Gooseneck Hitch – What To Look For

The venerable Gooseneck hitch has been around for awhile, and you've probably seen one if you've seen a horse trailer. [I:http://motorcaravanworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/JimArmstrong0.jpg]The gooseneck hitch is a fairly good description of the way the trailer hitch looks. The Gooseneck design takes advantage of the pickup truck's bed combined with trailers designed to be towed by a pickup: The overhanging part of these trailers can now be hooked to a hitch in the pickup truck bed..

Considered Class V and above trailer hitches, the goosenecks have the ability to haul up to thirty thousand pounds. In comparison, Class I and II trailer hitches can pull up to only 3500 pounds, and Class III and IV – 10,000 pounds. Gooseneck hitches often use a conventional hitch ball system to attach the trailer, even though goosenecks are not installed on the bumper.

The hitch most people are familiar with is the one with a hitch ball and attached to the truck's rear bumper, often beefed up by being welded or bolted to the truck's rear frame. However, gooseneck and fifth wheel hitches both connect to the bed of the truck of a pickup truck, instead of its bumper. The gooseneck hitch makes use of a hitch ball that comes from the hitch frame, which is bolted to the frame of the truck. Then the arched arm of the trailer hitch locks in place on the hitch ball.

The two things that make the gooseneck a popular choice are it's high strength and capability to make tighter turns with the trailer. The trailer's tighter turning ability is a huge benefit and is due to the fact that the turning point of the trailer is in the bed of the pickup truck instead of on or near the truck's bumper.

The installation of the gooseneck hitch can be a little involved as you have to remove the pickup truck's bed in order to attach the hitch frame to the frame of the pickup. With the bed of the truck removed, the hole in the bed is measured and drilled and/or cut so that when it's replaced on the truck frame, the hitch ball rises thru the bed. Finally, the truckbed is re-attached, with the ball hitch poking up by way of the drilled hole in the bed of the truck.

Gooseneck trailer hitches are awesome for hauling horse trailers, camping trailers and other odd shaped trailers. And being able to turn much tighter is a great advantage not to be overlooked. Although a bit labor-intensive to install, the gooseneck hitch is very stable and secure once installed.

Jim Armstrong has been writing unique automotive articles for years. Find out more interesting info about the gooseneck hitch and the Reese Hitch now.

categories: trailer hitches,trailers,recreational vehicles,automotive,cars