Can a Lifted 2003 Ford F-250 Short Bed Truck Tow a Gooseneck Trailer

Question:

I have a 2003 ford f350 crew cab with 6 3/4 ft bed with a 4 inche lift will pulling a gooseneck trailer work

asked by: Don

Expert Reply:

First you have to look at what kind of lift you have on the 2003 Ford F-350. If it is a body lift, where the truck bed has been moved further from the frame then you will not be able to install a custom gooseneck hitch and would need to have something fabricated.

If it is a suspension lift where the body and truck bed are still the same distance apart as stock then you can install a gooseneck hitch. But please note that often times a lift kit will make the capacity of the truck unknown.

The other issue is that with the lifted truck you may find that you will not be able to tow the trailer level. Some gooseneck trailers have a height adjustable coupler to compensate. Otherwise you would have to raise the trailer at the back using taller suspension hangers or an over under conversion kit such as # K71-384-00 or # K71-385-00.

If the trailer is a typical V-nose gooseneck trailer then clearance would not be a problem on the short bed truck. But if it is flat at the front like a 5th wheel trailer then depending on the width you may run into clearance issues. There are offset balls that can be used for more clearance if needed.

I recommend the B&W hitch, # BWGNRK1108, and, if needed, offset ball # BWGNXA4085. The offset ball will provide another 4 inches of clearance.