It's been decades since I had a gooseneck ball installed. Now I see flip downs and pins that allow you to pop the ball in/out.

I'll be pulling tractors on trailers and dump trailers, sometimes hay trailers.

Opinions on what kind/brand?

Also best place in Aggieland that does the install?

Thanks!

Next hitch will be a B&W turnover. Can do 5th wheels as well. If I'm looking at the diagrams correctly, a B&W bolts to the frame.

Normal gooseneck/5th wheel bolts to frame with 90degree straps, then those straps bolt to rails in bed. Eight small holes in bed, B&W one bigger hole. Those 8 bolts are a PITA to tighten, and I'd bet lots of folks don't do it well

They are an even bigger PITA if the bed ever needs to come off

B&W TURNOVER BALL

I have these on my trucks. You can install them yourself if you like. The toughest part is getting the nerve to run that hole saw through your truck bed.

PSA… always check the ball release handle to make sure some punk didn't pull it. Be nice if there was a way to lock it.

B&W Turnover, work perfectly with my B&W 5th wheel companion hitch. It's a great system.

Another vote for B&W. Have a Turnover Ball in my '09 Chevy and also use the fifth wheel Companion.

I had the factory GN hitch installed in my '24 GMC, but still use the B&W Companion that fits my GM puck system.

B&W installed by the crew at Texas Truck Riggins.

Deerdude said:

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B&W hands down. But occasionally pull ball out and flip or just clean. That feed dust really likes to wedge in the ball if you let it.

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When I had this hitch I would give it a good coating of lithium grease to keep,it from sticking

B*W is the go to, as you can tell by the replies. I find it superior to the factory hitch especially on a Ram, since Ram's factory hitch takes up so much more space in the bed for the 4 post RV mount. Ford's factory hitch is more compact, but if not done from factory, I wouldn't even consider a factory option on any brand.

I got the factory hitch about 2-3 trucks ago, I think it was an '11 F250.

Friggin ball was extra for over $400. For a hitch ball.

One drawback on the B&W is on some models you have to remove the hitch to change your rear shocks. I attempted to change my shocks last year on my 17" F250 only to realize that the mounting brackets for the B&W didn't allow it on the right rear. I called B&W and they informed me on certain brands/year models that the design didn't allow for removal of the shock. It was rather shocking to find out.

Deerdude said:

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I got the factory hitch about 2-3 trucks ago, I think it was an '11 F250.

Friggin ball was extra for over $400. For a hitch ball.

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Ordered my 2012 F-250 (still have it), with the factory GN hitch package.
Came with a bag containing the GN ball, and the two safety chain hookups.
And all three bed cuts have the plastic insert/covers, when not in use.

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It was rather shocking to find out.

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GSS said:

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Deerdude said:

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I got the factory hitch about 2-3 trucks ago, I think it was an '11 F250.

Friggin ball was extra for over $400. For a hitch ball.

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Ordered my 2012 F-250 (still have it), with the factory GN hitch package.
Came with a bag containing the GN ball, and the two safety chain hookups.
And all three bed cuts have the plastic insert/covers, when not in use.

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If I had known it would have been a part of negotiations, but it was total surprise when they delivered and I signed off then later learned that it was separate.
Kinda like rear bumpers back in the day. A whopping $75 extra you had to negotiate to throw in.

I have a fold down gooseneck hitch in my F250. Pretty sure it is a draw-tite. It has been a great hitch. It was in the truck when I bought it. Installer welded two 3/4"x 4" bars across my truck frame and bolted the hitch to them. It has worked great.

Just to pile on, another vote for the B&W Turnover Ball.

FortWorthAg said:

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I have a B&W Turnover Ball and highly recommend it.

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I bought one of the knockoff brands of the B&W but haven't installed it yet out of sheer laziness. Was planning on the B&W, but this price I couldn't pass up and it gets really good reviews. Glad to hear that design is a good one.