Posted 2010-03-03 8:01 AM (#117194) Subject: Installing our own gooseneck hitch?
Member
Posts: 7
I am switching from a tag along to a gooseneck soon and need to have the hitch installed in the bed of my trailer. When doing an internet search I came across this site:http://stores.got-chrome.com/Items/d70946134?&caSKU=d70946134&caTitle=30K%20Under%20Bed%20Gooseneck%20Hitch%20Ball%20Chevy%20GMC%202500HD%2001-10They state that the hitch is easily installed by someone with a general idea of DIY practices. My question to you all is...is this a good idea? I'm interested in doing this myself but also don't want to watch my trailer pass me on the highway. Has anyone used this brand before and found it to be quality?Thanks so much for your input!
Posted 2010-03-03 8:40 AM (#117200 - in reply to #117194) Subject: RE: Installing our own gooseneck hitch?
Member
Posts: 25
Location: Sedalia, Colorado
I like the BW Turnover, my son and I installed it in about an hour on my F-350. The only tough part was raising the courage to cut a hole in the then brand new bed.
Posted 2010-03-03 8:56 AM (#117201 - in reply to #117194) Subject: RE: Installing our own gooseneck hitch?
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
I've never used that brand of hitch. But I have installed the B&W Turnover ball on two F350.
It' takes an hour maybe an hour & half to do. All the holes in the hitch line up with the holes in the frame. So it's just holding the parts in place and putting bolts through the holes and tighting the nuts. The hardest part is getting the courage to cut a 4" hole in your truck bed. And hope you measured everything just right so that it's in the right place.
I have not purchased one for a couple of years. But it seems they ran $300 to $350 to purchase. Most dealers would sell and install for less than $500 if you don't want to roll around on your garage floor for an hour.
Posted 2010-03-03 8:19 PM (#117227 - in reply to #117194) Subject: RE: Installing our own gooseneck hitch?
Member
Posts: 7
Thanks guys! The B&W hitch is only a bit more than the one I posted so I think I'll go with that one as it seems to be a pretty universally known product. It is great to hear that some have experienced it to be as easy to install as the website says.
Posted 2010-03-03 8:39 PM (#117228 - in reply to #117194) Subject: RE: Installing our own gooseneck hitch?
Expert
Posts: 2954
Location: North Carolina
I installed my B+W hitch. Besides cutting a honk'n big hole in a pristine new bed, lifting the hitch plate into position was the hardest part. After a bit of head scratching, A rope through the fore-mentioned hole connecting the hitch plate and a 2x4 across the bed sides did the trick. Lifting one end of the 2x4 provided enough mechanical advantage for my wife to lift & hold it into position while I bolted it into place.
Posted 2010-03-04 6:22 AM (#117235 - in reply to #117194) Subject: RE: Installing our own gooseneck hitch?
Member
Posts: 33
Location: Bloomington, IL.
I installed the B&W pretty much the same as everyone else but had no help. A long 2x4 across the bed rails and a small ratched strap through the hole in bed and over the 2x4 to pullup into position and hold for assembly helped greatly