How to Install a Gooseneck Hitch
A gooseneck hitch puts the load of the trailer slightly above the rear axle, in the tongue, of a pickup bed. That allows standard pickup trucks to carry large and heavy trailers. Compared with a receiver hitch, a gooseneck hitch is more costly and complex to install, but with the increased demand for gooseneck hitches, manufacturers have advanced their design and technology.
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Things You'll Need
- Ball hitch head
- Vehicle-specific gooseneck mounting system
- Rust-inhibitive paint
- Measuring tape
- Transfer punch
- Hole saw
- Metal snips
- Zinc primer
- Paintbrush
- Wrench
- Drill
- Ratchet strap
- Reciprocating saw
- Friend or assistant
Instructions
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1
Paint the exposed plated parts of the gooseneck mounting system and ball hitch head with a light spray of rust-inhibitive paint.
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2
Read all of the manufacturer's warnings and instructions for the mounting system and hitch head.
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3
Measure to the correct placement for the mounting system hole with a measuring tape and mark the center of the 4-inch hole onto the pickup bed with a transfer punch.
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4
Drill a pilot hole through the bed to the heat shield with the hole saw.
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5
Cut the heat shield out at the hole with metal snips.
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6
Drill through the pilot hole, past the opening in the heat shield, through the bed with the hole saw.
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7
Paint the hole edges with a small paintbrush dipped in a zinc primer. Allow the edges to dry for 30 minutes.
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8
Arrange the installation hardware for the hitch head and mounting system, separately, on a a clean dry work surface within reach of the truck.
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9
Slide the front crossbar into place on the top of the frame rails by first sliding it in sideways and then tilting it so that the holes end up toward the bottom of the mounting system.
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10
Remove any under-mounted spare tire by unscrewing the wing nut.
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11
Enlist the help of a friend to get into the bed of the truck and help you align the hitch head position as you position the mounting system from underneath the truck.
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12
Secure the front crossbar to the bed of the pickup with two of the enclosed mounting screws.
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13
Install the rear crossbar by putting it in sideways and then turning it so that the holes are towards the bottom of the frame rails.
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14
Secure the rear crossbar to the bed of the truck with two of the enclosed mounting bolts.
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15
Install the remaining hardware for the mounting system, paying close attention to the proper torque and positioning per the instructions for your truck type.
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16
Position and install the hitch onto the mounting system after choosing the correct alignment and spacers for your vehicle type.
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17
Use a ratchet strap to pull the exhaust pipe toward the sidewall of the bed.
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18
Measure the correct placement for the safety chain tie-down holes and mark them with a transfer punch from the bed of the truck.
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19
Drill the holes for the safety chain tie-downs, from the underneath of the truck, with a hole saw.
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20
Position the safety chain U-bolts in the drilled holes, with the U above the bed, and cut off the excess length of bolt with a reciprocating saw.
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21
Verify that all installation hardware is secure before removing the ratchet strap that is holding the muffler out of the way.
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Tips & Warnings
A spray-on bed liner is recommended to prevent rust from forming around the hitch.
Wear eye protection and gloves to prevent injury.
