Hitch Idea thoughts
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 320
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From: Southeast Idaho
Hitch Idea thoughts
OK I know the goose neck adapter subject has been beat to death all over the web. I just bought a new to me truck that has a B&W turnover ball already in the bed. I really hate the idea of contaminating my truck bed with the permanently installed Reese mounting rails from my old truck. With all the bad stories about the goose neck adapters I think I have decided not to go that route. I don't have an extra $800 bucks to throw down on the B&W companion so I had a thought, being the cheap *** that I am. What if I were to modify my Reese rails to work in principle like the companion? I'm sure someone out there has already done this so I thought I would throw it out there and see if anyone had any thoughts or ideas that might be helpful. I'm going to get some iron tomorrow and get started on this project. I was thinking that I would weld some sort of bracing between the rails with a square post the size of the receiver for the turnover ball welded in the middle to lock it down. That seems simple enough and basically how the companion is secured.
Any input would be appreciated, thanks.
Any input would be appreciated, thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 466
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Do some searching on RV.NET. There was (about 18-24 months ago) one gentleman that "adapted" a rail mounted hitch to his underbed gooseneck mount. His gooseneck ball screwed into the underbed mount.
Basically, he welded rectangular tubing from the front leg to the rear leg, on each side of the assembly. He then welded a 4" wide by 3/4" thick plate side to side between the afore mentioned leg tubes. He then had a large bolt made that would screw into the gooseneck mount (replacing the screwin ball). After drilling a hole for the bolt in the cross plate, bolted the whole assembly to the gooseneck mount.
I seem to recall that he used a smaller bolt off to one side to prevent the assembly from pivoting.
If you find it, he had posted pictures with the story.
good luck
Basically, he welded rectangular tubing from the front leg to the rear leg, on each side of the assembly. He then welded a 4" wide by 3/4" thick plate side to side between the afore mentioned leg tubes. He then had a large bolt made that would screw into the gooseneck mount (replacing the screwin ball). After drilling a hole for the bolt in the cross plate, bolted the whole assembly to the gooseneck mount.
I seem to recall that he used a smaller bolt off to one side to prevent the assembly from pivoting.
If you find it, he had posted pictures with the story.
good luck
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 3
From: Windsor, Colorado
Just go look at a B&W companion. It would not be hard to copy if you have some fabrication skill and equipment. The key is making it tighten against the pin in the b&w. Just a bolt and unbolts on the companion. Pretty simple.
