Just got home from a 2-month overseas trip and was overjoyed that the truck fired right up the first time [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
I've been having an internet discussion with some friends about trailering our Jeeps out to Moab. My current bumper hitch and trailer will tote only one Jeep, and given the distance/fuel costs it makes sense for us to use gooseneck trailers that will handle two Jeeps.
Given that I want to buy a truck camper one of these days it seems I would need to install a hitch where the ball can be easily removed or hidden. Any recommendations or comments on the best product would be very welcome.
I've also been informed (by people who should know) that it's wise to have the hitch installed professionally.
I liked my Reese Goose(but it had rails in the bed). BW turnover is one I hear alot about.
You should be able to install most any of these types of hitches with basic hand tools, a Saturday afternoon, and maybe some friends(if needed).
__________________ THE ORIGINAL "FREIGHTRAIN" 1959 B61 Mack...15 gears of twin stick, black smoke huffin' fun 1967 F100 LB....352 ci/4 spd, nice daily runner 1969 F100 SB.....428 cubic inches of dual quad, 4 speed terror. 1964 Galaxie......390 cubic inches of blown big block...with a 4 speed 1964 Galaxie Country Sedan Wagon.....428 ci and 5 speeds of wheelstanding race car 40ft Haulmark trailer..for the car, quad, AND kitchen sink FOKISD MEMBER ATHS MEMBER....old trucks RULE!
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Just got home from a 2-month overseas trip and was overjoyed that the truck fired right up the first time [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
I've been having an internet discussion with some friends about trailering our Jeeps out to Moab. My current bumper hitch and trailer will tote only one Jeep, and given the distance/fuel costs it makes sense for us to use gooseneck trailers that will handle two Jeeps.
Given that I want to buy a truck camper one of these days it seems I would need to install a hitch where the ball can be easily removed or hidden. Any recommendations or comments on the best product would be very welcome.
I've also been informed (by people who should know) that it's wise to have the hitch installed professionally.
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Installed a B&W Turnover gooseneck in my brother's F250. Took us about 2 hours to get it all in and it works great.
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2004 F350 Crew XLT 4x4 long box, SRW, 3.73 Gears
Bone Stock
I've had a lot of gooseneck hitches over the years, from home-made jobs to Reese. By far the best one I've ever had is the one I'me using now, the B&W Turn-over ball. I can't say as to how easy they are to install, as it was installed by a previous owner, but after using everything else, I'll never go back to another.
The Reese hitch was nice enough. It had a couple of heavy iron handles that you pulled up, then tilted the ball up and locked it in place. It was certainly heavy-duty enough for the work, but it didn't give you a flat bed when you needed it. Even worse, after hauling dirt in the bed, the hitch would jam up requiring me to lube it constantly if I was hauling any fine material like dirt or sand in the bed. The B&W turnover ball doesn't suffer from those problems, gives you a completely flat bed, locks securely, and is very easy to change. You can even get a fifth-wheel hitch that can slide into the ball receiver if you want one of those travel trailers in the future.
You don't need a pro to install this one. You can DIY if you have two hands and are reasonably handy. But any RV or trailer or hitch outfit that sells these should be able to install it for you if you don't like to sweat and stink.
But check the "internet" price compared to the installed price from your local source. You might decide a bit of sweating and stinking would be worth it. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Here's one internet source = $310 plus about $30 to $40 shipping: http://www.tandrtrailer.com/hitches/
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My Sierra Blanca is a '99.5 PSD CrewCab hot-rod Towing Machine! BTS tranny; TurboRamAir intake and 4" stainless turbo-back exhaust; DP-Tuner tunes flashed into an Edge Evolution tuner; ISSPRO EV gauges and TTM; AIC; SP-Diesel exhaust brake and torque converter controller. I special-ordered it new and plan to drive it until it quits.
this is a thread I started when I installed my hitch LINK
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2006 f350 King Ranch Dark Copper with shift on the fly 4x4, power moonroof, tow boss, tow command, fx4, 6 disc cd, adjustable pedals, dual altenators, upfitters switches, reverse aid sensors, snowplow package.
