Gooseneck hitch welded to truck frame

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I was truck shopping. Found one I kinda liked.Looked in the bed and saw a hitch ball and it wasn't a b&w or fold over style. That made nervous. So I looked at the frame and....hitch was welded to the frame. I walked away. My question is, is it really a bad thing to weld a hitch to the frame. I have always heard its a big no no. The welds on this one looked really good but it totally put me off buying that truck. Am I buying into an old welders tale or am using sound judgement on this?Ranger 250 GXTSmith Gas Axe
Reply:My first welding truck had the hitch made out of 12" channel welded to the top of the frame. The man that owned the truck would haul 10 tons of feed on a  dual tandem trailer, once a week. It held up fine.On the other hand, I have put quite a few gooseneck hitches on trucks through the years and have never welded one on.
Reply:Originally Posted by MrLeadManI was truck shopping. Found one I kinda liked.Looked in the bed and saw a hitch ball and it wasn't a b&w or fold over style. That made nervous. So I looked at the frame and....hitch was welded to the frame. I walked away. My question is, is it really a bad thing to weld a hitch to the frame. I have always heard its a big no no. The welds on this one looked really good but it totally put me off buying that truck. Am I buying into an old welders tale or am using sound judgement on this?
Reply:Well you would likely loose any rust through warranty and maybe frame warranty as well. Other than that, if it's propperly welded it could certainly be strong enough. I've done dozens and never welded one tho. I have welded on some rear hitches tho, especially on larger trucks.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:IMHO it depends on how the hitch was welded. If just welded to the top flange then I don't like it. However if they took a strap down the side of the frame and welded it near the center then I've got less of a problem with it. It's mostly about creating stress points than can start a crack. If don't properly then there won't be much chance of it happening. If done wrong then it's almost guaranteed.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 one was strapped down the sides. Looked like 1/2 inch plate cut in a tapered shape with a large radius on the corners. The design, fit and welding looked good from everything I've been taught, it's just the "don't weld to frame" I keep hearing in my head. Not to mention the truck in question is 2 wheel drive and I really need a 4x4.Ranger 250 GXTSmith Gas Axe
Reply:I had a 78 chevy and a 91 chevy both with welded on hitches.  No problems with either.  Both were installed by a trailer place in town and that guy had done hundreds with no issues.  My latest truck has the B&W system.  If is looks as good as you say I would go after it.Dan D.Manipulator Of Metal
Reply:Depends a lot on the truck. Older trucks welding on the frame was no problem. New trucks often use high tensile, heat treated frames to cut weight yet still provide extra strength over older frames. These generally shouldn't be welded on as there are some very specific procedures for doing this that are often beyond when the average welder can do. You'll very often see stickers on newer heavy truck frames specifically stating NOT to weld on the frame for this reason. Anything made in the last say 10 years I'd be really leery about welds on the frame that are not factory..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:36Kpsi to 50Kpsi are generally ok to weld on, provided you keep the welds to the center of the channel/web.  Stay out of the flanges."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I have not seen it done on any newer trucks since the B&W are so popular and cost effective but back in the 90's every truck I saw with a gooseneck hitch had it welded on. I even welded a couple on myself. Used them for many years with heavy loads and no problems. Personally I would not recommend doing it today with the other options on the market but I see no problems with it if it is done properly.
