The “gooseneck” type of trailer hitch is one of those things that you’ve probably seen but didn’t realize what it was you were looking at.The name “gooseneck” actually describes the look of the hitch fairly well. The Gooseneck design takes advantage of the pickup truck’s bed combined with trailers designed to be towed by a pickup: The overhanging part of these trailers can now be hooked to a hitch in the pickup truck bed.

Considered Class V and above trailer hitches, the goosenecks have the ability to haul up to thirty thousand pounds. In comparison, Class I and II trailer hitches can pull up to only 3500 pounds, and Class III and IV – 10,000 pounds. Gooseneck hitches often use a conventional hitch ball system to attach the trailer, even though goosenecks are not installed on the bumper.

The gooseneck hitch often utilizes the hitch ball system for connecting the trailer to itself – similar to conventional hitches. Everyone recognizes the hitch that is connected to the rear bumper of a car or truck. Goosenecks, however, are attached firmly to the frame of the pickup truck through the center of its bed. The hitch frame of the gooseneck is attached to the frame of the truck, and thru a hole in the bed the hitch ball rises. Then the trailer’s arched arm connects to the gooseneck’s hitch ball.

The two things that make the gooseneck a popular choice are it’s high strength and capability to make tighter turns with the trailer. The trailer’s tighter turning ability is a huge benefit and is due to the fact that the turning point of the trailer is in the bed of the pickup truck instead of on or near the truck’s bumper.

The installation of the gooseneck hitch can be a little involved as you have to remove the pickup truck’s bed in order to attach the hitch frame to the frame of the pickup. With the bed of the truck removed, the hole in the bed is measured and drilled and/or cut so that when it’s replaced on the truck frame, the hitch ball rises thru the bed. Finally, the truckbed is re-attached, with the ball hitch poking up by way of the drilled hole in the bed of the truck.

Gooseneck hitches are great for pulling campers, horse trailers, and any trailer designed to take advantage of the ‘overhang’ over a pickup truck’s bed. And the tighter turning ability of the gooseneck makes it a must-have hitch for many situations. They can be difficult to install without getting a kit customized for your truck, but once installed they are extremely secure.

Jim Armstrong has been writing helpful automotive articles for years. Discover more good info about the gooseneck hitch and the Reese Hitch on the website.

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