Best? gooseneck hitch to buy

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I purchased a used 1998  Dodge 3500 recently. It is a beam axle 2wd with the 360 and auto4 + O.D. 3:55 rear axle.  Just an ST unit with NO power windows surplus from some local Govt around San Diego. Very clean nice old truck.  It has a fancy digital Sony radio. I can't make that thing do squat yet?   I will remove the service bed, it'll get sold off.  So next would be to add a simple flatbed and a gooseneck hitch.  Uses will be haul a 2-3 Horse trailer with living Quarters to go to the goat shows, and for the ranchita  have a gooseneck flatbed with no more than 12K capacity, probably about 18- 20' long.   No real heavy stuff but overkill capacity for this hitch is aok. Most uses>  Haul the tractor to places, go get pipe etc. I see Reese,  BW  and others offer a frame mounted turn over unit for about $400+. Am I on the right track? sumthin' I need to know? Brand loyalty.  Made in USA etc?Yup the docs ok'd this... go do what ya' want to do they say... and I got a 19 year old Marine helping me some.  He has become my right hand. New father, needs some walk around money, raised on a Illinois farm, capable, serious,  and a real good young fella. He gets to clean the chassis, change the plugs etcLast edited by PapaLion; 08-15-2011 at 09:32 AM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:B&W is the best. I'd look on eBay. For your model truck, you should be able to score one for $250. Look on craigslist too. I see used B&W's for sale all the time.
Reply:The local carhauler uses the BW turn over ball hitches with his pickups with no problems. He just brought a 3 car wedge to the shop with all 3 axels bent bad but no issues with the BW hitch. With thirty years of welding and fixing his trailers and equipment I know he gives every piece the ultimate torture test.
Reply:I agree that the B+W is the best. However if you're putting a flat bed on then it should come with a goose neck hitch. Most have a trap door but we have one that has the B+W type turn over ball built in and I put one in another flat bed we have.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:B&W hands down. I talked with them a while back on some issues not really related to their hitches and they are an excellent company to deal with. Besides making the finest hitches they run a very good company.Call around before dropping your coins. When I had mine installed I checked the internet/Ebay and ended up finding out the local diesel/truck shop beat everybody's price. They also were the most reasonable on installations costs since I let them do it. AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:B& W it'll be... and I'll check with a local installer who did  a friends 5th to see if he can do it.  Buy local, buy American.  Thanks guys.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Already been said, but just to reinforce it, B&W is the best. I haul fairly heavy (tractors and horses), the B&W is worth every dollar.
Reply:I have a Cody hitch in my 2000 Ford i have pulled a 26,000Lb carry deck crane on dual tandem trailer on that hitch several times and i wouldn't trade it for the world.but B+W would be my second choice.I personally wouldn't consider the Reese or draw tight hitches.   I have never had much luck with them.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Dualie posted to me that there is a  flatbed with the gooseneck built in?  That might be just the ticket.  I figure the gooseneck must bolt to the frame over the rear end... Any thoughts on a brand  for those to look at?Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:First I'd find the flat bed and see what it has. As I stated in my first post nearly all are setup for a goose ball (at least around here).Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:I second everyone's opinion on the BW turnover hitch. I've had it on 3 different cummins pickups, and wouldn't trade it for anything! I no longer have my GN trailer, so I don't have one on my '10 but the time is coming soon to get one again, and in my mind, there's no reason to even consider anything but the BW.Miller: 200dx, Bobcat 225, Passport, Powermax 45, Milwaukee: Dry Saw, MagDrill, grinders
