Recommended Gooseneck Hitch for 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with 6-1/2-Foot Bed

Question:

Im considering buying a 3/4 ton Chevy truck 2005 low mileage but it has a short bed. I have a 2005 exiss horse trailer and want to know if I can have a goose neck hitch put in this truck without any problems of trailer hitting the cab during sharp turn?

asked by: Debbie K

Expert Reply:

Short bed trucks can make 5th wheel or gooseneck towing tough since they offer less turning clearance than long beds but we do have gooseneck hitch fits for your 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with 6-1/2-foot bed. The linked diagram shows the recommended minimum clearances between truck and trailer; you can compare this to your trailer and the specified location for the ball hole when installing the B&W hitch (generally just forward of the rear axle center line). I checked out photos of several Exiss horse trailers and their design appears to offer pretty good front clearance, but it is unlikely you will be able to make a 90-degree turn. An offset ball like # BWGNXA4085 will give you 4-inches of extra clearance, which will help, but a long bed truck is preferred.

I recommend B&W's hitch # BWGNRK1067. This gooseneck hitch, shown in the linked installation video, offers 30K capacity a limited lifetime warranty and it is USA-made. Best of all the B&W allows you to easily convert to a 5th wheel towing setup by simply dropping in the mating Companion Sliding 5th wheel hitch # BWRVK3400-5W into the ball hole. When you need full access to your bed, just take out the 5th wheel hitch and invert the gooseneck ball.

For a gooseneck/5th wheel wiring harness for the truck bed you can use part # 50-97-410 from Bargman.

expert reply by: Adam R