Gooseneck Hitches
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Southwest lower MI
Gooseneck Hitches
I need to intall / purchase / or build a gooseneck hitch for my 99 F350 DRW 4x4. I've looked at a few. The simplest is a 1/2" steel plate with the ball welded in the center and then bolted to the frame rails at TSC for +/- $99.
I think that's too high for what it is. However I've also seen the hidden ball types that run up to $500 made especially for the super duty which might make the installation simpler. I don't llike the idea of the Reese or their copies with the rails running across the bed as I do haul alot in the bed.
I am very talented with fabrication and have thought about building my own, but have lacked the time this year.
What do the rest of you have? What are your experiences / suggestions? If you had it to do over again.
I think that's too high for what it is. However I've also seen the hidden ball types that run up to $500 made especially for the super duty which might make the installation simpler. I don't llike the idea of the Reese or their copies with the rails running across the bed as I do haul alot in the bed.
I am very talented with fabrication and have thought about building my own, but have lacked the time this year.
What do the rest of you have? What are your experiences / suggestions? If you had it to do over again.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Lamesa,Texas
my truck was the last year of the old body style(1997) but the process should be about the same. i couldnt stand to spend the $500. I just bought a large piece of steel. 1" thick X 6" wide X about 4' long. the steel cost about $45. the one inch thickness was just the right thickness to fit between the frame and the bed. then i drilled four holes through the bed, plate, and frame and installed four 1/2" grade 8 bolts. finally i welded the plate to the frame on both sides and cut a hole right in the middle for the ball. after installing the ball and tightening it i welded the nut to the bottom of the plate. now if i ever need to i can unscrew the ball and have a smooth load floor. but, i have never removed it. i can set a pallet of feed over the ball and it really doesnt get in the way of anything else. just my experience and a way to get by for less than $75. I tow regularly and haul some heavy loades of livestock and feed so i feel that this option is safe and plenty strong. i hope that this will help out. have fun
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 848
Likes: 3
From: Kokomo
I have a home made gooseneck plate in my truck, bought it for $40 from a friend, it's worth more then that in scrap! I put six grade 8 5\8 bolts in mine. I took my time making some thick spacers to go between the frame and the bed to keep from smashing the bed when tighting the bolts. My plate is really long and wide, I would think that the farther up the bed that you could bolt it the better. The ball is both bolted and welded. After the plate-nuts-bolts-washers-ball-scrap metal-paint I would say that I have $75 in it, and there is no way a B+W or anything else is any stronger!!! On the other hand a lot of people probally think it looks tacky, I think it looks good, not that I care, height wise the ball is a 1\2in. or less taller then a B+W or other big money hitch, since the ball would be level coming out of the bed vs the ball being on top of the 1\2in. plate, but the plate is smashed pretty hard on the bed so I would guess it's not even a 1\2in. Oh this is the 4th truck to get this plate, never once had to drill diffrent holes, the frame width has been the same on the fords for a long time.
Last edited by SMiller; Nov 8, 2004 at 08:04 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 43
From: maryland
i bought a pop up ball mount from weaver distributing in pa, that was made by curt manufacturing. it was designed for the truck all mounts under bed and ball sucks down flat when not in use. like $350 i think. im happy with it.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
I was going to suggest the Curt pop-up also. I don't have one myself, but there was a SuperDuty up on the lift getting an exhaust system when I stopped in to get a price for my exhaust. The SD on the lift had a Curt hitch and it really is sweet. Very heavy duty! You can operate the hitch without even getting in the bed.
If you want to be able to have the whole bed available when you are not using the ball, this is the way to go.
If you want to be able to have the whole bed available when you are not using the ball, this is the way to go.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
I highly recommend the B&W Turnover ball. It costs around $400 installed but is well worth it in my opinion. I also have the Companion 5th Wheel which fits in the same hitch. Now I have the best of all worlds, unobstructed bed, gooseneck ball and 5th wheel plate from the one hitch.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 671
Likes: 4
From: Elkhart USA
i recomend the curt C-52 pop up . i install them in my F550 hualer beds it cost around $130. i fab the rest in house..
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New User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7
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I'd go with the B&W turn over ball. I've had several types, Plates with the ball welded on , Hide-a-hitches & fifthwheel types. The B&W comes in a kit that is not hard to install yourself, you only cut a 4"-5" round hole in the bed, the ball flips over and is flush with the bed when you don't need it and you can get a fifthwheel hitch that will mount in the same hole so you can have the best of both with out cutting or drilling more mounts.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Staunton, Va.
I would definitely go with a ball that can drop down or turn over....you never know when you , or someone else , will need to transport something that you don't want to deal with a greasy hitch ball. We have been buying fold down /plate ***** at the Tractor Supply for $100.00 for our last 4 trucks and have been extremely happy with them. We are thinking of trying the B&W turnover ball next time...particularly the one where you don't need to touch the ball ( lever release ). From what I've heard from friends, don't shop for hitches at the travel trailer places....prices have been high.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 688
Likes: 3
From: Fairbanks, AK
I have installed the B&W turnover ball on a '95 F-350 and it went great. That was the older style where you had to cut a square hole (saw zall) for the hitch. The new on utilizes a round hole (hole saw), much easier and better looking. Leaves everthing flush mounted out of the way when not in use. Definately B&W for me 
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 42,594
Likes: 3,125
From: Fraziers Bottom, WV
I have the hidden hitch and love it. It was easy to install and when not towing the bal is out of the way. My friend has his on a plate bolted in the bed and his other truck has the plate under the bed. In both cases the ball is screwed in and the last time we need to haul something it took a 4 foot pipe wrench and a 12 lb hammer an 1 hout to unscrew the ball. The ball in his truck is always in the way!
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Ontario, Canada
I also have the Hidden Hitch, under bed mount. Only puts a 4" hole in the bed and the safety chain loops are spring loaded and lie virtually flat. The ball is removeable and locks into place nicely. Cost was up around 800 installed but then again thats Canadian bucks......
Also, if you have an older gooseneck, you may not have enoough play in the neck to level the trailer properly. I was going to install 5er rails and put in a removeable hitch but it added 3" to the height. Would have been fine on my old truck but not on my '00 PSD.
Also, if you have an older gooseneck, you may not have enoough play in the neck to level the trailer properly. I was going to install 5er rails and put in a removeable hitch but it added 3" to the height. Would have been fine on my old truck but not on my '00 PSD.
Last edited by 2000psd; Nov 10, 2004 at 07:39 PM.
