How to Install Gooseneck Hitch

Last Updated on July 5, 2021

Gooseneck towing is an easy solution for carrying higher loads. It gives an effortless driving experience and the chances of breaking the chassis are lesser than any other towing. The gooseneck hitch directly distributes the weight to the whole trailer of your vehicle. Thus, swinging away or nasty jerks are minimized easily.

However, if you need a commercial supply or any other carrying solution, then you will probably find the best opinion is installing a gooseneck hitch. The gooseneck hitch is mainly a ball and a coupler connection that holds the trailer. It remains established in the middle of the trailer of your mini truck or pickup truck. Well, installing a gooseneck hitch can be a burden without proper knowledge and guidance about it. Don’t worry. I am here to help you out.

Today in this article, I will guide you and teach you about how a gooseneck hitch works and how to successfully install it.

But before the installing guide, it is recommended to know some common things about gooseneck hitch. Let’s have a look at these.

Choosing the Right One

Well, there are three different types of gooseneck hitch you can opt for. Those are

• Gooseneck puck system kit
• Traditional gooseneck hitch
• 5th wheel gooseneck hitch

Here in this section, try to measure some more components like the costing, installation guide or professional support and gross trailer capacity according to your work.

How Does it Work

After selecting which type of hitch and which type of job you prefer, go to the nearby workshop and purchase your one. The three different types include the same operating mechanism as they distribute the whole weights on the surface of the trailer ( mainly the weight remains on the rear axle and wheels). In fact, you don’t need any weight distribution hitch when you have a gooseneck hitch.

Read Next: Pros & cons of 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter

Detailed Steps to Install a Gooseneck Hitch

Step 01:

First of all, find an empty garage. This work will take a free space. Make clear ground underneath the rear part of your vehicle. Remove the wheels that will give you more space and access to the truck bed. You will find some hitch that needs trimming in the bed or cutting a portion. In this case, go through the user manual of your gooseneck hitch type and know information about this step.

Step 02:

After the initial step, you need to use a measuring tape to mark where you have to drill a hole for the ball placement. The ideal position is the front of the rear axle of your truck. The hole will be at the center of the body, equal distance from each wheel. After the initial marking, do the measurement again and again. I prefer to do the math at least three times as you are going to drill a hole there.

Step 03:

Then, use a heavy-duty shaw to mark the hole. After making the area selection, clear the hole by melting and cutting down with the help of a blue torch. There will be rough edges that may cut or harm you in the next steps. So take care of the edges with sandpapers or some grindings.

Step 04:

Now put the cross-arm bracket from beneath the truck bed. Use the blank s[pace from the wheel cut of the side body frame. There will be wirings and brake lines. Do not break down those, as well as don’t make any scratches on the body of the truck.

After that, use a wrench and rotate the cross-arm to put it in a proper orientation while it is in a perfect position. It may be parallel or perpendicular according to different models. Read the manual again. After inserting the rear cross-arm bracket, now position and place the front cross-arm bracket defined specifically for your model in the manual.

Step 05:

In this step, you will need to insert the gooseneck center. So, place the gooseneck center section by lifting it up from beneath the bed. Try to get an assist because solo working may be difficult when you are doing it for the first several times. Also, it is much heavier and perfect placement is required. Once you place it successfully, then attach the necessary hardware and secure it with the cross-arm brackets.

Step 06:

Now attach the side plate brackets to the cross-arm brackets. There is dedicated hardware provided with your purchase; use those in this step. Bolt the wheels and wells further. You may need some side plate brackets to install on both sides of the driving and passenger seat.

Step 07:

Then, use the hex bolts and carriage bolts on the platform. Attach the bolts using the wrench and use washers and nuts from the underside of the truck bed. You need to torque all the bolts. The torque value mainly stays around 150, but still, read the user manual.

Step 08

In this step, you need to drill some holes for attaching the safety chain and u shaped bolts. The pre-installed gooseneck center section gives the place to drill. Use a drill machine and simply make some holes about 3-4 inches.

Then use the safety chain attachments with a washer and nuts.

Step 09

After that, unscrew the ball hitch from the gooseneck hitch. From the top side, slide the ball through the gooseneck hitch platform and lock it with a locking pin. now attach the necessary hardware to fasten and make it secure. Check whether the ball is operating or not.

If it is yes, then install the ball trim ring with your hitch. Then, recheck each and everything from below and upper of the bed. If you find everything looks great, then attach the wheels and remove the hydraulic jack.

So for the first several times, installing a gooseneck hitch may look complicated and actually, it is a little tricky. Take expert guidelines and professional bits of help. But remember, it is not impossible. Read the steps again and again and proceed slowly. Recheck everything after passing every step. Before everything, choose the perfect setup and necessary tools and equipment. I hope now you know how gooseneck hitches work and able to install your gooseneck hitch without any hassle.