GN hitches, likes and dislikes?

C4Ranch · Jun 20, 2015

What would you buy?

Anyone have this Curt?
Gooseneck for 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 - Curt C61301-52

RedNeckRacin · Jun 20, 2015

For a heavy trailer, it's the only way to tow. They work alot better with a long bed if they have a square front. For a flatbed trailer it doesn't matter. The turn better as well.

GreatWhitehunter · Jun 20, 2015

I'd look at the B&W Turnover ball. A bit clearer installation imho.

Matt

foreman Etexas · Jun 20, 2015

Yeah that's what I got the B&W turnover ball,would look at it

C4Ranch · Jun 20, 2015

How do you release the ball? Pulling the lever under the bed? Is it a one man operation?

The Curt is a flip over so there's no lever under the bed.

sldva00 · Jun 20, 2015

C4Ranch said:
How do you release the ball? Pulling the lever under the bed? Is it a one man operation?

The Curt is a flip over so there's no lever under the bed.

Yes, the lever is accessible from the wheel well on driver's side. Pull and slightly turn it to lock it in "open" mode. Then just get into bed and flip ball. Turn lever back to release pin and lock ball in place. I've had the gooseneck for awhile and its great. I got B&W because one day I'm thinking of getting a 5th wheel camper and will use their Companion 5th wheel that fits in the gooseneck hitch.

Gooseneck for 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 - B and W BWGNRK1012

The link has an installation video on the webpage.

Diamondpilot · Jun 20, 2015

I have installed about a Dozen B&W but I have never been impressed with the paint finish.

Curt and Putnam is all we use for BP stuff now and the paint on them is second to none. I would not think twice about a Curt hitch.

Chris

MikePA · Jun 21, 2015

RedNeckRacin said:
They work alot better with a long bed if they have a square front. For a flatbed trailer it doesn't matter.

I believe C4Ranch was asking about the specific hitch he posted a link to.

He bought a short bed, btw.

Just curious, why would the front of the trailer make a difference, square versus tapered?

RedNeckRacin · Jun 21, 2015

Mike, I read the thread title and saw the link, I guess I assumed he was unsure about putting the hitch in.

The front of the trailers makes a huge difference if you turn 90 for some reason. The front end of a horse trailer has a large square front end and if you don't have a long bed or a set back hitch, your cab could meet the front of the trailer unexpectedly. For a flatbed trailer with nothing on the neck, it's not a big deal to go 90 degrees or farther.

HK45 · Jun 21, 2015

The gooseneck is the way to go if towing heavy. If A bumper pull is loaded wrong and your at highway speeds it will sway all over the place.You don't get that sway with the gooseneck. I like the blue OX hitches the best since you don't have to go under the wheel well, and tire to pull a handle. With the Blue Ox everything is done inbed. Hope this helps

MikePA · Jun 21, 2015

Thanks for the explanation.

I had read C4Ranch's other thread about his new truck and knew he had bought a short bed and had mentioned Curt hitches.

We had a GN horse trailer with a short bed and got a tapered nose on the trailer. It helped with the clearance between the trailer and cab plus I moved the hitch as far back as the instructions would allow but it was still something we kept an eye on. We had the truck first and got a deal on the trailer so we were 'stuck' with both unless I wanted to buy a new truck with an 8 foot bed, which was not in the budget.

We have a different truck (8 foot bed) and horse trailer (bumper pull) now.

Personally, I'd never use a GN horse/stock trailer and a short bed again. I know others do and truck manufacturers offer them, but they're not for me.

Regarding the hitch, we had a B & W that had rails in the bed and a huge contraption with the ball in the middle I had to attach with 4 pins, insert clips in the end of each pin to keep them from sliding out. A royal pain to use and take out. I think the hitch was designed more for a fifth wheel.

My advice re: hitches is to use a turnover ball and mount the electrical connection is the sidewall of the bed.

RedNeckRacin · Jun 21, 2015

Any time mike. I did read the other thread but I didn't connect the two for some reason? :confused3: my typing while I'm on my phone is usually a bit more brief than when I'm at a computer and I think I don't explain what I'm thinking as well as I should. I only ever had an 8 ft bed and a 12 ft flatbed with a GN so I never had any issues with turning. I would def vote for the outlet in the bed of the truck though.

WM75Guy · Jun 21, 2015

C4Ranch said:
What would you buy? I have B&Ws.

Anyone have this Curt?
Gooseneck for 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 - Curt C61301-52

Both of my 2500HDs are shortbeds. My GN Sundowner horse trailer and GN 20' pipe top have V fronts. I can jack knife both 90 degrees and still not be close to the cab.

Lt CHEG · Jun 21, 2015

Diamondpilot said:
I have installed about a Dozen B&W but I have never been impressed with the paint finish.

Curt and Putnam is all we use for BP stuff now and the paint on them is second to none. I would not think twice about a Curt hitch.

Chris

I am not terribly impressed with B&W's paint finish either. I had a B&W hitch on my Chevy and while the hitch itself seemed to be of excellent quality, the side plates that mounted to the frame rapidly developed surface rust. That was a large reason why I made sure that my new truck had the factory gooseneck setup with drop in ball. My suggestion is whatever hitch you decide to use, spray a couple coats of rattle can clear coat on the plates before you install them.

r porter · Jun 25, 2015

if that plate that the ball is hinged on is in the bed and you haul bedding [or grain] that has to shoveled out you will cuss that plate every time you hit it with a shovel. a turn over ball has no plate to hit.

Scott65 · Jul 5, 2015

I have that hitch in my current truck. Honestly it's my least favorite. I've had several brands and designs. I'm not positive it's Curt though, I just don't like the design. Curt as a company is great, I'm even a dealer for them. The hitch was in this truck when I got it. It's the only one I've that that hinges. It feels good and tight until you get over about 6k pounds on it. Then it develops a little wobble at its pivot point. And it doesn't take much of this wobble when stopping 20k pounds to make you think something is coming loose. Also, no option to use the hitch extender on these if ever needed.

I've used many b&w turnover balls over the years, no complaints. Curt has a neat setup that allows you to retract the ball without climbing back in the bed. I've used that one in one of my trucks as well. A little finicky at first because I didn't apply the decal and always forgot which lever to pull which direction, in what order... And keep it greased. It sat retracted unused for a couple months and got stuck. No biggie, a light tap from underneath and it sprung back up. Probably happens to any of them

C4Ranch · Jul 5, 2015

Thanks! I'm leaning towards a turn over ball now. Curt has one I can get for <$400 and then I won't have a big plate in my bed.

Scott65 · Jul 5, 2015

Careful with Curt. Allot of times you have to buy 2 kits. A universal hitch system, then the vehicle specific mounting kit. Make sure the $400 isn't just 1 of 2

bdog · Jul 5, 2015

I have had a few BW turnover balls and really like them. Nothing but a small hole in the bed. I can flip the ball over by myself in about 30 seconds. Pull the lever in the wheel well, jump in bed and flip it, push lever back in. Just don't leave the ball in one position for months on end without taking it out because they can get stuck requiring a hammer on the bottom to get them out which is no fun. I rotate mine around maybe 4-5 times a year and have zero issues and can pull it out with no effort. A buddy left his in place for a couple years and had a heck of a time getting it out.