They’re not the best choice for recreational trailers, but the low cost and versatility of the hitch makes them a great choice for those who want to haul fully loaded trailers over rough terrain. Picking one out can seem like quite a chore if you don’t know what you’re looking for, so let’s take a look at 4 of the best gooseneck hitches on the market then we’ll get into how to pick the right one for you.
CURT 60607 DoubleLock Gooseneck Hitch
The Curt 60607 DoubleLock Gooseneck Hitch is a fantastic, American-made hitch which will easily allow you haul as much as your truck’s engine can take without any fuss. Most people will find that they can install it easily themselves, even in their own driveway. They make them for pretty much every common model of truck, and once this hitch (see full specs) is mounted, you can get out there and enjoy yourself.
CURT 16055 Rail Mounted Gooseneck Hitch
If you’re looking for something a bit more versatile and don’t mind some of the room in your bed being taken up on a semi-permanent basis then the CURT 16055 might be exactly what you’re looking for. This rail mounted hitch can hold an astounding 18,000lbs and it’s made of quality materials that’ll ensure it’s not the weak point in your towing train. Give it a shot if you’re planning on always hauling with your truck.
REESE Elite 30137 Under-Bed Gooseneck Kit
Looking to haul heavy? The REESE Elite 30137 is rated for 30,000lbs and can be installed on the factory rails for Ford trucks from the F-250 on up. This makes it simple to install, convenient to use, and you won’t have to reach up under your fender to get it in place. The best part is that it’s way cheaper than the standard Ford gooseneck which can be found, while maintaining high build-quality to ensure you never have a problem with it. If you’ve got a Ford truck, this is like the best gooseneck hitch you can buy.
Draw-Tite 9465-54 Hide-A-Goose Complete Kit for GM
If you’re a weekend warrior type, you’ll fall in love with these Hide-A-Goose kits (see full specs). They allow you to quickly and easily get the hitch out of the way so you can have full access to the bed of your truck, then come back out quickly in order to get any heavy hauling you might need done. It can be a lengthy installation process to get it all done, but if you want to gain a ton of towing capability without having to use up any of your bed then you’ll be in good hands with this kit.
Why Use a Gooseneck?
There’s a lot of false information out there surrounding these hitches. A lot of folks see them as primitive and only really useful for heavy hauling. The thing is that a lot of fifth wheel trailers are expensive, and in order to get the same ease of towing while going over rough terrain you’ll need one that moves in at least four different planes.
Goosenecks have a long history, and they’re still around for a reason: they’re simple, tough, and allow you to make sure that you can haul damn near anything. They’re mostly used for livestock trailers and flat beds, where the ride doesn’t matter as much, but they make a fine fit for any oversized trailer.
The main thing that attracts most people is pretty simple though: pretty much any gooseneck trailer can have the ball removed super quickly to allow you full access to the back of your truck. They’re a great option if you also use your daily driver for hauling, and many people swear by them for that reason.
If you go with a rail-mounted version you’ll also find that you can switch between a gooseneck and a standard fifth wheel hitch pretty easily depending on what you’re hauling.
The best gooseneck hitches also have a tendency to be amazingly strong. Most of them are rated at around 30,000lbs which can outstrip the performance of a lot of engines. Essentially, they’re a heavy-duty, no frills option which can allow you to haul things cheaply and efficiently without having to break your bank account.
What to Look For?
Outside of making sure that the hitch fits your truck, you’ll want to make sure that you can haul the weight you’re planning on moving safely. This usually isn’t a problem, but lighter hitches do exist and aren’t quite as wide-ranging in their use. The type of hitch makes a big difference.
Under the bed hitches are good for those who want to still use the bed of their truck on a regular basis. You can usually disengage the ball quite quickly so you can get things in there without any form of protrusion. They’re ideal for those who aren’t always hauling with their truck.
Hide-a-Goose hitches take things to the next level and include an electronic way to hide the hitch away when it’s not in use. They’ll run you a little bit more money, but they provide a lot of added convenience for those who are frequently switching back and forth.
Rail mounted hitches are great for those with a vehicle that’s dedicated to hauling. You can use a gooseneck for the truly heavy stuff and if you’re careful about your selection then you can also switch over to a more expensive fifth wheel trailer for those times when you want to make sure you have an ultra-smooth ride.
Conclusion
If you’ve been looking for a great, cheap way to haul some larger items then pick up the best gooseneck hitch you can purchase. You’ll be surprised at just how versatile they are, and most of them are super easy to install as well, which means you and your trailer will be able to get on the road that much faster. No need to hesitate, just find one that’s good for your vehicle and make the investment in your hauling future. Good luck!
