I have a 2001 CTD shortbed. I had a shop put in a Goosneck hitch. The ball is about 6 inches in front of the rear axle towards the cab. I just had the front corner of my trailer knock out my rear glass and did some body damage. Can anyone tell me the right location for the hitch and did the shop screw it up. Thanks

I hate to tell you but it sounds about right and that is the risk with a short box.

Two options:
Get an offset hitch.
Different trailer.

Lesson learned: Don't drive a new truck/trailer combo until you know your angles.

the ball is optimally placed up to 6" forward of the rear axle centerline in order to shift some weight forward,to the front axle.

the ball could be placed as far back as directly overtop of the rear axle centerline without any adverse effects.

however,i doubt that its worth the efforts to move the ball back since its mounted and functional,especially if the shop used a mounting kit designed for yuor truck-custom fabrication may be needed if the kit used pre-existing holes inthe frame.

forward of the axle is better,and prolly 6 inches rearward is not enuff to have prevented the damage anyway. a square nosed trailer prolly would have still got you.

as was mentioned,this is unfortunately the risk with a shortbed truck. in the future youll just need to pay close attention to the angle of the truck/trailer while backing or doing a sharp U turn.

http://www.millenniumlinings.com/b_and_w.htm

Look in to an extender, I have never used one but it seems a better option than punching out another hole in the bed. I placed my ball 3" in front of the axel for the same reason. I also knew this was an option if that didn't work out.

depending on the pin weight you MAY be ok to have the hitch over the rear axle or even slightly behind it (only a few inches). In a short bed, I would not put a hitch 6 inches in front of the rear axle, almost guaranteed to hit the cab. Your trailer will actually track better if the pin is at or slightly behind the rear axle as opposed being in front of it.

You can look at an extended/cantilevered trailer hitch or a sliding hitch mount in the bed that slides the pin back as you turn so it does not hit the cab.

This is what I mean when i say extended hitch, dont know if that is the right term or not: (duh, hitch in the bed, pin on the trailer)

http://rvtravel.com/blog/jerry/uploaded_images/Terry-789761.jpg

This is what I mean when i say extended hitch, dont know if that is the right term or not:

http://rvtravel.com/blog/jerry/uploaded_images/Terry-789761.jpg

Extended pin box would be a more accurate term, the term "hitch" is generally for the part mounted to the truck :)

To the OP - A slider hitch, extended pin box, and/or some practice driving and seeing how far you can turn forward as well as some practice backing in a big empty parking lot will be the best options from this point.

:usa:

Thanks for all your replies. It would have been nice if the shop would have informed me that I even had an extender option and that I will probably have an issue with the "Short Bed" before I drove 600miles to pick up the trailer and drag it home. And they new this before I bought it! I am not one to sue for anything or poiny blame. However, does anyone think they have any liability here or does this go down as my own stupitdity and buyer beware? My trailer corner is dented and my truck was really hit hard! Thanks in advance

You jackknifed your own truck- your own stupidity (not trying to be a dick here). :)

As said before, you gotta be super extra careful pulling a 5th or a goose on a shortbed the first time. It would have been "nice" if the shop would have reminded you of the dangers... but not necessary IMHO.

unless they sold you something you're not licensed to drive, without checking first, I'm going to say it's your own fault.

You insurance company might be an option...


:usa:

Out of couriosity (sp) what shop did yo uhave it installed at? PM me the name of the shop, no need to post it public.

You can look at an extended/cantilevered trailer hitch or a sliding hitch mount in the bed that slides the pin back as you turn so it does not hit the cab.

This is what I mean when i say extended hitch, dont know if that is the right term or not:

http://rvtravel.com/blog/jerry/uploaded_images/Terry-789761.jpg

umm,guys,im alittle confused here... i thot we were talking about the proper placement of a gooseneck ball,not a 5th wheel hitch.

if this is the case,the picture is not correct(i have seen offset gooseneck couplers) and i have never seen a sliding gooseneck ball.

You jackknifed your own truck- your own stupidity (not trying to be a dick here). :)

As said before, you gotta be super extra careful pulling a 5th or a goose on a shortbed the first time. It would have been "nice" if the shop would have reminded you of the dangers... but not necessary IMHO.

