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