Reply:NEVER go to the Inet for a li'l info.   Never ask the ? hmm could  I have a gooseneck and a 5th wheel set up together on one truck?... sounds so EZ when U say it like that now doesn't it?  sheesh.  Oh, then never notice those air ride set ups and wonder IF they are really as good as folks claim.  Then you could also decide to look into the design of various 5th wheel hitch heads.  Two choices and worse than a Ford ~ Chevy war.Jus' a li'l flatbed with a hitch becomes a $15,000 extravaganza of delight with over 70 cu feet of storage and recessed 5th wheel hitch.   Bragging rights are beyond believe should you decide to purchase this behomoth.    I'm still head scratching and  looking at pictures and specs.   My 3500 cheap to me truck might become a spendy overweight hog so easily... this will be resisted at all costs.Meanwhile B&W has a bolt on the frame  turnover and weld onto the bed turnover gooseneck. Both are simple, EZ to install and look aok... jus' don't ever whisper the words  5th wheel too?  or you'll be sorry. Doc says I'm breathin' as of Friday afternoon.... it is really amazing  how much perception these wizards have now isn't it?    I took my wife shopping most of Saturday in beautiful COOL San Diego... womens clothing stores... plain scary places if U ask me.For me,  go to Sears... buy 4-5 pair of Levi 501s... get  3-4 blue denim shirts from anywhere,  these replace the 2-3 which caught on fire, got holes ripped in them beyond wearing etc. Hopefully these are on sale and  preferrably Levis... add two long sleeve shirts with some color for going to dinner.   One new pair of boots every other season and a new belt from Red Wing made in USA and real leather.  Hats are free from suppliers, i need 2-3 a year.  Some are great some are throw aways. Total annual costs ~ $500 or less.  Hitch costs  $200 to over $15K.I deduce, it is much easier to dress than to buy a hitch for my truck.Last edited by PapaLion; 08-21-2011 at 08:33 AM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:15k $ hitch? Maybe should be considering a Peterbilt.Is that a blue heeler there in your profile picture? Don't forget seat covers so he can ride along with you.The air bags are supposed to be nice but I don't have them on mine and it hauls just fine. Not really sure how they do it...make it ride pretty good unloaded and able to load it up and not point the headlights to the sky.AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:Kellie likes to ride outside in the bed. she doesn't like the cab really.  I have a mat for her, and a short leash hitch for her. I snap her in  so she cannot fall or jump out.  She can just reach the edge of the bed on each side.  She will ignore cars, small trucks etc... BUT, when a semi goes by she comes unglued and tries to engage it in mortal combat.  Crazzeee Kellie actually.$15k is the whole complete deluxe Westerner type bed with more storage than my house has. Attached ImagesLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:flat bes here are 50/50 for having a ball recess.  The factory built almost always have them.  just put your ball in and go.  some covers are just hinged to lay open when in use and lay closed when not.  some covers are designed to open alittle and then slide under the bed to be "hid away"  I find the first to be simpler.  I have seen some homebuilt that are recessed and they typically mimic the factory built.  Now as far as homebuilt I have seen balls welded to the deck of the bed, to beind welded to a plate that is bolted to the deck and then various 5th wheen rail set ups with homemade/storebought gooseneck plates and then some have b-w style balls. I would wait till I found or built a bed first.  That western hauler bed would be an interesting build if someone were to try copying it.
Reply:If you are going the flatbed route I would just have a bed built and have the hitch made in with it. I put a flatbed on my 98 dodge 3500 and had it made, and installed (with a gooseneck hitch) for 1500$. Your bed is going to be built with channel iron running the length of the rails with smaller channel crossmembers. So your hitch will be recessed under the bed.(Mine has a hinged door) to get to it. My hitch is 1.25x6in solid steel. Mine is welded to the frame (I would bolt it) with the channel runners from the bed set on top of it and the bed is welded to the hitch as well as bolted to the frame. Some beds have the hitch just made into the bed.  If your wanting a bed with skirts and toolboxes and all youregoing to have to pay some $$$$. The bed could cost more than the truck itself, but a simple flat bed should be easy to make or have made. If you remove the bed you will notice that the frame already has a flat spot with 4 punched holes over the rear axle. When I was without a bed a made a hitch with 1/2 in plate with a piece of 3x3x1/4 in angle welded under the bottom beside the ball. I believe the plate was about 16-18 inches wide and the width of the frame. I used the existing holes in the frame an attached it with grade 8 hardware and it never gave me any problem. I hauled 18k+ lbs. with it and it never sagged or gave at all. If you ,r anybody for that matter, decide to make one it needs to be placed about 6 inches in front of the center of the rear axle.