Agreed. The shop shouldn't have to assume that you are stupid and remind you of these things. Say you buy a new truck...its bigger than your old one and maybe a wider turning radius. You hit a parked car turning into a parking space because of this. Is the auto maker responsible because they didn't warn you before they sold you the vehicle?

I have a fifth wheel toy hauler and use a b and w hitch. The ball is about 6" forward from center of bed but i actually use a B & W Fifthwheel hitch that located the pin centered in the bed. I pull with a shortbed megacab and holy shit your right its close .....

my suggestion on the extended pin box or the sliding hitch was in case he wanted to leave the hitch in the current location (6" in front of the rear axle). Hopefully one or both of those would allow him to do that and keep the trailer from hitting the cab again.

The sliding hitch that I referred to was a fifth wheel, not a gooseneck ball, sorry for any confusion.

Thanks for all your replies. It would have been nice if the shop would have informed me that I even had an extender option and that I will probably have an issue with the "Short Bed" before I drove 600miles to pick up the trailer and drag it home. And they new this before I bought it! I am not one to sue for anything or poiny blame. However, does anyone think they have any liability here or does this go down as my own stupitdity and buyer beware? My trailer corner is dented and my truck was really hit hard! Thanks in advance

Darren,
This is one of those experience things. The full width nose, goosnecks are a chore to tow with a shortbed. Fix everything and get a hitch extender.

i bought a gooseneck to fifth wheel hitch adaptor and i then use my fifth wheel hitch so much nicer to hook and unhook trailer and i could slide the hitch back and forth depending on what i am doing with the trailer.i have a 06 dodge 2500 diesel short bed.

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-FWGNA~2085205.htm

if the shop installed a b&w gooseneck hitch you might have an option to give you 4 inches of more clearance with your cab. They offer an offset drop in replacement ball that moves it back 4 inches. look at this link and click on the accessories link at the top right of the page and you'll see it in the window with all the other accessories.

http://www.turnoverball.com/turnover.asp

umm,guys,im alittle confused here... i thot we were talking about the proper placement of a gooseneck ball,not a 5th wheel hitch.

if this is the case,the picture is not correct(i have seen offset gooseneck couplers) and i have never seen a sliding gooseneck ball.

You're right, ther is no mention of the trailer being a 5th wheel, so strike my comments if it is in fact a ball coupler. I have not seen a sliding hitch for a ball either, and depending on the weight of the trailer and ball weight, the offset next might be an option.

I saw the other post I quoted and elaborated on the pin box, then got lost in the tangent I guess :D )

:usa:

Well assuming since he said he jackknifed into his cab we would assume its a fifthwheel........ if you jackknife a flatbed more than likely the contact points not going to be that high up unless your an idiot...... in that case i dont think he'd be posting a question about what to do.
edit: here's his next thread
2001 CTD/NV4500 short bed Towing???

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've searced everything and I still have a couple of questions for all the smart Pirate guys.
I have a 2001, extended cab, short bed 5.9 CTD, NV4500, Air bags, overload springs w/85k miles, brand new B & W hitch.
I just bought a 36' triple axle toyhauler that weighs about 11k lbs. i went to CAT scales and weighed in at almost 20lbs without water, tools, and race buggy that weighs 3,000lbs. Aside from destroying my cab after picking it up. My Dodge appeared to be towing it fine with exception of long hills (Tehachapies, Grape vine etc). The vehicle is rated at 13k trailer and 20k total I believe. The motor is completely stock. My questions are as follows: Would EDGE make that much of a difference or any other upgrades? Is it even worth fixing the Cab, both sides of "B" pillar, and broken rear windsheild? And if not, would it be hard to sell? I am considering an F450 King Ranch or a Dodge 3500 both 2008 models, I am confused that the Dodge actually has more HP and Torque than the F450! Anyway, would the 3500 really make that big of a difference over what I have for what I would have to pay for it?? All input is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Well assuming since he said he jackknifed into his cab we would assume its a fifthwheel........

why would you assume that? :confused: ive seen plenty of square nose enclosed gooseneck trailers,so when a man asks "what is the proper location of a gooseneck ball" i have no reason to believe that he really means "5th wheel hitch"

im also not sure what his next post has to do with the price of beans? :confused:

im also not sure what his next post has to do with the price of beans? :confused:

