A Guide to Your Gooseneck Trailer
When the needs of businesses, ranches, and farms change with the economy and growth, it is not uncommon for towing needs to change as well. When payload capacity exceeds the limits of tongued trailers, the obvious upgrade will be to a gooseneck trailer package.
The first and obvious difference is where the trailer hitch attaches to the pickup, but that is just the beginning. Here are some interesting facts about gooseneck trailer hitches.
Gooseneck Trailer Connections
This trailer gets its name from the shape of the trailer’s connection. Straight-tongued trailers attach to a hitch connected to the frame at the rear bumper. The gooseneck trailer connection rises above the bumper and curves downward to attach to a ball on the pickup’s bed.
The arch rises above the side rails of the pickup, so the curve is dramatic, looking like a goose’s arched neck. Since the connection rises above the truck’s sides, the truck and trailer duo turn very efficiently.
Of course, a ball attached directly to the pickup bed would not be adequately secured to haul a trailer under cargo. A sturdy plate is welded to the truck’s bed frame, and the hitch is connected to the plate, either with bolts or other connectors.
Gooseneck Trailer Hitch Choices
There are three basic types of gooseneck hitches:
- Puck Hitches. Pickups with a factory-equipped truck bed prepared for gooseneck use employ a “puck” system. Caps cover holes through the bed, which accept removable hitch connections. This keeps the pickup configuration very versatile. Each brand of pickup has a specific attachment.
- Traditional Hitches. Pickups not factory-equipped for gooseneck use require an aftermarket installation similar to the puck system. A plate is attached to the truck frame under the bed, and the hitch connection is bolted to the plate/frame.
- 5th Wheel Hitches. The 5th wheel option is a ready solution whenever bigger and heavier loads are required. Like the traditional hitch, 5th-wheel hitches require a plate to be attached to the truck frame beneath the pickup bed. A 5th-wheel hitch bolted to the plate is raised above the surface of the pickup bed. The 5th-wheel tongue connection is very different from other gooseneck tongues; they are incompatible.
Advantages of Gooseneck Trailer Options
- Gooseneck connections are very stable and secure
- The turn radius for the gooseneck trailers/trucks is very tight, making this solution beneficial in tight spaces.
- Gooseneck trailers can safely haul more than ball hitch trailers, up to 30,000 lbs.
- Gooseneck connections do not protrude from the bumper.
- Some gooseneck connections are removable or retractable, diversifying the use of the truck bed.
Disadvantages of Gooseneck Trailer Options
- Some hitch configurations require custom modifications to the bed and usually require professional installation. This may require planning and scheduling for installation.
- Gooseneck connections are not universal; brands and applications often make a difference in the ease of installation.
- Finding the “sweet spot” often requires installation experience to be perfect. (The plate needs to be welded between 2” and 4” in front of the rear axle for the best results.)
Upgrading the towing capability of the trailer requires upgrading the towing capacity of the vehicle connected to the trailer. The owner’s manual or the local dealership can determine the towing capacity of existing trucks and potential vehicle purchases.
Shopping for a Gooseneck Trailer?
Let Trailer Wheel and Frame Help You Determine Which Gooseneck Trailer is Right For Your Needs
Trailer Wheel and Frame has one of the largest inventories of Gooseneck Trailer and trailer accessories in the industry. Call us today at 281-931-7777 and let our Gooseneck Trailer experts assist.
