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Full transcript: www.etrailer.com/tv-install-b...
Hey everyone, Ryan here at Etrailer. Today on our 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, we're gonna be showing you how to install the B&W underbed gooseneck trailer hitch. Before we do that though, we'll take a minute, check this out and make sure it's gonna work for you. So a lot of people are under the impression that these half ton trucks, especially the short beds, you're not able to pull gooseneck trailers around with them, and that's just not the case. B&W makes this kit here specifically designed for these pickup trucks, whether it be a 5 1/2 foot bed like we have here today, or a 6 1/2 foot bed. So this will work with both of those.
If you happen to have a long bed, B&W makes a separate that'll work the same way, that's compatible with that. Something you really need to think about when using this type of kit with these short bed trucks is gonna be cab clearance. Being that the hitch sits pretty far forward, since we have a short bed, there's not a ton of space here. So depending on what type of trailer you're gonna be pulling, whenever you make real tight turns, what could potentially happen is that trailer can make contact with your cab corners. And it's really just dependent on your setup.
You know, if you have maybe a car hauler or something like that, where really there's not a lot going on up front, you'll probably be in good shape. But maybe have a camper that you converted to a goose box, you know, and them campers overhang, you might run into some issues there. If that is the case, B&W does make another ball that you can use, it's an offset ball, will drop into the hitch and set that attachment point back about four inches. And that should be able to buy you a little more space there. One of the cool things about this setup too, you kind of get two hitches for the price of one almost.
You know, not only can you put a goose ball in here and tow your gooseneck trailer, you can also use a fifth wheel head. B&W makes a hitch called the Companion, which utilizes this setup. It'll drop into place and give you that fifth wheel attachment. So if you end up changing trailers or have multiple trailers, whatever the case may be, you know, you'll be in pretty good shape. Now with that said, especially with these short beds, if you do end up using a Companion, you're gonna wanna make sure to get the sliding type one.
Again, with the clearance that you may run into, having the sliding hitch will allow you to set that attachment point further back and give you enough room. If you're familiar with the towing world at all, chances are pretty good you've probably heard of the B&W name, and there's a reason for it. They make excellent hitches and products all around, for that matter. The quality construction is awesome, and when it comes to the fit and finish, it really doesn't get much better. You know, even with our setup here, it looks really good. You know, about as good as it can get, at least in my opinion. Something pretty cool with the setup as well is it's a turnover ball, right So when you're not using it, you're actually able to store it in the hitch. That way it's not rolling around in the back of your truck, you know, you're trying to keep track of it or whatever. You can always keep it inside of the hitch and it's ready for you whenever you need it. The ball is gonna be a 2 5/16 in diameter, pretty much the standard for those gooseneck trailers. The safety chain openings are spring loaded, relatively large, you know, just about any hook should fit around them. And they sit nice and flush whenever you're not using 'em, so this should help limit rattling and whatnot, and having 'em like that is going to help with full bed access. So since the hitch sits underneath the bed of your truck, hardly takes up any space at all, and isn't gonna get in the way when you go to load in other items into the back here. Underneath the truck, this is a look at the hitch all mounted up, and even on the bottom side, it don't really take up a whole lot of space, you know, and has a powder-coated finish. B&W's finish is actually pretty good, at least in my opinion. So with everything being underneath, I think that's important, and it should hold up for quite some time without getting rusted out or anything. And one of the big questions we get is, when doing this type of setup, is suspension enhancements gonna be possible And it really just depends on what you're going for. A lot of people wonder about airbags, and it's kind of a hard question to answer acros