Beefing up half-ton for gooseneck

[Brahmus]

Most dealers also said that they would have a very hard time getting any warranty work done to his truck if the factory knew there was a gooseneck hitch in a half ton pickup. If dealers see things that don't belong, like a gooseneck hitch in a 1/2 ton pickup, they are at risk for not getting paid by the factory for the warranty claim if the factory finds out about it and the dealer didn't make it known to them. Most dealers aren't willing to look the other way with the chance they may have to eat the cost of his repair.

Who said you aren't suppose to put a GN hitch in a 1/2 ton truck? There are many GN trailers well within the limits of a 1/2 ton. I know it's not common but that shouldn't be a reason to void a warranty on it's own.

There are GN hitches now that are far less destructive on a bed for install......

 

[Duffster]

I'm not 'concerned' so to speak. I just wanted the original poster to make sure he's not scalped at lease turn in time. I've worked in and around the auto industry for over 20 years and I don't at all doubt that he may have been told what he said but I very seriously doubt that will be the case at lease turn in time. Every lender I've spoken with and every major sized dealer I know all say that, at the very minimum, he will have to buy a brand new bed for the truck at lease turn in. Most dealers also said that they would have a very hard time getting any warranty work done to his truck if the factory knew there was a gooseneck hitch in a half ton pickup. If dealers see things that don't belong, like a gooseneck hitch in a 1/2 ton pickup, they are at risk for not getting paid by the factory for the warranty claim if the factory finds out about it and the dealer didn't make it known to them. Most dealers aren't willing to look the other way with the chance they may have to eat the cost of his repair.

In general, both of those things spell major expense for him. I just wanted to point out that what he says doesn't jibe with industry standards, manufacturer standards nor lease company standards. Doesn't mean that 100% he's wrong, but it does mean that he better darn well get everything in writing and probably video tape the dealer telling him that so the dealer can't later say 'that's a forged document' and that he never agreed to such nonsense.

To me, having decades experience in the industry, this sort of smells like someone buying something from you on eBay for $100 and then sending you a check for $2500, asking you to send the rest back to him in cash. There's a chance it's a real deal but the odds are extremely slim that it is.

I realize the auto companies are using any excuse they can to get out of paying for stuff now but to deny warranty work because a truck has a GN hitch installed is absurd.

I think I can answer this. The bumper pull will only put 10-15% of the trailer weight onto the truck but the GN hitch will put 20-25% of the trailer weight onto the truck. The typical half ton's first rating to be exceeded is the GVWR which is why they don't typically get used for GN or 5th wheel work. .

But the difference here is he isn't going to be at max GVW of the trailer. That leaves him leway to load the trailer the way it needs to be to get optimum tongue weight. Thus making a GN far safer than a bumper hitch. I would take a truck with the 1500# in the bed over a truck with 1500# hanging on the bumper anyday.

There is a reason why towing ratings for a truck are typically higher for 5th wheel trailers than bumper hitch trailers.

I do not think that almost "everybody" is telling you that this can't be done with a half ton. I am fairly certain that everybody is telling you that you can use this half ton within the ratings. I think an unbiased reader of this thread would conclude that the half ton will work just fine so long as the trailer weighs what you expect it to weigh. As such, your decision to try it follows right along with the advice given vs. making up your mind before even posting.

I'm going to call Dodge directly to get this cleared up. The service manager informed me to fill in the holes to avoid a penalty, but I'll go past the dealership to get to a firm answer in writing before I make any decision. Should have an answer soon.

Good idea.

So you going to have someone weld the piece they cut out back in, then paint, ot match the beliner around it? top and bottom? Then weld up the holes in the frame? And noone will notice what you did?

Modern hitches don't require extra holes in the frame.

Either way if the lease co. says it's OK then it isn't his problem if the next buyer notices or not.

Who said you aren't suppose to put a GN hitch in a 1/2 ton truck? There are many GN trailers well within the limits of a 1/2 ton. I know it's not common but that shouldn't be a reason to void a warranty on it's own.

There are GN hitches now that are far less destructive on a bed for install......

^^^^^^^What he said

 

[Bill_C]

I'm going to call Dodge directly to get this cleared up. The service manager informed me to fill in the holes to avoid a penalty, but I'll go past the dealership to get to a firm answer in writing before I make any decision. Should have an answer soon.

To repeat what other folks have said: what they SAY doesn't count for squat. It's what they put in WRITING. Forget calling Dodge, forget what the service manager says. Get something in writing from the lease manager.

I would doubt very much that they would accept filled-in holes in the bed.

 

[Dargo]

Who said you aren't suppose to put a GN hitch in a 1/2 ton truck?

Most likely the leasing company

There are many GN trailers well within the limits of a 1/2 ton. I know it's not common but that shouldn't be a reason to void a warranty on it's own.

And you honestly think that any dealership service department in the country isn't going to closely scrutinize any driveline or suspension claim if they see a GN hitch in a 1/2 ton pickup?