Reply:I'm mostly oogling the possibles here... the end result will be some flatbed about 8' long and I'll probably buy the B& W  bolt on frame turnover unit, then cut the bed to fit it.   Things I should carry with me would be  a spare, some simple tools, straps etc for the trailer.  I just figure to learn some and see what fellas have done first, before I buy.  I did find a nice Drake/Canada made 8' bed locally with a nice headache rack, one box under bed etc... for a grand and this could be negotiated some maybe.  Tomorrow we'll pull the service bed off and then get out the tape measure.  My weldng skills  and energy level would not be ok for building an enitre bed... Adding a feature that is not critical/structural... sureOne?  Wstmrlnd89639   The gas tank looks like it goes above the frame rails on my '98 3500?   Does yours? if so, how's the clearance there? & what does the flatbed final height work out to?    Ya' can't install/use  a 5th wheel if it is way up high I suppose.   Got pics of that bed?  I'd like to see one on a similar truck.Last edited by PapaLion; 08-21-2011 at 01:25 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by PapaLionI'm mostly oogling the possibles here... the end result will be some flatbed about 8' long and I'll probably buy the B& W  bolt on frame turnover unit, then cut the bed to fit it.   Things I should carry with me would be  a spare, some simple tools, straps etc for the trailer.  I just figure to learn some and see what fellas have done first, before I buy.
Reply:Ok. You want pics here they are. Please be patient since this is going to take several posts to get them all up. I've got three sample beds that cover most of the territory here so lets get started.  First up to bat is the fifth wheel to gooseneck adapter. This is a commercial model which is ok though I've seen home made ones that I like a lot better. Just be sitting down when pricing this commercial model. These are real popular around here since most people have gooseneck hitches already.  Next shows the common trap door as implemented by J&I. I should pause here to note that we are a little different from the normal crowd here. My dad runs the ball on the trailer on most of his rigs. This comes from years ago when his best friend used to do the same. I'm not positive who came up with this setup but I think it was WW tried it back in the 70's. We've stuck with it because it's much superior to hook up compared to the normal.  Anyway back to our regular programming. In the trap door you can see our reverse hitch and the receiver I originally installed to take the removable ball. When I moved this bed to it's current truck I shortened it to fit the short bed format and was forced to move the ball back. Thus the second receiver for it in the bed. The next pics show the ball and the latch in locked and unlocked position for the ball.  More to come on this truck. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Ok on with the show.  Here's a overall shot of the bed. I installed the hay spears on it years ago. When I moved it to this truck I shortened the bed, skirted it, and sunk the side tool box (which I built many years ago for another application) into the bed 3".   Last pic is my daughter the of the current boss of this truck who was impatient to get going to church while I was taking these pics. She's also the reason I put steps all the way around the skirt on this bed. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:I like that wrap around step.  I think I am going to implement that on the next flat bed I have.
Reply:Irish,I like the heck out of that removable ball concept. Extremely simple (no dis intended) and extremely effective and functional."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:smart dog, doesn't like speeding truckers.
