A gooseneck hitch is often fitted to prepare your vehicle for heavy-duty transportation. The heavy-duty solution increases the steadiness of your vehicle. Additionally, it ensures that the truck’s structure receives less stress from the hefty weight because of how uniformly it is distributed.
Yet such a robust solution would set you back money. Depending on the hitch’s brand, the shops’ pricing, and the make and model of your vehicle, the budget is between $800 and $1500.
Remember that there are more elements at work as well. For instance, there will be a range in the labor cost to install the gooseneck hitch. For example, stores in the Midwest will have lower prices. At the same time, prices will be higher in cities with a higher population density.
Even then, smaller stores usually have lower prices. You should also consider your truck’s ability to haul and the features you desire in a gooseneck hitch.
You’ll need to compare several brands and mechanics to get the finest deal for your money. It would help if you comprehended how a gooseneck hitch works to make a wise choice before investing in the necessary supplies.
Remember in mind that the installation processes for various gooseneck hitches will vary. While some must change the truck’s structure, others are less invasive. Let’s now discover what a gooseneck hitch is.
What is a Gooseneck Hitch?
A hitch mounted straight above the truck’s bed is called a gooseneck hitch. Traditional hookups allow for towing beyond the truck’s bumper; this is different. This positioning (in the truck bed) has been chosen to distribute the load’s stress throughout the vehicle frame better uniformly.
Given the weight of the towed item, a more uniformly distributed load results in a smoother ride and fewer potential trouble spots. This also implies that the gooseneck hitch has a higher weight capacity than conventional hitches, allowing larger loads towing with a single vehicle.
Remember that more powerful trucks with flatbeds are the only vehicles supporting gooseneck hitches. You probably won’t be able to locate any gooseneck hitches suitable for your light-duty vehicle, even if it has a flatbed. This is necessary because huge loads should never be transported by anything less than a heavy-duty vehicle.
Given that goosenecks are primarily used for commercial loads, experienced drivers are recommended to operate them. Therefore, look at additional recreational hitches and towing choices if you want to tow a boat, pull along, or anything like that. Goosenecks are often used exclusively for heavy weights.
Gooseneck Hitch Prices and Options
There are many different gooseneck hitch brands and configurations available. Like anything else, a gooseneck hitch will cost more the more features it has. The majority of hitches also include an installation kit. However, you can only locate the problem in a few rare circumstances. You may or might not save money by doing this since the store you patronize will then have to pay for the extra supplies.
An above-bed trailer hitch, which costs around $300, will be the most affordable choice. This alternative requires no alteration and is installed into the vehicle bed. With this installation type, you will have a towing capability of 25,000 pounds, which is much more than Class V.
However, you should know that this choice will occupy much room in your truck bed. The good news is that the above-bed option is usually simple to install and remove. You may not even need to use a store for this activity in certain circumstances. The labor expenses will be far lower even if you do.
The above-bed gooseneck hitches with fold-down versions are an additional choice. This design allows you to fold the hitch itself down for extra convenience. However, this costs $100–$200, similar to the one above. So, expect to pay at least $400 for this design, and don’t be shocked if you spend more than $500. The cost of convenience is that.
The below-bed gooseneck hitch is another option. You can get this sort of hitch and the installation kit from several companies for between $500 and $600. The full expense of this kind of hitch also astounds most people. The true expense is in the labor to install it, even if it only looks like a few hundred dollars extra.
It is only possible for a professional shop to install this kind of gooseneck hitch. The labor cost alone will increase rapidly depending on the time, skill, and brand.
What Labor Cost Means
When you’ve decided on a gooseneck hitch design, it’s essential to consider the installation charges. Typically, above-bed installation takes an hour and costs about $100 at any respectable store. However, below-bed hitches will cost a little extra to install.
You should spend more than two or three hours of effort installing these hitches since they demand more work. Given that the typical shop cost is $100 per hour, the additional labor costs range from $200 to $300.
Conclusion
That indicates that a gooseneck hitch typically costs between $800 and $1,500, including installation. But it all depends on the brand and design. If you choose the above-bed option, it will cost you approximately $300 and is often self-installable.
If you do visit a store, budget $100 for labor. Although the fold-down above-bed version is more practical, it costs $100 to $200 extra, or around $500. Again, if you take it to a shop, plan on paying $100 for labor.
The below-bed variant, costing $500–600, is the priciest but most robust choice. The anticipated work would take three to four hours and cost $300 to $400. The total price of the below-bed option is thus between $800 and $1,000. Despite all of this, more costly choices are still available with more functionality and durability.