Installing a Gooseneck Hitch - Diesel Forum

ljack10270 · 12-24-2005, 10:00 PM

Is it difficult to install a gooseneck hitch? Im debating with my son whether or whether not to go ahead and install the hitch ourselves. He thinks if we have somebody cut the holes in the bed the rest will be easy. What do you guys think? Should we go ahead and install it or just pay a hitch place to do it?

deeretrac · 12-24-2005, 10:25 PM

what kind of hitch is it?

my B&M was not hard to install. had no help took about 3 hours.
worst part was spending the $30 for the hole saw(not to mention the hitch price).

i dont now how you and your son handle tools but if you can drill and measure the holes the hard part is over.

the whole job is not that hard.

Rob

MR176 · 12-24-2005, 10:26 PM

I installed a Cody Hitch in my 2000 and a B&W in my 2005. Not real hard to do, both were about a 2-3 hour job with one assistant. Just make sure to measure twice before you drill.

ljack10270 · 12-24-2005, 10:46 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Just make sure to measure twice before you drill.

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh boy.. Wouldent that be a horrible screw up.. measuring wrong... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img]
Im looking at the Drawtite Hidaway hitches

PSD PAC · 12-25-2005, 12:17 PM

Take a look at Diamond Hitches - I've got one on my truck and it's GREAT. Similar idea as a turn over ball, but you don't have to make a big cut in the deck. You mount the hitch similarly to other goosenecks, but the ball can be taken out of the receiver, inverted, and dropped back in the receiver where it sits flush to the bed. Then you can haul sheet goods with no problem.

If I had to do it again, I'd get another Diamond Hitch. for me it ran about $400, and a buddy installed it for a pair of Carhartts.

ljack10270 · 12-25-2005, 04:01 PM

Wow for 400 that better be a hell of a g/n hitch. How big of a cut does it have?

PSD PAC · 12-26-2005, 03:08 PM

The hole in the deck is probably 4" (my truck's in the shop getting a new turbo, so can't go measure). But that's the ONLY hole in the deck - and when you pull the ball out, invert it, and drop it back in, the deck is flat. It's a very unobtrusive install. You can see part of it in the rear wheel wells (as you would with most any gooseneck), but of all of them that I've seen, this is definitely my favorite.

I take that back, it's not the ONLY hole - there are 4 small holes to accommodate the retainers from your trailer. They lift out of the deck, then drop back down when not in use.

Check 'em out - www.diamondhitchinc.com. The list price has increased, but it's still worth it in my opinion.

ljack10270 · 12-26-2005, 03:15 PM

Alright. Thanks.

Brian_W · 12-26-2005, 09:54 PM

I just put a B&W turnover in my truck today. It wasn't bad would have been easier with two people.

ljack10270 · 12-26-2005, 10:09 PM

How much did your hitch cost, and how long did it take you to install?

ljack10270 · 12-27-2005, 01:29 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The hole in the deck is probably 4" (my truck's in the shop getting a new turbo, so can't go measure). But that's the ONLY hole in the deck - and when you pull the ball out, invert it, and drop it back in, the deck is flat. It's a very unobtrusive install. You can see part of it in the rear wheel wells (as you would with most any gooseneck), but of all of them that I've seen, this is definitely my favorite.

I take that back, it's not the ONLY hole - there are 4 small holes to accommodate the retainers from your trailer. They lift out of the deck, then drop back down when not in use.

Check 'em out - www.diamondhitchinc.com. The list price has increased, but it's still worth it in my opinion.

[/ QUOTE ]
The only advantage I see to Draw Tite is that they have a limited lifetime warrerty

TBlough · 12-27-2005, 08:54 AM

I installed my Reese remov-a-ball in about 4 hours. Most of that was because I'm anal about salt/water intrusion so I applied Butyl tape to all faying surfaces before bolting together, and urethane caulking to all bolt holes. Impact wrench certainly helps in getting all the big bolts snugged down.

Cheers,

Tom

Brian_W · 12-27-2005, 12:55 PM

I paid $300 for the B&W plus the $25 for the 4" hole saw. It took me about 6 hours, most of it just getting started and then having to put everything away to go do something else. It would have been easier if the underside of the truck wasn't all wet and muddy too.

ljack10270 · 12-27-2005, 03:59 PM

Hehe, if it only takes 3 hrs of labor from a regular person, aint no way in hell it should take 5 hrs for a hitch place to install. They told me they was going to charge me almost 400 just to install it. They charge by the Hr and said it would about 5 hrs to do it. I guess that includes their lunch break, doughnut break, bathroom break, and lounge time [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

4x4Mark · 12-29-2005, 03:53 PM

Agreed. about 2.5 hours in my driveway, on my back, by myself with the B&W. Hardest part was just getting everything aligned, tightened up, and torqued down. Scariest part was cutting that 4" hole in my new truck. No regrets though.

Mark