Posted 2011-02-04 8:41 AM (#129771) Subject: goose neck hitch extenders for short beds
Member
Posts: 33 Location: Ohio
First, I want to thank everyone for their help on the model year comparisons of the F-350s. I have 3 trucks lined up to test drive this weekend.
All three are short beds. This in itself isn't an issue (I don't need the length for storage), and I actually would prefer a short bed as this is my primary vehicle and I actually like to park within a mile of my destination. However, I did manage to take out the back window on my Chevy short bed this summer trying to turn too my big goose neck too tightly (despite the fact that I was ANAL about constantly checking my turn radius). What can I say, I'm blond. :>) (To my credit, I knew I would end up doing that eventually. I wanted to get the hitch extender initially but my husband talked me out of it).
I'm considering getting a hitch extender this time around. Anyone have experience with them? Wondering what the cost is and if has made a significant difference in your turn radius.
Posted 2011-02-04 9:32 AM (#129775 - in reply to #129771) Subject: RE: goose neck hitch extenders for short beds
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Hitch extenders will generally come from the same company that makes the Gooseneck hitch. i.e. B&W has a turnover ball hitch that is an extended hitch. Their product offers a 4" offset.
The other method is to change out your Gooseneck Coupler on the trailer.
I guess the final choice would come down to what you can find that will fit your existing equipment. No sense buying a B&W extend a hitch, if the truck doesn't have a B&W turn over ball system.
I owned several short bed F350 and never had a problem with hitting my back window, But maybe my trailer profiles matched up better to my fords
Posted 2011-02-04 10:00 AM (#129778 - in reply to #129771) Subject: RE: goose neck hitch extenders for short beds
Member
Posts: 33 Location: Ohio
None of the trucks I'm looking at currently have gooseneck hitches installed, so I would be doing that myself.
The only issue I've had with my trailer was in my own driveway. The way the barn and the house were configured, the only way to turn the trailer around was to swing it around our rather narrow turnaround doing an Austin Powers 17 point turn (due to the location of our pasture fences and an telephone pole, it was impossible to back the trailer into our driveway). We are in the process of moving, so that won't be an issue...but I still don't want to have another blond moment like that!
Posted 2011-02-06 8:24 PM (#129848 - in reply to #129771) Subject: RE: goose neck hitch extenders for short beds
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I have a short bed F250 and I got the SB1 hitch extebder for my LQ Absolutely love it..moved it back 9in. Made all the difference with turning and backing into tight spots..
Posted 2011-02-09 12:55 AM (#129955 - in reply to #129778) Subject: RE: goose neck hitch extenders for short beds
Member
Posts: 9
Originally written by kcrazzmatazz on 2011-02-04 8:00 AM
None of the trucks I'm looking at currently have gooseneck hitches installed, so I would be doing that myself.
The only issue I've had with my trailer was in my own driveway. The way the barn and the house were configured, the only way to turn the trailer around was to swing it around our rather narrow turnaround doing an Austin Powers 17 point turn (due to the location of our pasture fences and an telephone pole, it was impossible to back the trailer into our driveway). We are in the process of moving, so that won't be an issue...but I still don't want to have another blond moment like that!
I can't visualize how the "swaying part", but i think its cool. An adventure experience for just moving in..
Posted 2011-02-11 12:17 AM (#130112 - in reply to #129955) Subject: RE: goose neck hitch extenders for short beds
Member
Posts: 9
Originally written by camper101 on 2011-02-09 1:05 AM
Originally written by kcrazzmatazz on 2011-02-04 8:00 AM
None of the trucks I'm looking at currently have gooseneck cheap hitches installed, so I would be doing that myself.
The only issue I've had with my trailer was in my own driveway. The way the barn and the house were configured, the only way to turn the trailer around was to swing it around our rather narrow turnaround doing an Austin Powers 17 point turn (due to the location of our pasture fences and an telephone pole, it was impossible to back the trailer into our driveway). We are in the process of moving, so that won't be an issue...but I still don't want to have another blond moment like that!
I can't visualize how the "swaying part", but i think its cool. An adventure experience for just moving in..
i also thinking to buy that gooseneck hitches..
i visit yesterday my cousin and i just remeber this post..it just make me smile..a wonderful experience it is..
Posted 2011-02-11 8:43 AM (#130121 - in reply to #129771) Subject: RE: goose neck hitch extenders for short beds
Location: Central Arkansas
I don't think it's a good idea to set the tongue weight back that far behind the axles on a bigger trailer. But, I would do it in a pinch on a infrequent short run with a non LQ 2 or 3 horse.
Back in the early 80's, I had a second GN hookup BEHIND the ball over my axles. It was for a 4H GN that had the ball ON the trailer kind of like a kingpin, but it was a ball. That trailer weighed the same as the other, yet being behind the axle like that really beat us to death going down the interstate. I hated the way it pulled and was glad to see it go. Maybe, if it had been up over the axles, it would have pulled normally. I remember that k-thump, k-thump, k-thump well!
goose neck hitch extenders for short beds
