3 inch gooseneck coupler

[Hay Dude]

Just purchased new truck rated at 43,000 GCWR. Plan in near future is to also get a 35,000lb gooseneck trailer. Anything over 30k requires a 3 ball, an upgrade from 2&5/16 ball. I am having the new truck upfitted with an aluminum flatbed and 3 ball.
My current gooseneck is 24,000lbs with 2&5/16 ball. Would like to keep this trailer useable behind the new truck, so have to change the coupler on the 24k trailer. Its a square type. I found Bulldog on line for ~ $500.
Has anyone done this?

 

[MH8675309]

Bolt and weld it. Grade 8 bolts and multi pass with the welder. Paint it when you get it done - looks better and will rust much slower. I did this on a used trailer I bought years ago. The previous owner had modified the 2" coupler by cutting most of the flange off and butt welding it onto the square tube frame - yes you read that right! I cut all of that off and bought a new coupler and welded and bolted it on - the way it was designed to be installed. I'm a good welder but have nothing to prove so I played it safe. Scary thing about it was they (previous owner) had just used this trailer to haul a Dodge Ram charger about 80 miles

 

[Hay Dude]

This is what I'm looking at as a replacement coupler
Attention Required! | Cloudflare

 

[Seven Gables]

I would think you could just buy a new square inner tube with the 3" head to slide into your existing square outer tube . No need to buy and weld a whole new outer tube on.

 

[ovrszd]

That would be my thought as well??

 

[countrybumpkin]

Can the bed not be fitted with a interchangeable ball, just switch it out, for each trailer? Sort of like the B&W turnovers have.

 

[Hay Dude]

Can the bed not be fitted with a interchangeable ball, just switch it out, for each trailer? Sort of like the B&W turnovers have.

I can ask Eby.

 

[two_bit_score]

Can the bed not be fitted with a interchangeable ball, just switch it out, for each trailer? Sort of like the B&W turnovers have.

I can ask Eby.

That was my thought when I first saw the original post.

 

[Hay Dude]

Looks like they are installing a “name brand” set up to achieve the rating I want and have it be certified. I think their shop doesn’t have anything certified over 30k yet since these newer trucks are now getting over a 30k tow rating, but that’s just a guess.
If I can get an interchangeable ball, that would be great! Far cheaper.

 

[wolfpack2]

Keeping the 2 5/16" or at least having different inner tubes allows you to use the trailer on other trucks with the more common (for now) 2 5/16" ball as well. It would also make it easier to sell in the future.

 

[ovrszd]

Keeping the 2 5/16" or at least having different inner tubes allows you to use the trailer on other trucks with the more common (for now) 2 5/16" ball as well. It would also make it easier to sell in the future.

Yeah, especially if it could be rigged up as a "Quick Change" system that required minimal wrenching!!!

 

[Hay Dude]

So after a few emails, found out Im getting a BW turnover 45,000lb hitch installed.
With that set up, you can easily interchange a 2-5/16th ball for the 3" ball.

I traded my 550 on the new truck, but still have my '08 F-350 flatbed. The 350 has a B&W turnover with a 2&5/16" ball.

 

[two_bit_score]

Glad it worked out! Nice setup on that flatbed!

 

[Hay Dude]

Glad it worked out! Nice setup on that flatbed!

Thanks. After owning flatbeds for last 15 years, I see how useful they are compared to a pickup bed. So much easier to “work out of” than a pickup bed. I really like the F-350. I use it for snow plowing, too. Being a regular cab with a flatbed, its kind of a “throwback” truck back to when 90% of trucks were regular cab.
Besides, it gives you an excuse to buy a gooseneck dump trailer if you need to carry dirt, equipment, etc

Now comes the waiting game for the 5500. With everything shut down because of CV, it could be a while

 

[Morning Wood]

So, you are going from a F550 to a gm 5500?

 

[Hay Dude]

So, you are going from a F550 to a gm 5500?

RAM 5500
I wanted the new GM 5500 or 6500 because I like the Duramax/Allison combo, but their towing and GCWR specs were silly low- not much better than my 08 F-550. I need to tow a 33,000lb trailer.