Does a Ford F-350 Long Bed with Gooseneck Trailer Hitch Need Reinforcement to Use Ranch Hitch

Question:

F350 long bed. converting 5th wheel to goose ball with the adapter. Ball in bed bolted through 8inch wide 1/4-3/8inch thick channel welded to frame rails on top of rails. What is the required sq inch reinforcement for pulling 20k with this set up?

asked by: Paul

Expert Reply:

Since the Ranch Hitch adapter # AM3100 is rated for 24,000 pounds gross trailer weight and 6,000 pounds pin weight, no additional reinforcement is required for use. Generally though when a gooseneck hitch is attached using a fabricated installation and not a custom fit kit then a 1/2 inch steel plate is used, welded and bolted to the truck frame with the hitch bolted and/or welded to the plate.

If the gooseneck installation was fabricated and it is not a custom kit then it would be up to the installer to determine the capacity and whether or not additional reinforcement is needed on the truck side.

expert reply by: Michael H