Guide to the Gooseneck Hitch

If you need to do some heavy towing, a gooseneck hitch is usually what you need. Class V hitches, which include the gooseneck, can handle up to 30,000 pounds. Unlike standard hitches that attach to the back of the tow vehicle, gooseneck and fifth-wheel hitches are anchored to the bed of a pickup truck.

Gooseneck hitches and fifth-wheel hitches are very similar, but gooseneck hitches use a hitch ball as the locking mechanism, while fifth-wheel hitches use a plate.

What is a Gooseneck Hitch?

Gooseneck hitches are named for the long arched "neck" of the trailer hitch that has a resemblance to a gooseneck. Generally speaking, if you want to tow something really heavy, you'll either need a gooseneck hitch or a fifth-wheel hitch. However, gooseneck hitches are popular because they allow you to make a tighter turn with your trailer.

Depending on the model, the average gooseneck hitch costs around $200 and a gooseneck hitch kit may or may not come with it. If not, you'll have to buy one separately. Some are quite easy to install, but again, it depends on the make and model.

How Does a Gooseneck Hitch Work?

If you're looking for a gooseneck hitch, it's important to have the right kind of trailer. Only a specific trailer type can use a gooseneck hitch. Compared to fifth-wheel hitches, gooseneck hitches are less invasive. They install through a gooseneck hitch ball and coupler connection. They're most commonly used with livestock trailers and flatbed trailers.

The coupling mechanism is simple and the ball is lightweight and easy to operate, making them more desirable than fifth-wheel hitches in many cases. The main cons of a gooseneck hitch are that they aren't as stable for tall trailers and can be noisy compared to fifth-wheel hitches.

What Size Ball Is a Gooseneck Hitch?

Trailer hitch balls come in different sizes. For example, a 1-7/8-inch trailer hitch ball is for light trailers, a 2-inch ball is for medium trailers, 2-5/16-inch hitch balls are for heavy trailers, and a 3-inch hitch ball is for gooseneck trailers.

Most trailers that are not gooseneck have a 2-inch ball. These trailer hitch balls have a wide weight capacity of between 3,500 and 12,000 pounds.

How To Install Gooseneck Hitch

The process of gooseneck hitch installation varies depending on the brand. As previously mentioned, some gooseneck hitches come with a complete kit and are easier to install than others. However, if you're not a big DIY person or the installation looks complicated, then it's really best to have a professional do it.

To install a gooseneck hitch, you'll have to make some modifications to your truck bed. The most notable one is a hole in the center of the truck bed to allow the underlying frame to attach to the hitch ball. The hitch assembly is then bolted to the truck's frame in several places, which provides a strong and secure connection to the trailer.

Safety chain anchors are often included with gooseneck hitch assemblies to make sure that the trailer won't come totally loose if the hitch fails for some reason.

Tools to install a gooseneck hitch include things like drills, saws, and wrenches. You can expect to do a lot of measuring as you want to ensure that everything is properly aligned. It's also important to make sure that you aren't damaging any essential areas of your truck during the installation.

How Much Does It Cost To Install a Gooseneck Hitch

A gooseneck hitch install usually takes about two hours to complete, but that's a professional timeframe. If you've never installed one, it will likely take much longer. The price to get one installed professionally depends a lot on the type of hitch you have and what your shop charges for labor. The average price for a top-end gooseneck kit install is usually around $300.

Where Can I Get a Gooseneck Hitch Installed?

If you live in the area, you can get a gooseneck hitch professionally installed at any H&H location. Otherwise, you will usually have to look for a trailer or hitch outfit that does installations. Many truck accessories shops also install gooseneck hitches.

Popular Brands of Gooseneck Hitches

There are a number of popular brands of gooseneck hitches, including B&W, CURT, and Weigh Safe, among many others. At H&H, our two top-selling brands are B&W and CURT. These two brands are consistent leaders in making some of the most reliable hitches available.

B&W Gooseneck Hitch

B&W trailer hitches are some of the best hitches you can get. B&W is also proudly American-made. The company is one of the last remaining American hitch-makers as many rivals have shipped manufacturing over to other countries.

The signature B&W Gooseneck towing system is the Turnoverball. Other products include the OEM Ball & Safety Chain Kit, Extend-a-Goose Coupler, and the Defender Locking Coupler.

CURT Gooseneck Hitch

CURT Manufacturing is another top maker for gooseneck hitches. CURT offers a full line of gooseneck hitches and accessories, including standard gooseneck hitches, installation brackets, and OEM puck system gooseneck options. The latter kit is a great way to quickly and easily equip your truck for towing a gooseneck trailer.

CURT 60692 OEM Puck System 2-5/16 Gooseneck Kit, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Nissan

These work with any Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Nissan, or Ram trucks that have the puck system. For the highest 30,000-pound weight rating, the CURT Double Lock EZr™ gooseneck hitch is the toughest you can get.

Don’t struggle with heavy loads. You can get more mastery over your truck and trailer with the right hitch. Rely on H&H Truck Accessories for a wide selection of gooseneck hitches, fifth-wheel hitches, and any other type of hitch that you might need. Come pick up the perfect part from H&H today.