need gooseneck hitch-type advice

[PoohLP]

Well, I did it. I traded in the 12yo Chevy 1500 for a 2013 F250. As part of the dealer, the dealer is paying to have the gooseneck hitch installed (Buying at the end of the month when you are the last vehicle the salesman needs to make his numbers give you some pretty good negotiating power!).

With my last truck I had a B&W pull out flip ball. It was ok - minus the inconvenience of the grease when I flipped it, but I HATED under the wheel unlocking lever. Hated it! I’d leave the ball up just so I didn’t have to pull the sucker. So, I was thinking about doing something else, but the shop the dealer is using is pretty much telling me I can have another B&W or a popup - both of which use that lever.

I’m sort of drawn to the popup bc at least I don’t have to jump in the bed and touch the greasy ball, but all I"m finding online is “moving parts = bad.” The shop says they almost exclusively do B&W and don’t do the flip/folddown plates at all, but they are willing to do the popup.

Does anyone have experience with the popup? Do you like it? Is it easy to use? Or should I just go with the dependable but annoying B&W. Either way, I’m not escaping the hated under-mount lever, so it’s sort of a toss up at this point.

[SouthernYankee]

There is a reason most people go with a B&W…

My truck has B&W and I don’t hate it, I also keep a pair of gloves handy in my truck.

[PoohLP]

I don’t mind flipping it too much - only hate the lever! But maybe I just had a tricky lever on the last one…

[Tom_King]

I’ve had a PopUp in the current truck for 14 years, and had B&W’s in the last two. I’ll get another PopUp next time. It’s still a two person job sometimes if hay or other junk gets crammed down around the ball. The B&W requires getting in the bed every time.

What’s the big deal about the handle?

[moving_to_dc]

B&W. Like another poster said, there is a reason that they are so popular.

Another benefit to B&W is the fact that you can tow a gooseneck OR a 5th wheel using the B&W system’s “Companion” hitch. Awesome hitch in all aspects, and especially because it can be removed in 2 easy-to-handle parts, vs. traditional 5th wheel hitches that weigh 150-200lbs and are extremely hard to handle.

[PoohLP]

I just have trouble working it. I can never get it into the unlocked position.

[Tom_King]

If I can’t operate it by hand, I keep an all metal fairly heavy hammer in the toolbox. Install the handle so that there is clearance to get the hammer head behind it, so you can tap it out with the hammer head while the handle of the hammer is pointed right back at you. The hammer can also be used to tap the handle in to drop the ball.

With the PopUp, I can always drop the hitch ball without getting in the bed, even if I have to reach over and tap the top of it with that long 28 oz. Estwing hammer.

Even after 14 years, when everything is clean and oiled up, it works both ways like a charm.

The newer design works even better than my old complicated mechanism, but even if they hadn’t updated it, I’d still get another one like the one I have.

[n123]

Alternative to B&W gooseneck

The new Blue Ox gooseneck is a great alternative to the B&W gooseneck. All you have to do is turn the top collar around the ball, remove and invert the ball, that’s it. No more handles in the wheel well. The round ball design allows the ball to rotate intermittently helping to keep the hitch clean. Check out their website www.blueox.com

[OTTB2]

Go with the BW hitch… Yikes 2013 f250… lots of my friends who have that year have constant problems.

[saje]

Hunh, I have a flip over and I have no problem with the lever, I can pretty much do it with on finger. And I mostly leave the ball up, unless I’m picking up lumber or something big that needs to lay flat, which is rarely. I’ve learned though to not leave it flat for too long or it’ll be a bear to pull back out. But baling twine saved the day again! (Made a sturdy handle I could really get purchase on)

[Cascades]

[QUOTE=OTTB_;8481776]
Go with the BW hitch… Yikes 2013 f250… lots of my friends who have that year have constant problems.[/QUOTE]

This is an extremely unhelpful comment given that she’s already bought the thing.

[OTTB2]

[QUOTE=Cascades;8481811]
This is an extremely unhelpful comment given that she’s already bought the thing.[/QUOTE]

Knowing before hand is better than surprises. If I were in a pinch and needed a new truck and all there was was a ford I would buy it, I wouldn’t be happy, I would expect problems but I would make do. You cant deny the facts that ford diesels of that era had TONS of issues with engine. Older fords did great and the newest models are getting there but that 2011-2015 era have their kinks…

[Cascades]

[QUOTE=OTTB_;8481873]
Knowing before hand is better than surprises. If I were in a pinch and needed a new truck and all there was was a ford I would buy it, I wouldn’t be happy, I would expect problems but I would make do. You cant deny the facts that ford diesels of that era had TONS of issues with engine. Older fords did great and the newest models are getting there but that 2011-2015 era have their kinks…[/QUOTE]

Aren’t you a sophomore in high school?