Reply:Now on to the next truck.  This bed was mounted on this truck when we bought it. It also came with a B&W hitch installed in the bed. I made a female receiver to replace the standard ball for our style hitch and added to latch to the top of the bed. You can still change it out for the ball but it's a little bit of trouble if it's been in place for a while so I didn't for the pics.   A little more history on this bed. As I stated it was on the truck when we bought it. A few years ago my nephew wanted to get into pipeline welding so dad bought a old welding truck with a very fully equipped bed and 93 SA200 on it. They traded trucks (the green ford in the previous pics was my nephews) so that he could have this dually. I then had to move the welding bed to this truck and modify it to fit. (I'll be posting some pics of this bed in another post after I get through here). After driving around like this for a couple of years and never pipeline welding with it I ended up having to remount this bed back onto this truck. Thus the mounting of the bed is not fully my design.   Many more pics of this bed coming.   Ok back to the real program. The first pic shows the hitch as it normally sits. The second pic shows the latch handle. The third pic shows the ball that can go into the receiver.   The fourth pic shows the front mount. I'm not super fond of the use of channel iron here but this was what was on the bed when we got it. You can see that they had to notch it to clear the tank. If you used square tubing the way I normally do you don't have to notch. You can also see that I replaced the original factory mount here. Two reasons here. One the original was busted out on the top (common with these). Second I had to cut the factory mount off to clear the welding bed. Anyway this is the way I fix these mounts when they break out on the top. Note that I only weld the new mount to the base of the original mount so none of my welds are on the frame itself.   The fifth pic shows the washer that is absolutely essential if you use the factory mounts. This one is on the second bed mount from the front. That's the other this is that it's essential that you use both sets of mounts when mounting the bed. Not using this mount and using the washer is the reason the original front mount was broken to begin with. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:On with the show.  In this set you can see some more pics of the notching of the mounting channel. Second pic is the bottom of the B&W hitch. Third is the passenger side front mounts. Fourth is the rear mounting.  Last pic in this post is of my hay spike design in the open position. I came up with this design years ago and have installed a fair number in factory flat beds. The one in the previous truck is very similar.   More pics coming. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htmHere they are  This hay lift was a special challenge because of the factory design on the license plate holder. I had to jump through a few hoops to get the cylinder mount strong enough to hold up.   The last pic is of the swing out design of the tray to hold the pump for the spike. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Ok here's the next truck. This truck is my step mothers and is a 05 Mega Cab. The bed is a semi custom western hauler style.  A few weeks back dad told me I was going to have to mount a fifth wheel hitch on it since they had traded her brother out of a camper and they where going to have to go to south Texas to get it. Thus I modified this bed to accept a standard Reese hitch. The real problem with this truck is the lack of bed space behind the bed. Notice in the second pic that I had the standard gooseneck ball mounted in front of our style hitch. A close look at the first pic will show that dad managed to get one of our stock trailers into the headache rack on the passenger side with that ball mounted there. Thus I had to move the fifth wheel hitch much further back than I wanted to just to keep him from tearing the camper up. The second pic also shows the slots I put in the bed for the Reese hitch. The third pic shows the reinforcement under the bed for pinning the Reese hitch in place. This was a bear to get in place with the bed mounted. Once they got down there they found out that the trailer already had to gooseneck adapter on it so found a welder down there to move the ball back in the bed. The last two pics shows the mounting of the bed on the truck. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott YoungI like that wrap around step.  I think I am going to implement that on the next flat bed I have.
Reply:The fuel tank does set a little higher than the frame rails. Mine is a diesel, but I would imagine that the tank is probably the same. You have to remember that your bed will probably hace c channel runners and crossmembers so this will elevate the bed above the existing fuel tank. The bed I had taken off the truck had 6 in. runners and 4 in. crossmembers and it made the bed to high for my liking. So I had them use 4 in runners and 2 or 3in crossmembers of a heavier wieght on my new one and it looked much better IMO. I'll try to get you a pick or two after while. Its nothing fancy but I like it.
