floor should be a cake walk.
Only time I ever saw an install of one of these the guy used a punch to mark the spot, but then used a string and marker to scribe a 4" circle. Then punch the pilot hole using the bit on the hole saw, and then cut the big hole. I've used a hole saw to cut knockouts for lights on headache racks, and if you're cutting by hand they really want to squirm around until you get a good groove started, so having the circle drawn helped him a lot. Go slow with the saw and don't burn it up, the bed is pretty thin but there's no need to use fluid if you can keep to drill turning slow. I use a small HD drill press and the crappy off the shelf hole saws to cut 3/8" plate, a bed floor should be a cake walk.
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Decatur
I had a B&W Turnover Ball on my last truck (2008 F250). I bought it and had it installed at the same place and same time that I picked up a trailer I was buying, so they gave me the install for like half off I think? Normally the install went for $250 on top of the hitch kit I think though. It took the guy a little over an hour to do, but he does them pretty often. I figure I could have done it with someone helping me in 3-4 hours, but letting someone do it who does them all the time for a good price was a no brainer. I priced places all around and found that the going rate was $250-$350. This was 2 years ago, but I can't imagine the price has gone up that much. My current ride does not need a Turnover Ball though 
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
Here's my experience installing the B&W.
‪Fifth wheel B&W Companion Hitch Install on a 2011 Ford Super Duty F350 6.7L diesel‬‏ - YouTube
‪Fifth wheel B&W Companion Hitch Install on a 2011 Ford Super Duty F350 6.7L diesel‬‏ - YouTube
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 5
From: Stillwater, OK
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: maine
Do they have to manually wire in your trailer plug or is there just a quick connection they can use? Do you already have a trailer braking controller inside the truck? I'm asking, basically trying to justify the $700 install cost.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Decatur
It is possibly slightly different wiring on an 00 than on the 08 I had, but he simply plugged in a "T" plug on the existing wiring plug and mounted the new socket in the bed. Took about 7 or 8 minutes if I remember correctly. I can't imaging wiring/plug/etc adding more than $50-$100 if anything.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 939
Likes: 1
From: Central Kansas
What brand was he wanting to install? $700 for just installation sounds GROSSLY out of line. For a frame of reference, I just had a B&W installed a few weeks ago, hitch was $400 and installation was $90. I decided my time was worth $90. The highest installation quote I got was $150. Most of the farmers and horse people around here use B&W's but they are made here in Kansas though. Don't know what's popular down there but I would recommend the B&W, super easy and a clean bed when not using it.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: St Cloud, FL
Well I didn't have the frame of mind to really ask him what the brand was. It had not occurred to me that one brand was better than any other as the design/idea of them seems to be pretty simple. I guess I'll email him and ask him. I appreciate that response. To me - based on that video - it really seemed ridiculous.
I have a friend that has a gooseneck hitch out of her old 2000 super duty. She offered it to me for free. I know they take pretty good care of their stuff and hers is stowed in the garage. You think buying a used one is an ok thing? Hers IS a B&W and she only used it for a couple of years infrequently. She got rid of the truck and gave the guy such a good deal that she decided that he wouldn't be getting the gooseneck hitch.
If I do buy this from her, do you think there are places that might install it for me? I probably CAN but ... I dunno ... if I could find a decent price I'd rather have someone that has done it a lot do it.
I have a friend that has a gooseneck hitch out of her old 2000 super duty. She offered it to me for free. I know they take pretty good care of their stuff and hers is stowed in the garage. You think buying a used one is an ok thing? Hers IS a B&W and she only used it for a couple of years infrequently. She got rid of the truck and gave the guy such a good deal that she decided that he wouldn't be getting the gooseneck hitch.
If I do buy this from her, do you think there are places that might install it for me? I probably CAN but ... I dunno ... if I could find a decent price I'd rather have someone that has done it a lot do it.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: St Cloud, FL
Not sure why all the posts above me showed up AFTER I posted. They weren't there a few minutes ago ... hmmmm
LOL @ epiccowlick - Your video is one of the ones I watched. How funny is that?!
I have trailer brakes and electrical hookup that works just fine. I pull a BP 2 horse right now with no problems. The cord on the Gooseneck is long and attaches without problem to the same outlet that my BP uses (thats how the old owner does it too).
I told the guy it already had electrical installed brakes/lights. All I needed was the physical hitch installed. I could even remove the (plastic) bedliner if it would save him time and me money.
I've got no idea how it looks under that. Might be entertaining.
I'm going to see if I can contact another trailer place or two. I'm thinking this local guy is way the heck over priced. It's sad because I would really rather pay local businesses than go out of my area.
I'm batting zero finding a spare wheel for my truck right now and no junk yards have one. NOW I have to go calling for a wheel and now the hitch. Ugh.
Thanks for your help everyone!
This is all good stuff.
LOL @ epiccowlick - Your video is one of the ones I watched. How funny is that?!
I have trailer brakes and electrical hookup that works just fine. I pull a BP 2 horse right now with no problems. The cord on the Gooseneck is long and attaches without problem to the same outlet that my BP uses (thats how the old owner does it too).
I told the guy it already had electrical installed brakes/lights. All I needed was the physical hitch installed. I could even remove the (plastic) bedliner if it would save him time and me money.
I've got no idea how it looks under that. Might be entertaining.
I'm going to see if I can contact another trailer place or two. I'm thinking this local guy is way the heck over priced. It's sad because I would really rather pay local businesses than go out of my area.
I'm batting zero finding a spare wheel for my truck right now and no junk yards have one. NOW I have to go calling for a wheel and now the hitch. Ugh.
Thanks for your help everyone!
This is all good stuff.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
2011, ball, f350, ford, goose, gooseneck, hitch, installation, installing, instructions, kit, neck, put, truck, turnover