The OP did not ask your opinion of her vehicle, she asked about gooseneck hitches.

[tangledweb]

[QUOTE=OTTB_;8481873]
You cant deny the facts that ford diesels of that era had TONS of issues with engine. Older fords did great and the newest models are getting there but that 2011-2015 era have their kinks…[/QUOTE]
2013 is still the current model. The replacement is not till my2017. You did not even ask what engine she has, but I don’t believe you have “lots of my friends who have a 2013 and have constant problems.” You are just raining on somebody else’s parade

But back to the OP, you can look at the Ford/Reese one too.
http://accessories.ford.com/exterior/trailer-towing/5th-wheel-gooseneck-hitch-prep-package.html

At least for the 8’ bed it means no new holes in the bed. There are punch outs from the factory. The safety chain attach/remove is very slick. Removing the ball does mean touching grease though so you might not like it.

[Guilherme]

B&W is the Standard of the Industry. I’ve had one on my last two trucks; never had an issue with wheel well lever. I also kept it greased on a regular basis.

Yes, the “greasy ball” can be an issue but the oil/grease used is there for a reason. Eschew it for clean hands and you’ll ultimately have an unsatisfactory result.

On my first truck I had a “flip up” ball whose brand name escapes me. It had a much lower towing capacity than the B&W (likely dictated by the hinge mechanism used) and still required me to crawl into the bed to put it up or down (no actuating rod was used in the design).

Solution: Get the B&W and have the installer give you a schedule and instruction on how to keep the whole system lubed. Then buy a box of cheap, throw-away gloves and keep it under the seat. Use one whenever you need to. Problem solved!!!

G.

[OTTB2]

Just my personal take on fords because they had lots of issues for a while. I have 06 chevy and like it got it used fit my budget . No truck will never have no problems but my family has always had Chevys and so have my friends I go with what works. And when chevy screws up and Chevys go to crap I may well in a ford and love it.

[tangledweb]

[QUOTE=OTTB_;8482210]
my family has always had Chevys and so have my friends [/QUOTE]

Wait, your friends have Chevys now? This morning lots of them had a specific year of Ford. I guess after all the problems they had they all went out at lunch and traded them in.

[beau159]

OP, I don’t have any experience with this other brand you are talking about. We’ve always done the B&W.

On hubby’s older pickup, the lever sometimes doesn’t STAY in the unlocked position, so it’s sometimes a two-person job to flip the ball (one person in the bed, one person by the lever).

On our newer bigger pickup, the lever works like a charm.

Yeah, little annoying to try to not get grease on your hands when you flip it, but I just use the little medical blue disposable gloves and that keeps my hands clean.

It sure is nice to be able to flip the ball around, if you need to haul something that needs to lie flat in the pickup bed.

[QUOTE=OTTB_;8481776]
Go with the BW hitch… Yikes 2013 f250… lots of my friends who have that year have constant problems.[/QUOTE]

I’m pretty sure my parents F250 is a 2013.

It’s been great. Used heavily pulling flatbeds with tractors loaded on it; bigger loads than your average horse trailer.

[OTTB2]

[QUOTE=tangledweb;8482425]
Wait, your friends have Chevys now? This morning lots of them had a specific year of Ford. I guess after all the problems they had they all went out at lunch and traded them in.[/QUOTE]

Surprisingly one can have many friends it one of those weird things called being social I believe? It just something that us damned kids do these days when were taking breaks from smoking pot and getting drunk.

[FLeventer]

[QUOTE=OTTB_;8481873]
Knowing before hand is better than surprises. If I were in a pinch and needed a new truck and all there was was a ford I would buy it, I wouldn’t be happy, I would expect problems but I would make do. You cant deny the facts that ford diesels of that era had TONS of issues with engine. Older fords did great and the newest models are getting there but that 2011-2015 era have their kinks…[/QUOTE]

…They have been having problems with their motors since 2004. Hell I had problems with my 7.3L ford. I have a 6.0L and its considered one of the worst motors put in Ford trucks due to the issues. I have a phenomenal mechanic who keeps my truck running perfect. No issues. Ive put 140k miles on it in 2 years.

Anyways back to the thread, which is older but was bumped up by the ad guy.

Im sure OP has found a hitch. I personally like my Drawtite with lever. I can take the ball out completely and ive never had an issue removing it.