Reply:This is getting good. I will include some pics of the old service bed being removed.  I like the 5th wheel to gooseneck hitch adapter... yup, for my needs  no cause to have a big heavy 5th wheel hitch in the bed.  That would save a lot of effort and should do fine for me with some small light 25 foot tin box  if I ever join the ranks of the the wandering and lost white headed  foolish souls.  I'm going to study these pics, thanks much... it'll all make more sense after the bed is gone I think.  I would look good in a brand new Dodge  diesel and that big time bed huh?   Even the Canadians would have to tip their hat and say "some nice bed,  betcha that's a pretty penny eh?"   I would simply kick a little sand, put on a liars smile  and say sumthin' like  "Aw shucks, all the Texas fellas have 'em, no big deal."  Not to be, I'm darned lucky to find this truck and just get her up to par for my li'l  ranchita.    ps: re parts and pieces stashed... uh, I did, in a moment of weakness several years ago,  buy a double ram and the hydraulic pumper (pretty much as U have there)... It was previously installed for a 3.5 yard small dump.  It is very complete, has all the stop switches etc etc... hmm I don't need a hay spike, we don't roll hay here we're still baling,  but a mini dump would be some fun and handy huh?  I'm going to slow down here, maybe biting off too much for the moment, a BED on it of any kind would be the priority. Daughters, I got three.. go figure.... love the nice blue church dress, and the boots.  She is a Texas girl for shore.  soups on gotta go. thanks much for the pics and info fellas..Last edited by PapaLion; 08-21-2011 at 10:38 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:The adapter is a good way to go if you've already got a gooseneck hitch. That one is on a 36' monster of a trailer.   Dump is doable but lots more work mounting the bed.  She's pretty much Texas throughout. She's had her own cattle since 16 and has been doing nearly all the feeding and taking care of them and dads this year since my dads had some problems with his knee and shoulder (he fell with a sack of cake earlier this year). This drought has been tough. I just got one of dads wells back to pumping last weekend after two full weekends of trying to clean it and deepen it. He's got another that I've got to get around to but it's going to be harder since it's deeper and has a windmill instead of a sub pump.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:I wish I would've had a spear bed when I was a youngin'. Would've saved me freezing my tale feeding on an open top tractor.Ranger 250 GXTSmith Gas Axe
Reply:I can remember when dad first went to the round bails. All we had was a trailer with a hand crank winch. I hauled all the bails out of the field with that trailer.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:This drought has taken it's toll for all you guys.  I'm hoping some of the early fall hurricanes will leave you with some rain.  Corpus might suffer  but the whole state is in rough shape from all I've heard.  The only good news if you can hold on is about 9 months from now beef will be spendy.   My second daughter has the knack for Ag, she has a Voc Ag degree. She herds three grandkids of mine now which is a full time task for her.  The oldest is into fashion heavily and the baby is a Doc, graduates finaly in January. Her name is Dorothy so I call her Dr. Dot these days.     As for the hoist stuff, I was just there, the hydraulics were for sale, the price was very reasonable and I bought it.   I've looked at a lot of one ton dumps since and there are several ways to go.   I don't NEED it but it would be a fun project.   I  would like about 3 feet of headache rack and stable deck near the cab and then 5-6 feet x 8 for the dumping flat.Here's a neat one:[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oHIkIpxVZ4[/ame]Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Yeah there's a lot of guys getting rid of all there cattle right now. Dad's stubborn and won't do it but getting through the winter is going to be tough. He's about fed up his hay reserves feeding through the summer when they should of been grazing.   That's a nice dump bed there. I can see where it would be handy around a small farm.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Hmmm we got lots of hay... it's the fuel to get it to Texas that is the rub.  Now is the time here... it's about 4th cutting and  so not as good, lower $ but fine for cattle... maybe it goes $220 or so a ton.I buy 2nd cutting before it flowers... then I sell mine all season at market and get even.  