Gooseneck Hitch

Gooseneck hitches are considered Class V hitches and above - which means they have the capability to tow up to 30 thousand pounds. (Class I & II hitches are good for thirty-five hundred pounds of trailer weight, Class III & IV can pull 10,000 pounds - which are usually weight-distributing hitches. )  Goosenecks are not installed at the rear of a truck like regular trailer hitches, but often use a similar hitch ball system to attach the trailer to the hitch.

The hitches that most persons are familiar with are usually those that extend from the rear of the truck that is doing the pulling. However, gooseneck and fifth wheel hitches both connect to the bed of a pickup truck, instead of its bumper. Gooseneck's utilize a hitch ball that rises up from the hitch frame, which is attached to the truck's bed. The arched arm from the trailer then locks into place onto the hitch ball.

Two features of a gooseneck hitch make it popular:  Folks prefer the additional strength in its pulling capability and because of the nature of their design, they are able to make tighter turns than other hitch and trailer options.  The tighter turning radius is a killer feature and it's due to the fact that the hitch is connected further into the bed of the truck than trailers connected at the very rear of the truck.

Installation of a gooseneck hitch means taking off the truck's bed and attaching some hardware to the pickup's frame.  After this, the place where the ball hitch part of the gooseneck is supposed to go through the bed of the truck is measured and marked on the bed, and a hole big enough for the ball is drilled.  Finally, the truckbed is reattatched, with the ball hitch poking up through the drilled hole in the bed.

Gooseneck trailer hitches are great for pulling horse trailers, camping trailers and other odd shaped trailers.  The tighter turning radius is a great feature also.  They may be a bit difficult to install, but they are extremely secure once attached to the truck frame and bed.