There are GN hitches now that are far less destructive on a bed for install......

Please show a link to any that do not damage the truck bed in any way.


I'm not trying to play what if, I'm simply giving my opinion from over 20 years in the industry about how this will most likely be viewed by the vehicle manufacturer as well as the leasing company. Putting snow plows, GN hitches, helper springs etc. are definite red flags for dealership service managers. Most of the time they are not trying to be bad guys by reporting these additions or modification but only protecting their job. It's possible that I could weld a pintle hitch on the back of a Neon and still get warranty work done to it from the factory and still be able to turn it back in on a lease. It's just unlikely. I try to work where the odds are in my favor and not in the "it's possible" or "what if" area.

 

[Duffster]

Most likely the leasing company.

Enough with the lease already, that was never the question anyway

And you honestly think that any dealership service department in the country isn't going to closely scrutinize any driveline or suspension claim if they see a GN hitch in a 1/2 ton pickup? .

Why are you stuck on this assumption that a GN is harder on a truck than a bumper pull.

Please show a link to any that do not damage the truck bed in any way..

Any needle pud with a welder can make a hitch that uses the existing box bolts if holes in the box is really going to be an issue

I'm not trying to play what if, I'm simply giving my opinion from over 20 years in the industry about how this will most likely be viewed by the vehicle manufacturer as well as the leasing company. Putting snow plows, GN hitches, helper springs etc. are definite red flags for dealership service managers. Most of the time they are not trying to be bad guys by reporting these additions or modification but only protecting their job. It's possible that I could weld a pintle hitch on the back of a Neon and still get warranty work done to it from the factory and still be able to turn it back in on a lease. It's just unlikely. I try to work where the odds are in my favor and not in the "it's possible" or "what if" area.

Brahmus, pardon me for interupting

 

[Dargo]

No problems Duffster. Just don't expect me to take you seriously unless you're sure enough to step up to the plate and personally guarantee everything for the fella. I only have 20 years in industry working with auto dealers and lenders. I'm sure, based on your responses, that you have considerably more experience and only have the best interest of the original poster in mind. I suppose it never crossed your mind why so many well meaning people here have taken the trouble to offer their opinions trying to save a guy money and possible issues.

 

[Duffster]

No problems Duffster. Just don't expect me to take you seriously unless you're sure enough to step up to the plate and personally guarantee everything for the fella. I only have 20 years in industry working with auto dealers and lenders. I'm sure, based on your responses, that you have considerably more experience and only have the best interest of the original poster in mind. I suppose it never crossed your mind why so many well meaning people here have taken the trouble to offer their opinions trying to save a guy money and possible issues.

Sorry but I doubt your sincerity, your just using this concern for his lease to prop up your opinion that you cant pull a GN with a 1/2 ton IMO

 

[nmu98]

Modern hitches don't require extra holes in the frame.

Your right. I googles and found a few that say no drilling.

BUT, you do need to drill a minimum of a 3 inch hole in the bed. Most likely 4 inch..... Plus the hitch weight is 140-150 pounds.

 

[Builder]

Sorry but I doubt your sincerity, your just using this concern for his lease to prop up your opinion that you cant pull a GN with a 1/2 ton IMO

I don't think that's his point at all.

NOBODY in this thread is saying a 1/2 ton can't tow a 5th wheel. That's all in your imagination.

I think Dargo's, NMU's point is that a disadvantage of leased vehicles is that you risk the expense & hassle at the end of the lease of making extensive repairs if you mount a 5th wheel.

Nobody is saying a 1/2 ton can't tow a 5th wheel. As long as it is within the safe towing limits, it's fine. The point here is that the trailer in question in the pictures is very likely to be too heavy for the O/P's 1/2 ton truck.

 

[dodge man]

Well, I will throw my hat in the ring here. I own a 1/2 ton 4x4 Dodge with a 5.7 hemi. I don't think power is an issue with most trucks for towing. Like others have said, its the axles, springs, brakes, front end parts etc that are bigger on a 3/4 or 1 ton. I have overloaded my truck on a regular basis. Today I will haul about 200 gallons of water to fill our swimming pool. I'm guessing that will overload my truck by at least 500 pounds. I've been hauling a load every day for a week now. I don't feel I'm being unsafe.

What I am doing is abusing the suspension. I'm not overloading the tranny or engine, and most likely not even the brakes, but I know the rear springs, and the rear axle are getting overworked. The problem is if you hook up a gooseneck that is to heavy, you are overworking everything. Engine, tranny, suspension, brakes, everything. The question is how much overweight will you be. I agree with others, that trailer looks heavy. If you are 500 pounds to heavy, I say go for it. If you are 1000 pounds overweight, maybe. Much heavier, and you are pushing your luck.

I have towed car trailers with a 3800lb car on them when I was younger, with no brakes on the trailer. I didn't know any better and got some bad advice also. I got away with it, but that doesn't make it a good idea.

It sounds to me like the OP has pretty good common sense, so I trust his judgement on what ever he decides.