Thinking of adding a gooseneck hitch but already have airbags

  #1  
Old 11-15-2018, 12:21 PM
FordTruckNoob's Avatar
FordTruckNoob
FordTruckNoob is online now
Identifies as He/Him/Noob
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 10,706
Received 2,910 Likes on 1,929 Posts
Thinking of adding a gooseneck hitch but already have airbags

I'm thinking of adding a goosneck hitch to my truck (details in sig) but already have Firestone airbags. Are the airbag brackets going to get in the way of mounting a hitch?
 
Attached Images  
  #2  
Old 11-15-2018, 12:34 PM
ford390gashog's Avatar
ford390gashog
ford390gashog is offline
Fleet Owner

Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Brentwood,CA
Posts: 26,006
Received 519 Likes on 398 Posts
Yes those will need to be moved.
 
  #3  
Old 11-15-2018, 01:10 PM
FordTruckNoob's Avatar
FordTruckNoob
FordTruckNoob is online now
Identifies as He/Him/Noob
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 10,706
Received 2,910 Likes on 1,929 Posts
Argh. I was afraid of that.
 
  #4  
Old 11-15-2018, 10:38 PM
'65Ford's Avatar
'65Ford
'65Ford is offline
Cargo Master
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,459
Received 252 Likes on 182 Posts
I think you can have a goose ball without touching the air bags if you don't mind having rails in the bed. My truck has bed rails for a fiver hitch. I bought a goose neck adapter plate that attaches to the rails....made by Reese.
 
  #5  
Old 11-16-2018, 04:57 AM
FordTruckNoob's Avatar
FordTruckNoob
FordTruckNoob is online now
Identifies as He/Him/Noob
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 10,706
Received 2,910 Likes on 1,929 Posts
'65Ford, do those rails connect to the frame? Or does the bed take all the towing loads?
 
  #6  
Old 11-16-2018, 05:29 AM
'65Ford's Avatar
'65Ford
'65Ford is offline
Cargo Master
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,459
Received 252 Likes on 182 Posts
They come with four "L" brackets that bolt to the frame in front and behind the axle. You have to drill holes through the sheet metal in your bed for bolts to connect rails to "L" brackets. Kits also come with spacers to fill in the gaps in the bed so the bed rails rest firmly on the "L" brackets.

This is is just one possibility. Lot of people have airbags so there may be other possibilities.
 
  #7  
Old 11-19-2018, 05:55 AM
FordTruckNoob's Avatar
FordTruckNoob
FordTruckNoob is online now
Identifies as He/Him/Noob
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 10,706
Received 2,910 Likes on 1,929 Posts
Thanks '65Ford. Doing research on the various hitches now and the choices are bewildering.
 
  #8  
Old 11-19-2018, 07:51 PM
akcooper9's Avatar
akcooper9
akcooper9 is offline
Laughing Gas
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 1,025
Received 60 Likes on 38 Posts
Originally Posted by FordTruckNoob
Thanks '65Ford. Doing research on the various hitches now and the choices are bewildering.
I bought these frame brackets: https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...ese/50043.html

And then welded the air bag brackets to the fifth wheel brackets. PM if you would like some pictures.

Here is a few threads I found:

https://www.thedieselstop.com/forums...-hitch-289879/

https://www.powerstrokenation.com/fo...ir-bags-3.html
 
  #9  
Old 11-20-2018, 05:19 AM
FordTruckNoob's Avatar
FordTruckNoob
FordTruckNoob is online now
Identifies as He/Him/Noob
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 10,706
Received 2,910 Likes on 1,929 Posts
Originally Posted by akcooper9
I bought these frame brackets: https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...ese/50043.html

And then welded the air bag brackets to the fifth wheel brackets. PM if you would like some pictures.

Here is a few threads I found:

https://www.thedieselstop.com/forums...-hitch-289879/

https://www.powerstrokenation.com/fo...ir-bags-3.html
Outstanding idea! PM inbound to you.
 
  #10  
Old 03-05-2023, 05:36 AM
FordTruckNoob's Avatar
FordTruckNoob
FordTruckNoob is online now
Identifies as He/Him/Noob
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 10,706
Received 2,910 Likes on 1,929 Posts
I figure I should close this thread out by linking to the final install post: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post19657131
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
wrvond
Fifth Wheel & Gooseneck RV Towing
15
01-22-2017 09:52 AM
Jace2016
2017+ Super Duty
27
10-28-2016 07:34 AM
the_jack_82
Fifth Wheel & Gooseneck RV Towing
2
01-22-2008 07:48 PM
LaredoF350
Fifth Wheel & Gooseneck RV Towing
3
03-11-2005 04:10 PM
sccountryboy
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
10-15-2003 07:28 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Thinking of adding a gooseneck hitch but already have airbags



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:43 AM.