Should Flat Bed or Regular Bed Pickup Truck Be Used to Tow Allvan Gooseneck Trailer

Question:

Buying Dodge Ram 3500 Getting conflicting information on what to buy flat bed or just leave regular bed on the truck, hauling a ALLVAN trailer with goose neck see picture not sure of clearance factor both in back of new ram and clearance of rails how do I determine, I am really new at this and one person tells me I need a flatbed with gooseneck ball etc, thanks for any and all help.

asked by: MICHAEL T

Expert Reply:

As a general rule, when towing a gooseneck trailer with a regular bed pickup truck, you will want at least 4-6 inches of clearance from the top of the bed rails to the trailer. I first recommend determining the distance from the base of the truck bed to the top of the side rails on the Dodge Ram 3500. Since you do not yet have the truck, I recommend checking with a local dealer for this information or even a quick online search if you know the year and model you are wanting to buy.

You can then take a measurement of the gooseneck coupler on your trailer to see how close the trailer will be to the side rails when attached to the gooseneck hitch in the truck bed.

I can't say for certain if a flatbed or standard bed on your Dodge Ram will be better for your particular trailer, but going with a flatbed will certainly eliminate any clearance issues as it relates to the side rails.

If you decide to buy a flat bed, the B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch # BWGNRK1500 will be a great option. This hitch is designed specifically for flat beds and provides a gross towing weight of 30,000 pounds. I have included the installation details for you to look through.

Regardless of which type of truck you choose to get, I strongly recommend first verifying its towing capacities to ensure that you will be able to safely tow the weight of your Allvan Trailer. I have included a couple of articles on gooseneck trailer hitches that you might also find helpful.

expert reply by: Chris R