Ok, total novice here so sorry if what im about to ask is dumb.

I just bought a 1988 Chevy C30 rollback truck. It's 26' long from bumper to tail. My buddy has a 25' GN trailer I can borrow to move it.

I dont have a gooseneck hitch in my truck. I did some googling and there's literally just a plate with a ball on it for $~150. I imagine it just bolts to the truck frame and that's it.

i also noticed a fancier one for like 3x the price that has a rail system and all sorts of other shenanigans.

What should I be looking for? Links would be awesome.

Thanks guys.

 

B&W turnover ball

This is a very nice design

 

I agree with Nick. I have the B&W in my 97, and the 96 crew. A very good set up.

 

Double post

 

So the only difference between the cheaper plate and the BW is that the BW is a hideaway hitch?

ill probably go with the hideaway one as it's my daily driver and I'd rather spend the money now and be happy as opposed to having to buy the better one later.

Anything else I should buy while I'm at it? My truck had a plate in it before as I have a plug in my bed for either a goose or a 5er.

 

I pulled a draw-tite turnover ball from my parts truck. What is the consensus on that brand?

 

Mine has been in my truck so long I can't remember the brand. I don't think you will go wrong with a draw-tite . I think the new ones are about $300.00 now. (I just took a quick look at pricing) so free from a parts truck is a big + as long as it is installed right, which I am sure you already know.

 

Ok. Installing the hitch now.

Anyone know if i'm going to run into clearance issues with a 5" exhaust in my truck?

I see they want me to lower my exhaust but i really don't want my exhaust hanging low as that's ugly to me.

 

I had zero issues with mine. It might be a different style than yours though.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...k-install.html


mine is just a plate bolted to frame with some tubes/pipe around the bolts so the bed wont cave in. bed is cut since it is a hide away


Most places online suggest the ball should be inline or slightly before the rear wheels towards the front of the bed

 

Well I removed the exhaust from halfway up the bed back to give me more clearance.

Im not sure if it's going to cause a fitment issue yet but I'll report back on that. If it does I'll heat it up with a torch and give it a few love taps. Looking at it now though I don't think it's going to be an issue.

About to loosen the bed bolts up to give me a little more access.

 

I have the b&w one and I really like it! Also allows me to put in the fifth wheel adapter when I want to do that!
Hitch Finder | THE B&W ADVANTAGE
Also great customer service and on mine I got lifetime warranty!

 

Ok. Here's an update. Got the hitch installed today. Got all the bolts in and torqued down.

Went to put the exhaust in (5" exhaust mind you) and the exhaust hit the gooseneck rail where the exhaust goes over the rear axle.

I could of lowered the hangers like the manual suggests, but i don't like the look of an exhaust hanging low. I like the factory tucked up nice and high look. I marked the exhaust with a sharpie where it was hitting the crossmember and then i heated it up with my oxy torch until it was red hot.

I took a piece of 1 1/2" black steel pipe used for plumbing and set that on the red hot exhaust and then smacked it with a hammer. The pipe gave it a nice round contour when it bent. I bent it in about 3/4-1" in. I highly highly doubt this will impede performance as my truck for the most part is stock and a 4" exhaust can handle something crazy in terms of horsepower.

After it was bent, it fit like a glove. The goosneck crossmember goes perfectly through the bend in the exhaust and my factory hangers worked perfect. Nothing hits anything and i'm a happy camper.

Going to re-wire the gooseneck plug in the bed tomorrow and then clean the FPR screen and then go find me a gooseneck trailer to tow.

Oh, and if this ends up on any sort of search engine, for anyone wondering if there's an easy way to hold up the center section of the hitch without an overhead lifting device see the first picture below. Was pretty nifty.

 

doubt that dent in the pipe will affect any thing


your lift idea is good, they do similar for some FWD cars to hold the engine up while changing a timing belt that goes around the motor mounts




I have used a step ladder and a 2x4 with me on one end to lift things as well