I have an 06 F-250 short box. Looking to get a gooseneck hitch installed. I have a B&W hide-a-way hitch priced at $581 installed. My question is this: Are there any brands better than the other? Lastly, is this a good price? Can i do better? My only requirement is that it can flip, slide, or hide so i can have a smooth bed.

 

bw is about the tops thats what i have and i love it as far as price goes i installed mine myself and i paid 350.00 easy instal

 

B&W is the way to go. I absolutely LOVE mine. Plus there are a plethera of options for it. I paid right around $350 as well. Very easy install.

 

What they said...Although I got lucky and found mine for $100 w/o the ball...paid $60 for that new. Takes about a half hour to install it if you are fairly mechanical and have the tools.

 

Half and hour to install??? It took me half and hour to cut the hole in my bed! I measured and remeasured and did a lot of thinking before making the cut. Sure didn't want to mess up my new truck.

BTW, I was too cheap to buy a hole saw. I used my Bosch jig saw to make the cut then filed the burrs, worked great.

 

LMAO!!! OK...SO I have a little help from a friend.........who just happens to work in a trailer shop.. Did I forget to mention that?

Although he did say since I marked the hole...I had to cut it.

But all turned out good. And we just whipped through it.

 

check ebay. I have a b&w turnover ball, but have never used it. But anyway I was checking ebay yesturday for a B&W companion and I saw a ton of turnover ***** 4 sale for alot less than $350

 

I have a Pop-Up hitch in my dually and and B&W hitch in another truck. Both are great hitches. Just be sure to buy the gooseneck extender if you have a SB.

Blake

 

Buy a 4" hole saw for 20-40 bucks, buy the hitch for 350 and install it yourself....it will come out cheaper and youl have the satisfaction of doing it yourself!! takes 2 hours tops!

 

One question for all of the do-it-your-selfers. Did yall take the bed off or leave it on? Comparing it to installing gauges, is it easier or harder than that?

 

Answered my own question. No bed take off. I may can do this now!!

 

check out the B&W website. they have pdf's available of all the installation instructions.

http://www.turnoverball.com/

application guide
http://www.turnoverball.com/turnover/applications.htm

99-07, SB & LB, Ford Super Duty, 3/4T & 1 Ton, fits with most aftermarket airbags
Model 1105R, can be mounted 3.5" or 6.5" from center of axle to center of ball
http://www.turnoverball.com/downloads/pdf/1105R.pdf


99-2008, SB & LB, Ford Super Duty, 3/4T & 1 Ton, and 08 F450 with factory installed bed
Model 1108R, mounting is 4.5" from center of axle to center of ball (NOTE: all measurements place ball in front of axle)

http://www.turnoverball.com/downloads/pdf/1108R.pdf

 

When you cut the hole...depending on your bed and your likes...you will have two choices on where to cut the hole, (with a B&W), 43 or 46 inches. The 43 will put the hitch right over the rear axle, the 46 will put it to the front of the axle by 3 inches. Depends on your trailer too. Also, if you go with a 4inch hole saw, you will have about a 1/4 to 1/2 gap around the hitch plate that sticks up in the bed. I went with a 3 1/2 and it is a snug fit with very little gap. Just looks cleaner to me. But you have to be VERY careful when measuring and cutting for the hole. You get less room for error with a smaller hole saw. The instructions called for the 4 inch, but my buddy said to go with the 3 1/2, (or the 3 3/4 can't remember which), for a better look.

 

I've used the Drawtite 'Hide a goose" hitch on my last three trucks. It appears to be the exact same product as the B&W from the photo's and descriptions. Capacities are the same, everything appears to be the same.

I too installed my own, and am in the process of transfering the hitch from my '05 F350 to my '08 F450.

Scott