Gooseneck Hitch acceptable "Slop"

[JPinnell]

My new to me '94 F250 Powerstroke came with a fold over ball similar to the attached. I've never used it as I just had a bumper pull trailer. I'm know looking to upgrade trailers (maybe a goose) and decided to check out this hitch I already have. It appears to be mounted well enough with crossmemeber to the frame, folds up and down easily, etc but there is some slop/wobble when it's folded upright. If it was a wheel bearing I wouldn't run on it, maybe 1/16" but what's acceptable? Anyone have experience with one of these? The truck gets very little use 7000 miles in 2yrs of ownership. Previous to me I think it saw all of its 128,000 miles in a dusty field or gravel road.

Is it safe to use?

[powerstroke444e]

Thats pretty common with that type of ball

[JPinnell]

I guess I was expecting it to be tight? If the design is prone to some wobble then I'll run it unless someone chimes in about it being unsafe. I only haul a trailer a few times a year and usually within 75 miles of home.

[em14]

I would be concerned if I had "movement" in a GN ball due to the load imposed when accelerating (+ or -) but then the Pintle Trailer Hitches move a lot!
Leo

[Foothill Rancher]

I have one thats close to the one in your picture, I've used it for 12 yrs up hills, down hills, across hills, thru stream beds, in very rough fields and on the highways, never had any type of problem with it. Alot of the cattlemen in my are use these.

If your worried about the wobble I think there is one that screws in and out, problem with these is dirt and crud get into the threads and you could also misplace the ball and have to buy a new one.

My trailer is 14000 lb rated and most of the time is fully loaded (you can't always tell what the cattle weigh when in the field)

Before I haul I clean the dirt, twigs and any other crud out, spray the ball pin with WD-40 and grease the ball with a good moly grease.