Goose Neck Hitch
#21
05-30-2007, 08:37 AM
Diesel Bomber
first pickups we had with a ball in them were way back in 1973 when we built the first gooseneck trailer around this area. we used half inch plate alittle wider than the frame and 16" front to back and it sat on top of the bed floor with four bolts and box to frame spacers. my brother wore the ball flat with all the towing he did with his 84 pickup never bent anything. not saying it couldn't happen. next one i do is going to be a plate on the floor again. always bought some fancy hida ball thing and never put it away.
Andy
#23
05-30-2007, 09:30 AM
On a rigid type hitch such as a gooseneck or bumper hitch, it's better to bolt it in. Bolts leave room for flex and these hitches get alot of jerking action while in use. Over time this will stress the metal around welds. 5th wheel type hitches are ok to weld in because the plate at the hitch point stays mobile and absorbs that motion.
I would also dissagree on the use of grade 8 bolts. I know it seems like you would want the strongest bolts available, but in this case grade 8 are to stiff and which makes them brittle when flexed. They tend to snap under pressure. If you look at any hitch on the market, from the cheapest to the most expensive they all use grade 5 to allow for this.
These are just my personal opinions and observations from being in the trailer business, I don't have any fancy articles or studies to referance proving my case.
I would also dissagree on the use of grade 8 bolts. I know it seems like you would want the strongest bolts available, but in this case grade 8 are to stiff and which makes them brittle when flexed. They tend to snap under pressure. If you look at any hitch on the market, from the cheapest to the most expensive they all use grade 5 to allow for this.
These are just my personal opinions and observations from being in the trailer business, I don't have any fancy articles or studies to referance proving my case.
The following 2 users liked this post by Uncle Bubba:
2001shrtbedcummins (05-30-2007),
DazedandConfused (05-30-2007)
#24
05-30-2007, 10:43 AM
I would also dissagree on the use of grade 8 bolts. I know it seems like you would want the strongest bolts available, but in this case grade 8 are to stiff and which makes them brittle when flexed. They tend to snap under pressure. If you look at any hitch on the market, from the cheapest to the most expensive they all use grade 5 to allow for this.
#26
05-31-2007, 09:02 PM
#28
06-01-2007, 08:22 AM