That way I get the hay, tarp it and got the best for meWeight of truck with 1/2 tank of gas before the removal ~ 6660 poundsWeight of truck with the bed removed                              ~ 5360 pounds Service Bed Weight 1300 pounds The truck has become a jackrabit at stop lights.    Took zactlee 2 hours to remove this bed.  With a li'l help Note Southern Ca and Az truck  No, ZERO rust anywhere and it is  13 years old.   May be hot but we got no rot. Attached ImagesLast edited by PapaLion; 08-22-2011 at 03:50 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:The hauling is the problem. The numbers just don't add up once you get the hauling. You can't make enough on the cattle to come out ahead. Dads having some CRP baled to try and get him through the winter. But that's not got any protein so he'll have to go heavy on the cake to make it work.   Nice looking bed and truck. It looks a lot like the bed on the truck I just bought to turn into a trailer. I've got to do a little work on my bed. It's got a few loose welds and hinges that need some tune up. But I got the whole truck for $800 so I'm not complaining. There's enough pieces missing from the engine that I'm not going to even try and get it running. I couldn't afford the fuel for it anyway (it's a 460).Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:I ordered the B&W turnover this morning.   It was 116+ at noon. I welded up a temporary holder for the gas inlet pipe. I started at 6 and by  9 am I was soaking wet and some delirious. Ok I'm sick and all but sheesh it was beyond me for sure. I finished and then quit, got a water,  and went and sat in the shade with my buck goat TroublemMaker.  We discussed the pleasures of cool breezes thru Palo Verdes, how there was never enough pellets handed out at dinner,  and how cute the does had become.  And tomorrow I'll hang a tail lite and a plate... We don't want the Local sheriff to be  eyeballin' me.  That'll give time for some head scratching.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:I hear you about the heat. It's getting real old around here.  Glad to hear you're getting it in usable condition.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:After a quick pressure wash at the ranchita yesterday,  I took it over to my bud/mechanic and we got the carrier bearing and three driveshaft UJoints replaced.   His son, who just got out of HS did all of the dirty work with Dad supervising.  He'll be a great mechanic in a few years.  This young fella also is a very keen round track driver and runs modifieds.  They have built up two cars, one with a Harris chassis and  the tow rig is a F650 dlx and a 52 foot trailer.  Way fun. i'm hoping he gets to pavement and we'll get to see him run.  He fears nuthin'Meanwhile my bud installed the B& W turnover with a little help from me.   So that's done and I'm measuring for what I want to do with the bed. Attached ImagesLast edited by PapaLion; 08-27-2011 at 05:45 AM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Nice.Ranger 250 GXTSmith Gas Axe
Reply:Looking good. Lot's easier to install without a bed in the way.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Your truck sets up like it has a solid front axle? If it does than i believe it is a cab and chassis truck. Mine is the same way. Anyway, you probably already know this, but if it is a cab and chassis the rear end is 6-8 inches narrower and the frame is longer  than a standard dually. Something you might want to consider when buying a bed. The standard 2wd dually used IFS. I'm sure someone on here could tell you exactley the difference. Is yours a 12 vavle or a 24 valve? They made both in 98.
Reply:Hi Wst>  yup mine is a beam axle,  has a piece of pipe welded in the front where the IRS might be   Just like 1947 I think  Cab & Chassis originally probably a Govt truck, county etc.... service bed added and then I took it off.  I'd like to see what U did with yours? I'm lookin' at what fellas have done successfuly.Yup C&C rear width  is narrower and chassis a bit longer... the pickup bed with extended fenders won't fit either.  Aok, I want a small flatbed of some kind.  Used if I can find it, I'm in no real hurry and it might take a while to locate or build one I like.  With help... building is very possible... I have two good shops local willing and able. Ok, I'm having real fun today... I thought? it would be a simple thing to go  find a gooseneck wieght calculator and get a ballpark idea of zactlee what this thing should/could safely tow?  Hmm nah... that would be too EZTruck is  98 Dodge 3500 2wd Std cab with  beam axle Cab & Chassis and a 5.9L gas engine a 4 speed + O.D (I'm still nailing down the zact # for the tranny... More or less a 727 with a long OD at about 69%.  