New to the world of goosenecks..... hitch setup, advice, etc. needed... - Diesel Forum

JasonZ · 03-01-2005, 01:51 PM

I've pulled an enclosed tag car trailer for quite some time, but have finally stepped up to a gooseneck enclosed. I have purchased a 53' Haulmark Edge that I will be picking up on Thursday. I bought a 25k Putnam hitch, that will be here tomorrow. Any general advice on installing the hitch, etc? Is there only one "place" to install it or is positioning left to the installer?

Any ins and outs you guys have learned would be great... just looking to save myself time and headaches. Any input whether it be on the trailer, towing, hitching, or installation are welcome. BTW, I will be pulling with a 2000 2wd CC dually PSD. Thanks in advance.

StuMas · 03-01-2005, 05:49 PM

I think if you take it to a reputable shop then I don't think you need to worry about it being installed properly, them guys can probably install it in there sleep.

roosterdiesel · 03-01-2005, 08:30 PM

The hitch might come with directions. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

My GN ball is 2" in front of the centerline of the axle. I've read where some peoples were installed 4" in front of the centerline.

I'm sure Grumpy Ole Man will be along with a little more info. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

AllStarPSD · 03-02-2005, 11:52 AM

most of those hitches come with good directions, i've never installed a Putnam, but i'm sure it'll be pretty straight forward. i'm assuming you got the Lock & Load hitch, the rep. at Putnam told me you need a 4" hole in the bed. if you don't have a 4" hole saw, you may won't to go ahead and start looking for one, when i bought mine it took awhile to find one. if you can follow directions(i know some of us aren't good at that [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]) you can do it. i would recommend getting a buddy to help hold it in place while putting in the bolts. i found this out the hard way the first time.

i'd mount a 7 way recept. in the bed somewhere ( i mounted mine behind the wheel well on drivers side) i just tapped the wires behind the factory recept. on the bumper. you can buy a fancy adapter that hooks up under the bed somewhere.

thomas

LMJD · 03-02-2005, 12:02 PM

One thing you might do is cut a clean hole and save the piece you cut out. I have a Buyers Hide-a-Ball, had it before they've come out with all these fancy new ones, and it required cutting out about a 10" square of bed floor. When I sold my old truck I did a clean job of gas welding the piece back in, spray can painted the area and you had to look twice to tell there was ever a gooseneck hitch in the bed. Helps with your resale value and you don't have to sell your gooseneck hitch with the truck.

TimMiller · 03-04-2005, 02:07 AM

One good advice is don't run the trailer into the truck, or the truck into the trailer. I can't tell you how many times this has happened.

firefighter9208 · 03-04-2005, 08:07 AM

Also, don't forget to let the tailgate down [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]. This has happened to a few of us [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]. New tailgates are very expensive!!

MudHog · 03-04-2005, 10:27 AM

You should be able to mount the hitch yourself. They come with very detailed instructions (plus you can always ask questions here if needed). If your truck is a long bed, then you'll be able to jacknife the trailer when driving for ease of moving around, they also typically mount the ball further toward the front on a long bed. short beds are a different story and you will have to always watch out of the trailer kissing the cab when jacknife the trialer.

Plug: surely mount you one in your bed. prevents from having to hang the wire over your tailgate.

Tailgate: If you do alot of hooking and unhooking, then you may want to consider a louvered V tailgate. These tailgates can be left up when hooking and unhooking, no need to get out, drop tailgate, back up, lift tailgate, then finish hooking up.

Goosenecks back up differently than a bumper pull too, but they are much better pulling than a bumper pull. Trial and error will teach you the tricks to backing up.

Extra Note: 53' seems awfully long, have you checked your state regulations on total length of rig? LA has a law that the vehicle and trailer can be no longer than roughly 65' (information only, contact your local state police to verify).