I may be off on what he was implying... but the other post goes to show his newness to towing by the nature of the questions he is asking

why would you assume that? :confused: ive seen plenty of square nose enclosed gooseneck trailers,so when a man asks "what is the proper location of a gooseneck ball" i have no reason to believe that he really means "5th wheel hitch"

im also not sure what his next post has to do with the price of beans? :confused:

i would assume out of experience and knowing how close it is with hitch location, fiftwheel vs enclosed which i have both, and towing with a shortbed. enclosed is not an issue at all. on the enclosed gooseneck the gn hitch coupler is all the way at the front of the neck. nothing in front. on my fifthwheel there is a good 18" + of bubble in front of the pin location. I speak from experience. You speak just to speak and try to dispute someone. They guy asked a question and all you did was dispute what someone else said. you didnt help with what he was asking......

The other thing is if he infact would have jacknifed a square nose enclosed it would take a lot and we'd all agree he's an idiot. I think he would be trying to hide that from anyone and dang sure wouldnt post up on here what he had done. I know i wouldnt!

i would assume out of experience and knowing how close it is with hitch location, fiftwheel vs enclosed which i have both, and towing with a shortbed. enclosed is not an issue at all. on the enclosed gooseneck the gn hitch coupler is all the way at the front of the neck. nothing in front. on my fifthwheel there is a good 18" + of bubble in front of the pin location. I speak from experience. You speak just to speak and try to dispute someone. They guy asked a question and all you did was dispute what someone else said. you didnt help with what he was asking......


Edit: A guy says goosenck and we think gooseneck.

Either way, a goosneck and 5th wheel can do the damage described.

i would assume out of experience and knowing how close it is with hitch location, fiftwheel vs enclosed which i have both, and towing with a shortbed. enclosed is not an issue at all. on the enclosed gooseneck the gn hitch coupler is all the way at the front of the neck. nothing in front. on my fifthwheel there is a good 18" + of bubble in front of the pin location. I speak from experience. You speak just to speak and try to dispute someone. They guy asked a question and all you did was dispute what someone else said. you didnt help with what he was asking......

excuse me?

his first post said this:

I have a 2001 CTD shortbed. I had a shop put in a Goosneck hitch. The ball is about 6 inches in front of the rear axle towards the cab. I just had the front corner of my trailer knock out my rear glass and did some body damage. Can anyone tell me the right location for the hitch and did the shop screw it up. Thanks

he just because he said "hitch" most of ya didnt pay attention to the fact that he was asking where his gooseneck ball should be.

i thot i pretty directly answered his question by saying this:

the ball is optimally placed up to 6" forward of the rear axle centerline in order to shift some weight forward,to the front axle.

the ball could be placed as far back as directly overtop of the rear axle centerline without any adverse effects.

however,i doubt that its worth the efforts to move the ball back since its mounted and functional,especially if the shop used a mounting kit designed for yuor truck-custom fabrication may be needed if the kit used pre-existing holes inthe frame.

forward of the axle is better,and prolly 6 inches rearward is not enuff to have prevented the damage anyway. a square nosed trailer prolly would have still got you.

as was mentioned,this is unfortunately the risk with a shortbed truck. in the future youll just need to pay close attention to the angle of the truck/trailer while backing or doing a sharp U turn.

i think that pretty directly helped him. i dont doubt your setup clears and the experience you have towing it. but there are many different types if trailers and you cant make a generalization that "all enclosed trailers will clear the cab with the ball 6" forward on a shortbed dodge". i am hardly speaking just to "speak and try to dispute someone"

i can see why you made the assumption you did,but that doesnt change the fact that you jumped to an incorrect conclusion. :flipoff2:

im lost to where i made an incorrect assumption. it was a toyhauler and seeing as in i have one i know what he was saying. it just sounded too formiliar I damn near did the same thing with the same set up. SO i went to a b & w fifthwheel adapter to set the pin locatin back the 6". I didnt read your post and you were helpful my bad. But i didnt assume wrong. Anyways im sure he's corrected his problem problem solved.

im lost to where i made an incorrect assumption..

the incorrect assumptions you made were these:

Well assuming since he said he jackknifed into his cab we would assume its a fifthwheel

and

i would assume out of experience and knowing how close it is with hitch location, fiftwheel vs enclosed which i have both, and towing with a shortbed. enclosed is not an issue at all

you assumed that #1 his trailer was a 5th wheel and that #2 just because your enclosed GN barely clears your cab that all would on all trucks. i have towed enclosed square nosed GNs that were close on my long bed :eek:

pin and GN coupler locations can be in different spots on different trailers,they can be different widths,etc. thats all i was getting at it was never intended as a personal attack on you or your experiences.

