If you’re asking the question “What is a gooseneck hitch?”, you’re not alone. If you are planning on pulling a bigger RV, horse trailer, cattle trailer, or industrial trailer a gooseneck hitch allows your truck to pull more and pull safely.
What Is A Gooseneck Hitch?
The gooseneck hitch differs from bumper hitches in where the trailer meets the truck. A gooseneck hitch is one where the trailer has an arm that reaches over the tailgate, like a 5th wheel hitch, and then connects directly to a ball that’s located just forward of the read axle.
How Do Gooseneck Hitches Work?
In bumper pull hitches the trailer meets the truck with a stinger that goes into a hitch assembly at the rear of the truck. This puts the full weight of the trailer on the back wheels and axle. Distributing the weight of the trailer between the rear and front axles by moving the connection point into the bed, just ahead of the rear axles will do this.
A gooseneck hitch fits into the Class V hitch class and can support up to 30,000 lbs. This far outperforms bumper pull hitches which max out around 10,000 pounds. When calculating the weight, you’ll need to be able to support the trailer and any of its contents. Things like clothing, food, water, and other supplies add to the gross trailer weight.
How To Choose A Gooseneck Hitch
A big part of being able to tow heavier loads is choosing the right trailer that’s set up for gooseneck hitches. The shape of the arm that connects to the truck reaches over the tailgate and connects to a ball sitting vertically just ahead of the rear axle in the truck bed.
Calculating Gross Trailer Weight
A big part of towing is knowing what your trailer weights when fully loaded. While a gooseneck trailer can handle an incredible amount of weight the weight of a fully loaded trailer with a whole seasons worth of goods adds up fast. In addition to adding up the trailer weight to find the right gooseneck hitch you need to make sure that your truck is up to the challenge. Generally speaking you should have a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck to accommodate the weight that a gooseneck trailer is designed to tow.
Gooseneck Hitch Installation
Most quality gooseneck hitches require installation by trained professionals. Parts of the truck may need to be moved and a hole cut in the bed of the truck to accommodate the new hitch. The location of the gooseneck hitch is critical along with how well it is bolted in. In some case fuel or brake lines must be carefully avoided during installation.
Cost Of Gooseneck Hitches
There are various manufacturers and types of gooseneck hitches. The cost will depend on the type and brand you want for your truck. The cost of a gooseneck hitch is usually around $200 dollars. But depending on the design it may take more or less labor to install. Another factor that can affect the cost of gooseneck hitch installation is the model and brand of the truck you’re driving. Some are easier to install in than others and will take less time.
Gooseneck Hitch Installation
If you’ve got a hobby or business that requires the towing of unusually heavy loads, a gooseneck hitch may be right for you! The team of truck and towing accessory pros at Cliff’s Welding can help you choose the right towing setup for your needs. We proudly offer gooseneck hitch installation at our shop in Mesa, Arizona and offer our services to anyone needing help in the valley.
For more information about gooseneck hitch installation please give us a call at 480-832-0570
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