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Gooseneck hitch location?

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Indydirtfarmer

11-30-2003 11:22:02

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A post just below this one, got me to thinking. I am about to buy a gooseneck trailer. I will have a hitch installed in my truck. The trailer dealer, and the hitch installer both have their theories on where I need to locate the hitch. What is the "hands on experiences" of a few owners of goosenecks? Do they go directly over the top of the back axle? Slightly ahead? How far ahead? I'm going to haul around 12,000GVW (not including the trucks wieght) on a 2 axle trailer, behind a quad-cab 3/4 ton Dodge Heavy Duty pick up. The trailer I'm leaning towards is a 24', with 5' dovetail. Let's hear some viewpoints. John

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Joel Harman

12-01-2003 17:25:40

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

Since 1986 I have put mine 4"in front of centerline of rear axle. Towed 24' 3 axle flatbed, 16' stock trailer, 20' stock trailer,& 16'flatbed. Most across the scales was 27K.

Truck wheelbase from 120" to 140" both single & dual wheel.

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greenbeanman

12-01-2003 12:32:18

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

Uh, what does the trailer manufacturer recommend?

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Indydirtfarmer

12-01-2003 13:06:08

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Re: Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to greenbeanman, 12-01-2003 12:32:18

I'm looking at several different brands of trailers. One says 2" to 6". Another has a "scale" based on the trucks wheelbase. That translates to 4.25" on my quad cab Dodge w/ 8' bed. I don't take anyones "opinions" as gospel. That includes the manufacturer's. I would rather base my "opinion" on factual results, from gooseneck users. JMHO, John

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Chances R

12-01-2003 07:39:15

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

I place them at 2 to 3 inches in front of center.

my web site

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david val

12-01-2003 05:53:12

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

all i know about goosenecck is only visuals from a visit to the usa a few years, ago, ameriacn movies and internet forums...
isn't there some kind of a standard for the location of the hitch axis by dot or sae or some other such organization? after all, practical experiences and rules of thumb are ok, but this is an engineering stuff and should be calculated with all relevant data present.
david

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Deas Plant.

12-01-2003 00:06:12

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

Hi, Indydirtfarmer. In essence it is no different from a semi-trailer tractor fifth wheel arrangement. You need to get some of the trailer weight forward of the rear axle to counter-balance the tendency to lift the front as the load comes on when you start pulling the trailer.

The lift at the front when pulling is pretty much the same as a farm tractor. It is caused by the pinion pushing down on the crown wheel in the diff. in its efforts to turn the axle against the resistance of the load. This is what causes tractors to rear up under certain circumstances.

Around 6" sounds pretty fair to me but this can vary a bit depending on the load you are pulling, the wheelbase of the towing vehicle, the height above the axle, etc..

Hope this helps.

You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.

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Dell-MN

11-30-2003 17:24:46

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

You got my curiosity up so i put my boots back on and went outside and checked mine. They are both about 6 inches front of dead center on the axel.

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11-30-2003 17:06:41

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

i believe that as long as your bumper does not "hit" the trailer when you turn then it is impossible to set the hitch to far forward. however, the few i have installed was always placed from 3 - 6 inches in front of the axel. always mounted the hitch for the longer/heavier trailers to the 6 inch mark.

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Burlgoat

11-30-2003 16:32:06

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

John,I pull a 24' gooseneck with my one ton Dodge dually before that I pulled it with a 99 3/4 ton Dodge.My hookup was installed by a trailerhitch company.They said the hitch should be installed right over the rear u-joint.I never had any problems and it pulls good.One word of caution on the new Dodges make sure that whoever does the wiring knows what they are doing.good luck & enjoy your new truck. Burlgoat

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Dick L

11-30-2003 16:29:59

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

Installer set mine 7 inches ahead of the center of the rear axle. He said it needed to be that far ahead of the axle to keep the front tires from locking up on a quick stop loaded. Unless you have antilock brakes which I do not have on the old Chevy.

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rustyfarmall

11-30-2003 16:06:57

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

It might make some difference as to the brand of truck, but if you buy a manufactured hitch, as opposed to a shop built unit, the hitch will be engineered to locate the ball in the correct position. I purchased and installed a B&W turnover ball hitch on my 2001 Chevy dually. It came with specific instructions as to where to cut the hole in the bed of the truck. The ball is positioned exactly 6 inches ahead of the rear axle.

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Merle

11-30-2003 15:39:39

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

Indy

I asked the same question a couple of years ago on this forum. I recieved a lot of good advice and the one that made the most common sence to me was. "Mount the ball plumb and on center with the rear U joint." That is what I did and have been very happy with the way my trailer pulls and with the way the weight is distributed.

Good Luck in your placement
Merle

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kraig WY, this isn't gonn

11-30-2003 14:43:55

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

the hitch needs to go 3 or 5 inches infront of the center of the axel, Not 2 or 4. The reason having something to do with the tracking of the trailer. An even number would cause more bouncing then the odd number. I can't explain it but I know it works for me. I've had 4 trucks with goose neck hitches and dumb as it sounds it works. FWIW

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11-30-2003 19:06:35

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Re: Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to kraig WY, this isn't gonn, 11-30-2003 14:43:55

Kraig, You can't be serious. What if you used a metric rule? Would it still have to be even? 6" is .5 feet, a odd number. whoever told you that is full of crap. You may have had good luck with your setup but I don't think it has anything to do with odd or even measurements.

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kraig WY

12-01-2003 07:25:34

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Re: Re: Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Ty, 11-30-2003 19:06:35

Your probably right, kind of like my father use to make me run around the house barefooted in the snow every night, said it would keep me from having cold feet. My feet don't get cold that much but I doubt the barefoot in the snow had anything to do with it. Its just one of those, if it works do it things.

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Mike

11-30-2003 14:34:43

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

I pull a 40' gooseneck with a 1 ton xcab Dodge. Ball is 2'' ahead of the rear axle, and with the airride hitch you hardly know it's behind you.

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thurlow

11-30-2003 13:33:39

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

I'm with cjackson; 2-3 inches ahead. Currently have 2 one-tons with hitches. Did one myself, but the other was done by a local shop who builds trailers and mounts hitches full-time; didn't want to deal with the plastic fuel tank myself.....

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cjackson

11-30-2003 11:38:40

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Re: Gooseneck hitch location? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 11-30-2003 11:22:02

I mount mine 2-3 inches ahead of the rear truck
axle. Someone years ago told me directly over or
behind the axle would make for very poor handling.

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