Should have bought a long bed :flipoff2:

Should have bought a long bed :flipoff2:


Then he would be posting about side swipping a car at the mall instead.

:laughing:

I find it funny that the mention of a lawsute came up. Your the one that wrecked it, then you consider suing them?

But anyway , are we talking about a gooseneck ot 5th wheel here? I am pretty lost.

Sounds like a 5th wheel gooseneck.

:laughing:

Sounds like a 5th wheel gooseneck.

:laughing:

:laughing: :p

but seriously... the original poster has a GOOSENECK toyhauler and a shop installed the ball 6" forward of his rear axle center.

Funny, I go to google to see if they actually make a gooseneck camper and all the hauler crawler builds from PBB show up.


Not finding one.



Possible he has a platform on top of his G/N that nailed his cab.


Either way....it is his fault.


:laughing:

Funny, I go to google to see if they actually make a gooseneck camper and all the hauler crawler builds from PBB show up.


Not finding one.



Possible he has a platform on top of his G/N that nailed his cab.


Either way....it is his fault.


:laughing:

Most of the Toy Haulers that are based off of a larger enclosed cargo trailer are goosenecks:

http://www.trailersforsale.com/W&P_5a.jpg

http://www.advantagetrailer.com/images/products/large/182_1.jpg

http://www.trailersofidaho.com/_images//BALBOA-GN-BLUEOP1.jpg

Top and bottom are 5th wheels but that middle one fits the bill.


Reminds me of Roxy's setup.

im lost to where i made an incorrect assumption. it was a toyhauler and seeing as in i have one i know what he was saying.

Where did the OP say it was a toyhauler? The only mention that the OP made of what was being towed was "trailer".

Top and bottom are 5th wheels but that middle one fits the bill.


Reminds me of Roxy's setup.

Going to get my glasses, they all look like "post style" couplers so switching between a kingpin and gooseneck coupler is easily done.

Where did the OP say it was a toyhauler? The only mention that the OP made of what was being towed was "trailer".

Another thread:

I just bought a 36' triple axle toyhauler that weighs about 11k lbs. i went to CAT scales and weighed in at almost 20lbs without water, tools, and race buggy that weighs 3,000lbs. Aside from destroying my cab after picking it up.

Maybe the OP could post a fawking picture of what he has so this thread can die :flipoff2:

OP - you fawked your shit up, talk to your insurance company, doesn't sound like anyone is at fault except you. (unless they let you drive off in something you weren't licensed to drive, but I doubt thats the case)


Sounds like a 5th wheel gooseneck.

:laughing:

thats what mine is :flipoff2:


:usa:

Don't be a victim, trying to blame someone else.
When you jack knifed the trailer, you never looked and thought, damn, that thing is close to the cab!

Oh, buy one of these.
http://www.popuphitch.com/sb1coupl.htm


And Yes, I too have dent in my cab.

When i did mine. I called a hand full of shops and talk to some dot guys.
And they said from the axle shaft center line up to 5"inch forward. Any more then that if doesnt put the load of your springs. Which is the point of the ball. Not to load up you chassic with the load.

I had an 2001 that i put a BW hitch in back in 01. I distincty remember the ball was 2" in front of the rear axle. It was possible to put the ball in upside down and the ball could smack the diff if the truck was loaded. They (BW) must have moved the froward to stop that from happening, now you smash the cab instead.....

Going to get my glasses, they all look like "post style" couplers so switching between a kingpin and gooseneck coupler is easily done.

they are. i use a kingpin adapter like that on my 36 foot flatbed so i can tow it with my 5th wheel hitch.

http://www.etrailer.com/mErchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/2/0/2085205.jpg