Recommendations on gooseneck hitches

[Silverslug]

I wanted the factory ford but the truck I found does not have the 5thwheel prep package

local place will install a BW gooseneck for $1130

any other brands recommended? BW seems to be the standard go to around here

 

[Ctimrun]

B&W is good. I just had the Ford fifth wheel prep added by the dealer. I would stick to either one of those two.

 

[Muddyz]

I had a quote for $7-800 for a B&W turnover installed. No trailer connecter though so I need to call back and have them quote me for both items and I will let you know.

 

[LoneStar Tremor]

That price seems really high for the install, but if I was going to do it again I’d probably go with the B&W over the factory prep package. The B&W is easier to install than the factory hitch. The B&W also gives you the option to use an offset goose ball because the hole is square rather than round on the factory hitch. To me that’s a big advantage if you know you’ll never use the fifth wheel pucks.

 

[Muddyz]

Okay just got off the phone. The hitch alone is $600 plus 4 hours of install. A hitch wiring extension is $125 plus 1 hour of labor. $1220 cash price was my quote.

 

[Robert357]

This 100%. I did a lot of research and this is the best way to go IMO. It’s an easier install and you don’t have the pull handle sticking out of the wheel well. You simply turn a tab on the ball to lock in or remove.

https://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-Hitch/Curt/C60700.html

 

[Silverslug]

This 100%. I did a lot of research and this is the best way to go IMO. It’s an easier install and you don’t have the pull handle sticking out of the wheel well. You simply turn a tab on the ball to lock in or remove.

https://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-Hitch/Curt/C60700.html

That’s fascinating. I haven’t seen one like this before

 

[Robert357]

That’s fascinating. I haven’t seen one like this before

I wish I could take credit for discovering it but another member had suggested it. I did a lot of research on it and I found it to be a thoroughly excellent product.

 

[Muddyz]

Dropped mine off today for the B&W.

 

[BigBlockFord]

B&W is good. I just had the Ford fifth wheel prep added by the dealer. I would stick to either one of those two.

how much was the factory hitch to get installed? I would assume a good chunk because they have to pull the bed off the truck.

 

[nwhsd]

This 100%. I did a lot of research and this is the best way to go IMO. It’s an easier install and you don’t have the pull handle sticking out of the wheel well. You simply turn a tab on the ball to lock in or remove.

https://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-Hitch/Curt/C60700.html

No way that is better than a B&W if you ever have had any grease on the ball... I did a ton a practical use to know that!

 

[MTmudrunner]

I would go with B&W much better design than the Ford hitch that I have, no stupid plugs to fill the holes in the bed.

 

[DcMoore]

I put a B&W on mine and love it. FWIW you can still use the B&W and rear inner fender well covers.

 

[Nitrodoc]

how much was the factory hitch to get installed? I would assume a good chunk because they have to pull the bed off the truck.

I believe that my dealer charged me close to $1500 to install the factory one.

 

[High Country]

I have B & W Turnover Ball hitches in all my trucks. Strongly recommend. I installed myself - took about 5 hours to install laying on the floor of the shop as I have no lift. No cutting of frame or body members to install for MY22 as I had on my '97. Very Clean looking installation. I recommend using a 3 5/8" hole saw as opposed to the 4" listed in the instructions to drill the hole through the bed and taking a Dremel tool with a sanding drum to square up the cut edge then touch up the cut edge with some bed liner. This leaves about 1/16" gap between the bed and the hitch instead of the 3/16" - 1/4" gap left by a 4" whole saw. I doubt any shop install would take that kind of care to change the instructions to make a cleaner looking install. I had to trim about 4" of the drivers side fender well to remove the round over to allow the ball release lever to fully disengage. Not noticeable and keeps your hands from scraping the wheel well liner when pulling out the lever.

 

[Norcal18]

Unless something has changed, which I don’t think it has, the B&W one has a bracket that blocks removal of one of the shocks. May not be a big deal to you, but I would personally go OEM because of that.

 

[High Country]

Unless something has changed, which I don’t think it has, the B&W one has a bracket that blocks removal of one of the shocks. May not be a big deal to you, but I would personally go OEM because of that.

Yes, in order to remove/replace the passenger side rear shock you would have to remove one of the mounting plates on the B&W hitch. I have gone through 2 shock changes in 400,000 miles on my '97 Powerstroke. I can handle removing a couple extra bolts and a plate on the B&W on the rare occasion I need to change shocks. I personally feel the B&W is a better hitch than the factory hitch. My B&W Companion Slider hitch is necessary on a short bed tow vehicle for my Momentum 5th Wheel with it's 1' over hang over the hitch pin. With the slider in the rear position I can turn 90*+ like a long bed which is essential for getting into tight spots and turning around in the back country.