goose neck
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,229
Likes: 4,246
From: Kaysville Utah
Dealer wanted $695. I went down the street and found two aftermarket places that would install it for $475. So I picked the one that was closest to home and they also got to do my spray in liner while they did the hitch. So out the door for both for under $1000.
You can buy the B&W for $399 and install it yourself. Takes about an hour. But you have to be brave enough to use a hole saw on your new truck!
You can buy the B&W for $399 and install it yourself. Takes about an hour. But you have to be brave enough to use a hole saw on your new truck!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
Does this include the wiring/plug in the bed of your truck?
I'm wanting to get away from the bumper pull equipment trailer so I'm new to the gooseneck world. Seems like a smarter thing to do from experience and what I read.
A local trailer shop quoted me $550 for the 1111R B&W turnover ball and installation. Another $120 for the electrical wiring/plug in the bed.
I haven't asked my dealer. I assumed they would be more and didn't even try.
It's cutting into my truck that makes me nervous...I don't work on vehicles for a living so I would rather have someone else do it who does this daily.
B&W Custom Truck Beds, Inc.#
I'm wanting to get away from the bumper pull equipment trailer so I'm new to the gooseneck world. Seems like a smarter thing to do from experience and what I read.
A local trailer shop quoted me $550 for the 1111R B&W turnover ball and installation. Another $120 for the electrical wiring/plug in the bed.
I haven't asked my dealer. I assumed they would be more and didn't even try.
It's cutting into my truck that makes me nervous...I don't work on vehicles for a living so I would rather have someone else do it who does this daily.
B&W Custom Truck Beds, Inc.#
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
I have the reese elite rail with gooseneck coming sometime next week so I will be able to fill everyone in on how easy of an install it is. Four 2 1/2 inch holes for fifth wheel. One slightly bigger for the gooseneck and one in the side of the bed for the plug. Lots of cutting but I love it.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 3
I have the reese elite rail with gooseneck coming sometime next week so I will be able to fill everyone in on how easy of an install it is. Four 2 1/2 inch holes for fifth wheel. One slightly bigger for the gooseneck and one in the side of the bed for the plug. Lots of cutting but I love it.
You doing this on a long bed or a shortie?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Harrodsburg
thanks!
while I am asking.....are you happy with the hideaway ball?
I have never had a hideaway but would likely go with the option for a new truck.
the advantage of the permanent ball is my wife doesn't have another thing to mess with when hooking up and hauling.
KPER- with a gooseneck set-up....you really don't know the trailer is behind you. no sway from a center point of access like a bumper pull, easier to turn and back in tight spaces and much easier to hook-up for my wife.
in fact- I had to have some trailer work done recently, mechanic asked if she needed help and she said...."no all set"...... and she got the applause of several guys in the shop when she drove up then backed our horse-trailer between two vehicles.
while I am asking.....are you happy with the hideaway ball?
I have never had a hideaway but would likely go with the option for a new truck.
the advantage of the permanent ball is my wife doesn't have another thing to mess with when hooking up and hauling.
KPER- with a gooseneck set-up....you really don't know the trailer is behind you. no sway from a center point of access like a bumper pull, easier to turn and back in tight spaces and much easier to hook-up for my wife.
in fact- I had to have some trailer work done recently, mechanic asked if she needed help and she said...."no all set"...... and she got the applause of several guys in the shop when she drove up then backed our horse-trailer between two vehicles.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
thanks!
while I am asking.....are you happy with the hideaway ball?
I have never had a hideaway but would likely go with the option for a new truck.
the advantage of the permanent ball is my wife doesn't have another thing to mess with when hooking up and hauling.
KPER- with a gooseneck set-up....you really don't know the trailer is behind you. no sway from a center point of access like a bumper pull, easier to turn and back in tight spaces and much easier to hook-up for my wife.
in fact- I had to have some trailer work done recently, mechanic asked if she needed help and she said...."no all set"...... and she got the applause of several guys in the shop when she drove up then backed our horse-trailer between two vehicles.
while I am asking.....are you happy with the hideaway ball?
I have never had a hideaway but would likely go with the option for a new truck.
the advantage of the permanent ball is my wife doesn't have another thing to mess with when hooking up and hauling.
KPER- with a gooseneck set-up....you really don't know the trailer is behind you. no sway from a center point of access like a bumper pull, easier to turn and back in tight spaces and much easier to hook-up for my wife.
in fact- I had to have some trailer work done recently, mechanic asked if she needed help and she said...."no all set"...... and she got the applause of several guys in the shop when she drove up then backed our horse-trailer between two vehicles.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Long beds only for me. It actually looks easier to put in than the b&w in the old dodge.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 3
MSRP on the prep kit is $370 and the gooseneck ball kit is another $250, but that can be found cheaper online either under the Ford or Reese brand...
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 2
I was working out of state when I bought my truck. I had no shop available to tackle the install. It did not include the in box wiring, They wanted $100 more for that option. It took an experienced guy about 2.5 hours to install the hitch. I do not have a goose neck trailer so but I do like the clean box floor when I remove the Companion 5th wheel hitch. I went with the B&W because my previous truck had it installed when I bought it. I had purchased the Companion for that truck. I like the Companion hitch so much there was never a thought about going another route.
Regards
Regards
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
I was working out of state when I bought my truck. I had no shop available to tackle the install. It did not include the in box wiring, They wanted $100 more for that option. It took an experienced guy about 2.5 hours to install the hitch. I do not have a goose neck trailer so but I do like the clean box floor when I remove the Companion 5th wheel hitch. I went with the B&W because my previous truck had it installed when I bought it. I had purchased the Companion for that truck. I like the Companion hitch so much there was never a thought about going another route.
Regards
Regards
Have you ever had any problems with your u-bolts or the draw down bolt stripping when torquing to b&w specs? I never had a problem with mine but my buddy is on his second draw down and third set of u-bolts.
this forum.