GOOSENECK:

A gooseneck hitch is designed for use in a pickup truck similar to a Fifth Wheel. The difference is that the gooseneck uses a ball and coupler verses a kingpin and pin receiver. Typically, the trailers that are most commonly used for this type of gooseneck hitch is a horse trailer. Gooseneck hitches are offered in a few types of configurations, they are designed to be mounted above or below the trucks pickup bed. Either design (above or below) allows for minimal obstruction when the ball is not in the towing position.

Fifth Wheel Gooseneck: This product is designed to mount in the rails of a Fifth Wheel for users that have both a Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck trailers.

Signature Series Gooseneck: This product takes advantage of the under bed mounting system designed for the Signature Series Fifth Wheels. When the unit is removed from the truck bed there are virtually no obstructions.

Hide-A-Goose: This product is designed to mount under the truck bed for use with a gooseneck trailer. Only a 4" hole in the truck bed is required for this product. The ball is stored upside down in the hitch when not used, with a magnetic cover to cover up the hole.

Fold-Down & Remov-A-Ball: These units mount on top of an under bed rail system. The ball is either removed or folded down for easy access.

WHY IS THE HIDE-A-GOOSE RATED AT 30,000 LBS. WHEN THE RAIL KITS ARE RATED MUCH LOWER?

Although the Hide-a-Goose is rated at 30,000 Ibs., many of the rail kits offered by various manufacturers are designed for Non-Commercial Towing. Non-Commercial Towing is defined as any vehicle any trailer combination not exceeding 26,000 Ibs. GCW. Non-commercial also means the gross vehicle weight GVW can not exceed 10,000 Ibs. Ask someone at Joes for more information on rail kits for commercial towing. These must be custom fitted.

HOW LARGE OF A TRAILER CAN I TOW?

Each truck has a published Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). This is the maximum allowable tow rating in terms of the combined vehicle and trailer weight. When the Gross Vehicle Weight GVW is subtracted, the maximum Gross Trailer Weight is revealed.

In this example, the maximum allowable trailer towing weight is 12,800 Ibs. (GTW).

GCW - GVW = MAX. GTW
2001 GMC Heavy Duty 2500 4 Wheel Drive Extended Cab
Engine: Duramax 6600
Horsepower: 300 hp @ 3100 rpm
Torque: 520 lb ft @ 1800 rpm
Transmission: Allison 5-speed Automatic
Axle Ratio: 3.73 to 1
GVW: 9,200 lbs
GCWR: 22,000 lbs
22,000 lbs GCW - 9,200 lbs GVW = 12,800 lbs GTW

COMMON TERMINOLOGY:

Base Curb Weight - The nominal weight of a vehicle with standard equipment and a full tank of fuel. It does not include passengers, cargo or optional equipment.

Commercial Towing - Any vehicle/trailer combination exceeding 26,000 Ibs. Gross Combined Weight GCW. Commercial Vehicle - Any vehicle that exceeds 10,000 Ibs. GVW.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - The actual weight of the vehicle when fully loaded. It is the base curb weight plus the cargo weight.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - The maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded vehicle.

Gross Combined Weight (GCW) - The actual weight of the vehicle and trailer combined. This weight should always be obtained by weighing the vehicle and trailer together on a scale.

Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) - The maximum weight of the towing vehicle and the loaded trailer - including cargo and passengers.

Gross Axle Weight (GAW) - The total weight supported by each axle (front or rear). To compute this weight for your vehicle and trailer combined, lake the loaded vehicle and trailer to a scale. With the trailer attached, place the front wheels of the vehicle on the scale to obtain the front GAW. To obtain the rear GAW, weigh the towing vehicle with the trailer attached, but with just the four wheels of the vehicle on the scale. The rear GAW is determined by subtracting the front GAW from that amount.

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) - The total weight each axle is capable of carrying. The total load on each axle must not exceed its GAWR.

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) - The weight of a trailer fully loaded.

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight - The maximum allowable fully loaded weight of the trailer. This weight is obtained by subtracting the towing vehicle's GVW from its GCWR.

Payload - The combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants and optional equipment that the vehicle is designed to carry. (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus the base curb weight.)

Rail Kit - The components and hardware that mount the gooseneck hitch to the vehicle frame.