Gooseneck ball positioning - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

wyldstallyn73 · 11-24-2005, 09:40 AM

Putting a gooseneck hitch on my crew cab and was wanting info on optimal position of the ball in relation to the axle centerline(vertically)-- Guy I know tells me 6 inches forward of the axle works great for him, but I would like other input before I burn it down for good.

n9emz · 11-24-2005, 01:21 PM

This has come up before....consensus seems to be 5"-6" and the instruction sheets on both my 5th wheel and goose put the kingpin and ball centerlines 5" in front of my axle centerline. Check out the RBW, DrawTite and Reese sites....you can download the instruction sheets there.

saprobe · 11-24-2005, 06:20 PM

if you do a search,youll prolly bring up a post from me with almost exactly the same title

i ended up putting mine 6" in front of the axle centerline.

FYRMAN · 11-24-2005, 06:31 PM

If you are using a bolt in hitch (like you should be) the ball position will be determined by the manufacture of the hitch.

I recommend B&W.

wyldstallyn73 · 11-25-2005, 07:30 AM

I am too much of a cheap-ass to buy one, so I built my own from a piece of 10 inch I-beam that now looks like a piece of channel with another piece of 1/2 inch plate welded to the bottom side. I was considering going 8 inches forward, but I guess I will back it off a couple of inches unless someone can give me a reason to stay with 8. If 5 or 6 is the general standard, then I guess theres a reason for that!!

TexasBlake · 12-02-2005, 02:10 AM

I only have around 2" in front of my rear axle. But because of the stupid ass first gen Dodge frames, that was pretty much the only place it could fit with a homeade 10" C Channel gooseneck. It seems to be working fine, but I have a baby gooseneck trailer.

11-24-2005, 09:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
wyldstallyn73 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Member # 40162 Posts: 1,453	Gooseneck ball positioning Putting a gooseneck hitch on my crew cab and was wanting info on optimal position of the ball in relation to the axle centerline(vertically)-- Guy I know tells me 6 inches forward of the axle works great for him, but I would like other input before I burn it down for good. __________________ "Time you shut your cake-hole, YOKO!!!"

11-24-2005, 01:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
n9emz Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Member # 30778 Location: Springville, IN Posts: 501	This has come up before....consensus seems to be 5"-6" and the instruction sheets on both my 5th wheel and goose put the kingpin and ball centerlines 5" in front of my axle centerline. Check out the RBW, DrawTite and Reese sites....you can download the instruction sheets there. __________________ Sam Towel Boy for Team Deliverance BACON - [URL="http://rrorc.com"]The Fuel of Team F.A.T.[/URL] [URL="http://home.bluemarble.net/~n9emz/Vehicles/gaymobile.jpg"]Primary Tow Rig[/URL]

11-24-2005, 06:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
saprobe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Member # 6596 Location: dayton,oh Posts: 545	if you do a search,youll prolly bring up a post from me with almost exactly the same title i ended up putting mine 6" in front of the axle centerline. __________________ scotty 85 grand wagoneer(whats left of it) 77 scout II truggy 84 "home made crew cab" Mindless Entertainment

11-24-2005, 06:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
FYRMAN Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4358 Location: otHELLo, Washington Posts: 3,700	If you are using a bolt in hitch (like you should be) the ball position will be determined by the manufacture of the hitch. I recommend B&W. __________________ [COLOR="Red"]Central Washington Muff Dive and Rescue Team[/COLOR]

11-25-2005, 07:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
wyldstallyn73 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Member # 40162 Posts: 1,453	I am too much of a cheap-ass to buy one, so I built my own from a piece of 10 inch I-beam that now looks like a piece of channel with another piece of 1/2 inch plate welded to the bottom side. I was considering going 8 inches forward, but I guess I will back it off a couple of inches unless someone can give me a reason to stay with 8. If 5 or 6 is the general standard, then I guess theres a reason for that!! __________________ "Time you shut your cake-hole, YOKO!!!"

12-02-2005, 02:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
TexasBlake El Guapo Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9722 Location: ColoradoBlake Posts: 4,736	I only have around 2" in front of my rear axle. But because of the stupid ass first gen Dodge frames, that was pretty much the only place it could fit with a homeade 10" C Channel gooseneck. It seems to be working fine, but I have a baby gooseneck trailer.

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