I don't know a whole lot about the B&W or the factory Ford gooseneck hitches. Just looking for some opinions and/or pros and cons from people with experience with one or the other. When I bought my truck I was expecting a Ford hitch in the bed (I did not ask for it specifically), but when I went to pick it up....SURPRISE!! there was a B&W hitch back there. Now I'm wondering if the dealer cheaped out on me or did me a favor.
B&W vs. OEM gooseneck hitch
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He did you a favor.
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I order my truck with the factory fifth wheel and gooseneck. I did not want my bed and the wiring harness being cut up by a novice.
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I chose the B&W hitch. Thats all they do is make hitches so I figured they would be the better choice. So far I have been very pleased. My fifth wheel camper is converted to a goose neck hitch and I have pulled it allot.
It's good to hear the positive comments about the B&W. I know they have a good reputation, I was just under the impression that the factory hitch was supposed to be a good one. I don't have any complaints about the B&W hitch right now, I was just afraid that after a while in the winter salt up here the handle and locking mechanism would stop working properly/easily over time due to rust. I did treat everything with fluid film last fall, and will continue to use it every fall in hopes it will prevent issues with the hitch as well as other rust and corrosion related problems.
Thanks for the feedback!
Thanks for the feedback!
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208 Posts
No worries b&w has a lifetime warranty
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Sounds like rust affecting the function of the hitch is a non-issue. I have to agree about the powder coating on the brakets...it seems pretty good. in thinking about it some more it's in a pretty good spot too and most of it isn't subjected to direct sandblasting from the tires. Seems like the general consensus is it'll be fine and I should quit worrying about nothing. That's good...I have enough other things to worry about. Thanks again for everyone's input.
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I used to work for a family members trailer shop and a couple of the ford dealers brought us their trucks when a customer ordered a gooseneck.
All we ever used is bw great hitch
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All we ever used is bw great hitch
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Vaseline and a 4 inch coffee can lid. Problem solved
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When I picked up my 14 I looked at the gooseneck setup, and kept looking trying to figure out how you would disengage the ball. Ford's ball has a thing on top of the ball that you pull up on to put the ball in and remove it, haven't used it yet, but I'm a little skeptical on how well it'll hold up.
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Nobody should be cutting your harness. There is a empty plug waiting for you to add the in bed plug.
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the one from ford is designed by reese i was told.
B&W offer a ford OEM fifth wheel hitch that is about 200 bucks cheaper than the reese that fits in the factory system. I have had a turnover ball in my trucks since 1999 and a companion fifth wheel hitch since 2002 with no issues. I just ordered my new B&W OEM fifthwheel hitch for my new 2015 i am ordered. Im not a big fan of reese. For the new fords it is about a wash to order the factory gooseneck and prep package as to have a B&W bought and installed. The new OEM fithtwheel hitch from B&W is very easy to install. So i ordered my truck with the factory set up.
I just bought a used 2013 F-250. Based on the VIN it came with the Ford factory 5th wheel prep package. When I went to pick it up, I discovered that the factory bracket had been removed and a B&W had been installed. At first I was upset (had to drive 3 hours to that dealer) but then I researched it some and found out that the B&W seems to be THE gooseneck hitch so I went with that hitch and bought the companion 5th wheel hitch that fits into the gooseneck hitch bracket and love it.
I will say that the Ford factory electrical connection in the bed is pretty nice...
I will say that the Ford factory electrical connection in the bed is pretty nice...
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Their is more margin for the dealer in the B&W hitches. Anything on the Ford Factory invoice is basically a 9% dealer profit. IF he can get the buyer to pay suggest list. Most of us don't. So if you have a $500 factory Ford hitch the dealer may see $45 in profit if you pay suggested list for the truck. Dealers can buy the B&W product for $300 and install it for $500 and see $200 for the hour work.
Same story for bed liners. A factory spray in bed liner is $500 on the window sticker, dealer sees 9% or $45. If he does his own Rhino liner or Linex he is seeing $200 profit. So most of the dealers I've talked with much prefer to add these type of options at their dealerships vs having it done at the factory.
Same story for bed liners. A factory spray in bed liner is $500 on the window sticker, dealer sees 9% or $45. If he does his own Rhino liner or Linex he is seeing $200 profit. So most of the dealers I've talked with much prefer to add these type of options at their dealerships vs having it done at the factory.
Ford Dealer invoice price on the Fifth Wheel Prep package is $316 Retail $370 the Dealer cost for just the Turnover Ball is very similar to the Dealer cost for the prep package not including Install price which varies by Installer(they are pretty easy to self install) so by getting the Prep Package you save the install price....but with ford you ahve to buy the Goose neck Ball and that is a 250 dollar option so you are even money really. if you need a FW hitch then it is cheaper to get a B&W Companion or the OEM from B&W then ordering the Factory set up. So if your going Goose Neck its a toss up if your going Fifth Wheel then B&W is cheaper by several hundred buck either way.
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