Reply:Hello MrLeadMan, I can't speak to 5th wheel hitches, but so far as back-end types the ratings for a #6000 vs. a #10000 hitch are often whether one is welded or bolted. The bolted hitch is rated for #6000 and the same hitch bolted/welded is #10000. Certainly, the manner in which they are welded on are is specified by the manufacturer so that these ratings apply. So you can take that for what it's worth. Those ratings are applied by the DOT in Washington. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Thanks for the info everyone. Think I'm going to pass on the truck, it really isn't what I need right now.Ranger 250 GXTSmith Gas Axe
Reply:Just happened to have a GOOD example of how NOT to do it show up today. 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:Our new work truck had a 5th wheel half bolted in and half "welded". Most of the welds I just broke off with a hammer but one stuborn one needed a few seconds of grinder in order to be whacked off with a hammer.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:Here you go. 24, 240 pounds on the trailer which weighs 7340 empty:It's why that hitch is welded.Thanks,SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:My father in law bought a new to him 2012 chevy and took it to a trailer place for a goose neck ball. As soon as I looked at it I cringed. They ran a couple pieces of square tube across the rails welded the tubes to the frame didn't even grind the rust proofing off.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Originally Posted by SlobHere you go. 24, 240 pounds on the trailer which weighs 7340 empty:It's why that hitch is welded.Thanks,
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammA 30,000lb rated hitch from the factory, for aftermarket installation, generally has the correct number/size bolts to provide enough shear strength, and clamping force, to handle the rated capacity.  I'd feel confident installing per directions.I mean,,,,,,,,your suspension on the truck is bolted/riveted.
Reply:pretty much every commercial available heavy duty truck suspension is bolted to the frame rails.    HD trucks you can order in anywheelbase you want in 1" incraments all the way up to 400" in some cases.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:We have a '07 chevy with a turn over ball that pulls a 24' cattle trailer and a 25' flatbed 170,000 mi with no problemsMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:IIRC, a friend that once worked for Freightliner in Portland ORE. told me that "shoulder bolts" had to be driven in with a minimum of a 4 lb. hammer. All suspension mounting boltholes were reamed to a perfect fit of Bolt to hole. That's the way I have mounted fifth wheels and lift axles for many years. With no welding on frame rails.
Reply:Originally Posted by 12V71IIRC, a friend that once worked for Freightliner in Portland ORE. told me that "shoulder bolts" had to be driven in with a minimum of a 4 lb. hammer. All suspension mounting boltholes were reamed to a perfect fit of Bolt to hole. That's the way I have mounted fifth wheels and lift axles for many years. With no welding on frame rails.
Reply:I would never weld anything to a frame! 12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:I haven't seen a frame yet that wasn't welded. They are welded at the factory from 1/2 - 1 tons at the  seams and some extensions,(and they ain't pretty!)
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianCI haven't seen a frame yet that wasn't welded. They are welded at the factory from 1/2 - 1 tons at the  seams and some extensions,(and they ain't pretty!)"It ain't purdy but she'll hold!"12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:Originally Posted by VPT"It ain't purdy but she'll hold!"
Reply:I've been welding gooseneck hitches to truck frames for about 15 years. I've done at least 10 of them. Never had one issue. I still use the very first one I did on my 98 2500 Chevy. Even built it to work with a 3" body lift. I've hauled backhoes, cattle trailers, miscellaneous things, and up to 19 5x5 rolls of hay and never one single issue. For most people, buying a bolt in hitch is the best option due to skills. I've seen homemade hitches that I can't believe have held up and I've also seen some that are well built. To this day gooseneck mfg installs the gooseneck hitches they build in house, and weld them on with no problems. My wife's truck has a b&w and I like the way it is built. I'll probably never use it, but it's there just in case.
Reply:Newer trucks would scare me more than older ones because they push the designs and material furtheralong with the newer alloys it hard to say how everything will reactMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:I have a 2000 F550 and a 2006 F350. Both have pulled goosenecks with two 12,000 lbs axles since new. We won't mention a few of the loads. Both have welded hitches. How do people that not weld on frames extend them when needed. Its still done everyday on heavy duty trucks. I also have a 28-1/2 flatbed on a tandem dump that has still not cracked since it was extended in 1979 when it was purchased new by the original owner.
Reply:Because some people know what they are doing and most don't....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterBecause some people know what they are doing and most don't....zap!
Reply:I am not saying it cant or shouldn't be done. But it takes a little more knowledge than many have. I am sure someday we will have someone show up on this site wondering why they cant get some steel part welded to one of the aluminum f-150s cause people b have been welding to truck frames for everMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshopI am not saying it cant or shouldn't be done. But it takes a little more knowledge than many have. I am sure someday we will have someone show up on this site wondering why they cant get some steel part welded to one of the aluminum f-150s cause people b have been welding to truck frames for ever