Gooseneck Hitch

[Uncle Wally]

I have been looking for a gooseneck hitch now for a couple weeks and am looking for a little input as to what others have found as issues.

My requirements:
-Removable/flip over/hiding ball (I still use the bed for other stuff)
-No welding on my truck frame
-Wife proof <<laughes>>

The one I like the most is a Cody Hitch. The reason being that the hole in the box for the ball is the only hole that gets knocked out. It's a little larger than others, but that is for the safety chains. They have a goofy double 'L' shape to them and they go right into the hitch near the ball. The only thing I'm not sure about is whether the ball is removable or not. I have not found a dealer that will sell this setup up here in MN. Seems kinda strange. Another added plus is that it has the highest tongue weight ratings I have seen.

Hide-a-goose: I like the idea of not having to climb into the bed several times. My only concern is corrosion resistance. They use a ton of chemicals/salt on the roads up here and the last thing I want to deal with is a rusty ball that is stuck in either the up or down position.

B&W: It's a hideaway setup, but you crawl into the bed twice when you want to hook up and run.

Any other advice or comments? It's always appreciated.

Thanks,
Waldo

[conway]

try www.unagoose.com (http://www.unagoose.com)

[SatchMax]

I think you would like the B&W hitch. I have one and if you want to put the the fifth wheel hitch in the B&W has one that will work with it. It is very stout and I think the price is in line with the others.
SatchMax
Lubbock, Texas

[cowboywildbill]

I have a B&W hitch and love it. I tow our 34 ft. Fifth Wheel with a Gooseneck adapter. It bolts onto the trailer and I pull it on the goosenck ball just like a goose neck trailer. It tows better now than it did when I used the fifth wheel hitch in the truck bed. And believe it or not it is easier to hook up and my bed doesn't have that big fifth wheel steel hogging up my bed. But if you want the fifthwheel, B&W makes one that fits into the little square spot in the hitch. NO messy rails to catch dirt and stuff, like my reese set up did. Good luck and drive safe.

[BozDMAX]

I also love my B&W. I purchased mine almost 3 years ago. Installed myself (kind of hurts to drill that 3" hole into a brand new bed, but the install instructions are great and I did not have any trouble getting it done.

They had some paint problems about then and they replaced the underbed hitch without a question. About a year later the Companion Hitch has some paint delaminating so I stopped by the factory and they replaced that hitch as well. They now do all of their painting in-house (powdercoat) and can control things much better. A while back they also redesigned the floor-plates of the Companion (5th Wheel) hitch so that the plates are wider and span the Chevy bed undulations/creases better.

The mounting is about as solid and strong as you can get: When I first bought the Wells-Cargo, I had it hooked to the ball and hadn't quite figured the release system out. My son noticed I had raised the back of the truck OFF the ground while raising the trailer with the front landing gear. Oops...

I've not tried pulling the 5er with the ball alone because I use a V-shaped tool box in the rear of the bed and it is set up to clear the standard 5th wheel hitch and not a gooseneck post.

Good system with a pile of options to do other things.

[Turbine Doc]

try looking at a PUTNAM LOCK & Load 3 hr install, ball is protected from elements, spring loaded pops up out of the bed www.putnamhitch.com (http://www.putnamhitch.com) can be alo adapted to take a 5th wheel

Link to the GN http://www.putnamhitch.com/Gooseneck/gooseneck.htm

[Rilo]

You might also want to look at http://www.popuphitch.com/. I have one of their hitch balls and I love it.

Rilo

[docl]

Look at Una-Goose http://www.unagoose.com/

[ZDPDVM]

I will 2nd what everyone else says about the B&W. I have only had mine for a few months but I really like it.

[cos]

Ive got to agree with so many others... I abuse my B&W and it stands up great! I'd gladly purchase again.

[Jim Brzozowski]

I have a B & W, works great. Sure you have to get in the bed of the truck to get it ready and then to hook up the safety chains, but your not going to run without the safety chains are you? Besides you know for sure what the hitch is rated for and can get most any local guy with tools to install it for you. I've installed all of mine myself. Not that difficult, just follow the directions. In fairness to the other suppliers, I haven't used your hitch so I can't comment on yours.

[Scooby]

I got the B&W hitch after reading these posts.It installed easily, and works great.