| When you mention trailer hitch most people think | | | | There are pros and cons to both gooseneck |
| of the ball style and although common for some | | | | trailers and 5th Wheels. A gooseneck has a tube |
| types of hauling the gooseneck trailer hitch is | | | | that hangs down from under the bunk which |
| much stronger and much more maneuverable. | | | | hooks to a heavy duty 2 5/16" ball mounted in |
| Gooseneck trailers are very common in trailers | | | | the truck's bed. It takes up very little room but if |
| used to haul livestock. | | | | you want to be able to use the entire deck you |
| In fact it's a common occurrence on for horse | | | | can buy a fold down ball set. |
| trailers. This style of hitch is found in the truck | | | | The disadvantage to t the gooseneck is the hook |
| bed above the rear axle. The trailer is then | | | | up can be a bit of a pain. You need to position the |
| secured to the hitch. Here's some things you | | | | ball directly under the hitch which isn't that easy. |
| should know about this style of hitch. | | | | And you also have to crawl into the box to hook |
| 1. Goosenecks are one of the strongest hitches | | | | up the safety chains which can be quite an |
| on the market with the capability of handling up to | | | | annoyance. |
| 30,000 pounds. | | | | A 5th wheel besides being the strongest hitch |
| 2. They are much more maneuverable allowing | | | | system is probably the easiest to hook up and |
| the driver to make sharper turns than with a ball | | | | use. The 5th wheel hangs under the bunk and |
| hitch. This is because of the hitches location. | | | | there's a larges steel plate with a 2 inch pin that |
| 3. You will have to drill a hole in the middle of your | | | | almost aligns itself. All you have to do is back up |
| truck bed for proper installation. | | | | and get close and it will literally connect itself. You |
| 4. The ball of the hitch has to rise above the | | | | don't have to crawl around hooking up safety |
| truck bed so that you can fasten your trailer | | | | chains infact there aren't any. A 5th wheel is really |
| properly. | | | | a one man band. Two can actually be a crowd. |
| 5. A gooseneck is relatively easy to remove | | | | The disadvantage is that it costs a fair bit and it's |
| when not in use and some styles also fold flat in | | | | a bit of a truck bed hog taking up almost half of |
| the bed. | | | | your bed. There is a removable type but it is |
| 6. Make sure your truck is capable of handling the | | | | heavy and awkward. |
| trailer weight. | | | | No matter what type of hitch you are using |
| A gooseneck hitch is not a fifth wheel although it | | | | hooking up your trailer and riding off into the |
| is commonly mistaken as such. Although similar to | | | | sunset is somewhat of a myth. There are many |
| a fifth wheel they are actually second in towing | | | | regulations that you need to understand and |
| capacity. The gooseneck is actually more difficult | | | | comply with before you begin towing whether |
| to install than a fifth wheel and their functionality is | | | | you are using a gooseneck hitch, a 5th wheel |
| quite limited. | | | | hitch or regular ball hitch. |
| A gooseneck cannot be installed in all trucks. The | | | | Gooseneck trailers are a great pick for livestock |
| truck you choose must meet the weight | | | | and if you want to enjoy some recreational time |
| requirements for the trailer you will be towing. | | | | consider 5th wheel trailers - both smart choices. |