Rear end  is a 3:55 which is aok by me for the gas.I chose gooseneck vs 5th wheel because it is lighter for one thing.  Now with a light bed the basic truck  should finish at at about  6K#  +/- 200#.   The B&W gooseneck far exceeds the capacity of the truck. Exact specs/capacity  for a '98 3500 so far I've not found but I have found 2002 C&C similar with same equipt and rear end. GVWR:  10500#  (some published #s  go as high as 12500#   (these would be the optomists among the Dodge boys I suppose)GCWR: 15,000#   (I've found 14K to 19K depending on year). Curb weight of the truck:  5950# including the bed when installed.  It is 5500# right now with the B&W on it  but no bed.  GAWC front axle: 4500#GAWC  rear axle: 7500# My WAG from several calculators for 5th wheels etc...is with a 12k capacity gooseneck trailer weighing 3200#  I could load about 8K#.No wonder RV guys/5th wheelers get in such a mess... it is confusing even if UR good with math and got the computer to look stuff up.Things I discovered on the way>  Tongue weight is absolutely the closest  guarded secret for a trailer mfg. Under NO circumstances do you publish that or even MENTION it, loaded or empty?  Trailer weight empty is #2 best held secret.  The worst offenders are horse trailer builders with beautiful  pics of LQ and  kids on horses.No need to get technical or waste a lot of time today... There is still a bed to figure and do and  I'm musing more than anything... eventually a trailer will show up and then I'll have to decide what to do ? What if??? the bed was a simpe headache rack and shorty flatbed about 4' long, steps to get up on it and some tie downs.  Then make a hinged or  removeable service panel about 2' long  for the B&W to check torques regularly ... eyeball it etc  This could go full width and cover the tires and be at the bed height.   Then after the Turnover access panel >  go 2-3'  to the rear with some plate and a panel for lights... I'd have room for sacks of feed etc behind the cab, maybe a spare bolted down and a small tool box.    Class 4 hitch is on it already.  Just ruminating.Last edited by PapaLion; 08-28-2011 at 05:52 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Id guess around 6500-6700 lb. with a bed on it. Mine is a carbon copy of yours, but with a diesel and 5 speed, 4.10 rear, and its 7300lb +/- 200lb with a flatbed. Ive grossed about 25k lb. with my truck and a tri axle gooseneck. Wasn't to bad as long as you have good trailer brakes. I'll try to get you a pic, but no promises. My wife is in the hospital waiting on the arrival of our new son and she has the camera. But I'll see what I can do. Its funny, your truck reminds me of mine when it didn't have a bed and just a gooseneck hitch. I drove it like that for a year. It beat me to death.
Reply:I found a pic a my truck on my wifes facebook page. Its not very good but I guess it will give you an idea on what it looks like until I can take some better ones. Attached Images
Reply:We want pics of the baby... trucks can wait  Hope it goes very well for you. thanks for the photo.Diesels tote more weight for sure... I'm not going to pull a 4 car trailer jus' a li'l LQ 2-3 horse GN and then something like a car trailer maybe a GN  to move toys like the tractor.  Yup, it bounces a bit for now sheesh. BretLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:I located and bought a used flatbed... not spendy and should be interesting to fit it nicely. We'll pick it up next week.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Great. Need pics of course.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Will do Irish... hoping you are not too smoky there?   This they say is the worst draught in 50 years... sheesh.The bed has a wood deck so that'll get stripped out, then  do some sandblasting (my 19 year old gung ho marine bud will be the blaster, he needs $ for his new baby   and then I'm thinking dark grey for the color.   Set the spare vertical at the right  front of the bed.   Bed size is 80" x 108" or thereabouts so it'll leave some tire sticking out on both sides, about 1/2 a width 3-4 " so I'm figuring either a fender or a rubber  fender... we'll see.  Redo the wood bed, have access for the B&W.  pics in a while for sure.   I go to the Doc thursday, they'll run me thru two days of testing  and we'll see if this chemo has done any good,  maybe so, maybe not. Either way this keeps my head into a project or I'd go bananas.Anderson in Houston is still on standby,  we've talked and they will see me pretty much whenever I decide to go... for now that's on hold.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools