How far forward of the axle should the ball be? Also, this will be a below deck hitch...how big should the box be?

I am building a flat/utility bed for my 06 Dodge 3500 dually. I don't have nor do I know anything about goosenecks but while I'm building I may as well build in the hitch. Anything else I should know?

Thanks
Mikey

i have never towed with a GS but what i have read says directly over the rear axle, or 6inches forward of rear axle... search around

Thanks Yota,

I've been searching and found (on a horse trailer site) that most people put it 4" forward of axle on a long bed like mine.

Still haven't found anything about space required for the box.

Thank's
Mikey

Mine is centered right over the rear axle. It was that way when I bought it. If I had my way, it would be 6-10 inches forward of the axle centerline. Before you go forward of the centerline, you need to make sure that your bed will clear the neck.
If you're building your own flatbed, Maybe notch the rear corners.
I may be selling my CM flatbed, Not sure yet.
It has the recessed ball, If you want, Tomorrow, I'll go out and take a bunch of pics/ measurements for you. Just tell me specifically what you want to see/know.

Thanks Camarogenius,
I'm building my own because no one builds one like I want and can't afford to have it custom built. The corners will be notched but not a great deal. The bed will be 8' 4". Do you think at this bed length there would still be plenty of clearence between bed and trailer with the ball 10" forward? Is 4" far enough forward? I've been looking at my design and it would fit nicely at 4" but I can put it anywhere.

Like I said, I don't even have a gooseneck trailer but it would be lots easier to put the hitch in now and I would like to have it cause you just never know when it will be useful.

If you could measure the box the ball sits in that would be great. Also, how long is your bed? I want to make sure there is no clearence problems if I ever do haul a gooseneck.

Thanks again
Mikey

I have a B&W store bought hitch, the ball sits about 2" forward of the axle. I think 2"-4" is plenty, any more and you could have trouble with the trailer being too close to the bed. Mine is a long bed chevy 2500HD truck. The boxes I've seen are about 12" square with a hinged lid and light plug inside the box. Get the 2 5/16" ball to install and make sure you make it deep enough so the lid closes.

HTH,
Stan.

Okay, so you're starting with a blank page. Good. (I hope you have the blank check to go along with it!:) )
Since you don't have a trailer yet, I'd reconsider the sunken ball idea. at least look at your options first.
Since you are open on your options, keep them as open as you can. Consider a B&W turnover ball. The reason for this is it still mounts flat when not in use. Also, there's a guy in chit chat that has the 5th wheel hitch that works with the turnover ball, so you can pull a goose or a 5th wheel trailer.
4" will be fine. If you read my sig, I get pretty extreme with my gooseneck. That's why I wish for 10" forward, just to put some of the weight on the steers. I'm "that 1%" that pushes my equipment to the ragged edge.
Another neat trick, is when you plate the deck, make sure the seam in the plating is dead center of the bed, and the ball centered on the weld. It makes hooking up a whole lot easier.
Oh, my bed is 9' long.

Thanks guys, this is the info I was looking for.

Mikey

I've been searching and found (on a horse trailer site) that most people put it 4" forward of axle on a long bed like mine.

Still haven't found anything about space required for the box.

Thank's
Mikey

after much research,i put mine at 6" forward,for the reasons mr camarogenious stated-to shift more of the weight forward. ive not got alot of experience towing GN trailers,either,but my truck is in the construction stage and have been doing alot of reasearch while putting it together.

most guys will only put the ball right over the axle in a shortbed truck in order to gain alittle more clearance at the cab. apparently crunching up the cab corners while backing up a GN with a shorbed is not an uncommon occurance. ;) everything else ive read,the further forward,the better. 4-6 is the most common placement to get a good compromise cab clearance and weight shift.

as far as the box goes if you build a recessed hitch,there are different types of GN couplers. if you plan on a trailer with a standard coupler,prolly an 8"-10" square is plenty. there are also trailers that use what looks like an inverted 5thwheel hitch at the bottom of the tongue. these are prolly 12-13" wide at their widest points,so youll need a 14-15" box to accomodate one. my ball is frame mounted,and my flatbed is higher than most.i cut a 14" hole in my bed to hopefully accomodate that kind of trailer if the need ever arrises to haul one.

if you go the ball flat on top of the bed route,youre safe for about any type of coupler.its also will be much easier to hook up, even if you dont have the weld seam to follow. as i mentioned my ball is really far down in the hole and its a big fat PITA to hook up. it involves lots of getting out,looking,and repositioning to get it lined up by myself. :shaking: its enuff of a pain that i prolly will eventually remake it to be just under the bed surface,or maybe some sort of setup like the B&W.

I have a B&W Turnover and it's 3-3/4" in front of the rear axle, Pulles great.

Nightcrawlers,
Thanks for the info. My truck is a 3500 4x4 and already has a high deck/bed. The new flatbed will be a few inches higher than that. I like the 'turnover ball' and I noticed B&W has a weld in kit...but, with the deck as high as it is going to be I thought it would be better to have the ball recessed.
Are most goosenecks adjustable as far as ball hieght is concerned? The 'turnover' would certainly simpify things if this is the case.

Thanks for all the info everone,
Mikey

Yes, All factory built goosenecks are adjustable. Mine actually goes it a step further, and is convertible to a kingpin.

Thanks guys,
Looks like I'll go with the B&W Turnover and put it 4" to 6" in front of the axle.

Lots of good info, Thanks
Mikey

Yes, All new factory built goosenecks are adjustable. Mine actually goes it a step further, and is convertible to a kingpin.

Sorry, had to fix it for you. If you buy a used unit it may not be adjustable. I have one.