SOLD 89 F250 7.3 IDI XLT extended cab 2wd 5spd 450 read end and springs, set up for towing. 220,000 miles, my first diesel. Tows my race car like there is nothing behind it. lives in Kingston NH
I had a B&W installed in my new 2008, by the dealer who is also a B&W &rep. They had to lower the exhaust a few inches in order to make it fit and not rattle--said this was peculiar to the 2008 model and said the necesary part came with the hitch. Hitch is great but I hate the lowered exhaust pipe. I am taking it back to see what can be done to remedy this. Any suggestions before I take it back?
Thanks.
Ron
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2008 F-350, 4X4, DRW, Crew Cab, 172" WB, 6.4L V8 Diesel, TorqueShift 5 Speed Auto Trans, 4.10 Ratio Limited Slip Axle, Lariat, King Ranch Package (Power Sliding Rear Window, Powerscope Trailer Tow Mirrow, Memory Group, Adjustable Gas / Brake Pedal, Dual Captain's/ RR Bench Leather, Camel, Heated Seats, Lower Accent Two Tone Paint--Oxford White Clearcoat/Pueblo Gold CC Accent), 13,000# GVWR Package, 4X4 Off-Road Package/Skid Plates, Camper Package, Power Slide Moon Roof, 6 CD Audiophile Radio System, Electronic Shift On the Fly, SIRIUS Sat. Radio, Keyless Remote Entry, Reverse Vehicle Sensor, Tow Command System/Trailer Brake Controller, LineX XTRA Bed Liner-Black, LineX XTRA Diamond Plate In-Bed Toolbox-Black, B&W Turnover Ball Gooseneck Hitch.
RSR FARM
RON WILLIAMS PERFORMANCE HORSES
THE JACALYST
2004 AQHA DUN REINING STALLION
(Hes a Rascal Jac X Hollys Ms Dolly)
KVOM -- I have the B & W Turnover ball in my truck. It is a really good quality product that performs as advertises. You will like this set up. I have pulled up to 23,000 pounds on mine with no trouble whatsoever. The hitch is rated to 30K pounds.
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Black/05/F350/XLT/CC/LWB/FX4/SRW/3.73/6.0L PSD/ TorqShift/Updated TBC/Upfitter Switches/SEIC Mod/Diesel Site Coolant Filter/Fumoto Valve/ITEC HFCM Drain Plug/Bilstein Shocks/BFG A/T 28565R18/Built September of 2004
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Great info. I guess the install part isn't too difficult.
I have the stock(?) bedliner, which is something of a PITA to take out. How large a hole will I need to cut into the bedliner after the hitch is in?
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We took my brother's liner out with little effort. Used the same hole saw on the liner that we did on the bed. From underneath the truck we drove a long sharpened rod up through the "ball hole" so we new where center was for the hole in the bed liner. You will also need to drill the 4 holes for the retractable chain "handles." Other advice. Be sure to get a can of spray primer as you will be making a few cuts in the metal of the truck. We used the spray on "under coating" that is available for everywhere we cut and drilled.
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2004 F350 Crew XLT 4x4 long box, SRW, 3.73 Gears
Bone Stock
Been using Reese/Drawtite in my other trucks and they worked well. I put a B&W in this truck and it does make a very neat installation, plus you can get the companion hitch if you ever need a 5th wheel. I watched the installation and I did not see them lower the exhaust pipe, that may be required on the DRW.
OP, another VOTE for the B&W turnover, I love mine! (There are also many goosenect trailers on ebay, I have a 32' Kaufmann that I found on there, ended up only paying 3300 for it. I think it was a pretty good deal.
Not for sale even though I have another 42' wedge now!
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Jim T.*48* SLAPS Co-Founder, 30.8 yrs RETIRED UAW 6/01/06, Now a full time Technician in the MOANG 12/10/07 My pics! and my New'03 Dually pics!, Charcoal Grey, Black and Grey interior, Black leather seats, Van Turbo/ATS ported housing/WW, Quad "A" pillar pod with Carbon Fiber series AUTO METER Gauges, FUMOTO Valve. BTS BUBBA" /TS 4pos chip, 4" Turbo back straight pipe/stainless 5" tip 131st F/W St.Louis MoAirNatlGuard We're losing the F-15s. BUT BEING HANDED THE KEYS TO THE B-2 BOMBERS at WHITMAN AFB, Near Kansas City, MO.!! We are Lindburghs OWN! Suffering from *PMS,, "Powerstroke mod syndrome"
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