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Thread: Goosebox install
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01-03-2020, 10:45 PM #1
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Goosebox install
I bit the bullet and purchased a gen 2 reese goosebox as I got very tired of not having bed space and lifting 300 lbs of hitch in/out of my F350. This past year I used the tractor to help lifting the hitch in/out and just grew more and more frustrated with the process. I don't think I'll save any weight as the goosebox is about as heavy as my hitch set up.
I was able to order a goosebox and safety chain set from a local RV shop a bit cheaper than other vendors online and without the shipping costs. I was very happy to have my nephew and his friend pop over to help me install it. It was a fairly easy process. I had one hang up during install. The vin plate was installed in a location that prevented us from fitting the goosbox into the wings due to the drive screws protruding inside the wing area. It wasn't a big deal, but we all thought we'd have enough room to move the goosebox around them. However, the gen2 goosebox has taller wings and prevented us from maneuvering around the drive screws. Access was easy to the drive screws and I was able to pound them out and moved the vin plate higher on the trailer wings so the drive screws wouldn't interfere with the install.
We found that after following the mfgr directions we ended up using the same mounting holes as the original pin box. The instructions say generally to use one bolt hole lower,but once we added air, it put the 5th wheel nose high. So we used the original pin box holes, and it is level now.
We got the mounting bolts and safety chain bolts torqued today and tested it out briefly in the driveway. I'll test it out on the road in the near future as our road is pretty icy now.
My hope is that it will tow better and make life easier. Time will tell, I guess.
This is one of those mods that will force another though. I don't have the camera package on my F350, so backing up to the 5th wheel is not as easy as I can't see down into the bed and nothing stops the truck (like a horseshoe hitch) from hitting the trailer. I used chocks as a stop but had lots of in/out trips of the cab and little adjustments in truck position. As such, a camera is now in the works to make this process safer and easier. I kind of expected that but wasn't 100% sure.
Anyway, thought I'd share my experience if anyone else is looking to do this.
Happy New Year to all of you!2019 Reflection 367BHS with a few mods
2018 F350 6.7 SRWD CCSB
1971 F250 Highboy with lots & lots of mods...
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01-03-2020, 11:10 PM #2
The Gen2 Goosebox tows great IMO/IME, and I think you will agree!
Rob & Nikki + Cloverfield
2020 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3350RL
2015 RAM 3500 Longhorn Laramie Crew Cab, Long Bed, 4x4 Dually Cummins/AISIN
Mountains of Pennsylvania
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01-04-2020, 08:02 AM #3
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2019 Solitude 375RES Onan 5500 Splendide W/D Samsung res. fridge
2020 Ford F450 Platinum dually 6.7L 4:30 gears
B&W Companion for Ford puck system 20K lbs
Jeff
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01-18-2020, 10:50 AM #4
Just ordered my goosebox
How tough is the chain installation?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk2019 Ram 3500 Laramie Megacab Patriot bus
2020 Grand Design Reflection 311BHS
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01-18-2020, 10:56 AM #5Rob & Nikki + Cloverfield
2020 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3350RL
2015 RAM 3500 Longhorn Laramie Crew Cab, Long Bed, 4x4 Dually Cummins/AISIN
Mountains of Pennsylvania
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01-18-2020, 10:57 AM #6
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01-18-2020, 11:15 AM #7Rob & Nikki + Cloverfield
2020 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3350RL
2015 RAM 3500 Longhorn Laramie Crew Cab, Long Bed, 4x4 Dually Cummins/AISIN
Mountains of Pennsylvania
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01-18-2020, 11:35 AM #8
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There are numerous aids for hitching up a goosebox.
A quick search
http://www.doityourselfrv.com/traile...ment-products/
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Magneti.../dp/B007772HG4
Neighbor has these
https://www.amazon.com/TruePower-20-...3NS8WG2YES63SF
Hope this helps2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th wheel with 6K axle upgrade. B&W 25K OEM Companion, Steadyfast system, 2022 F350 SRW 6.7 King Ranch 8' bed, Trailer reverse lights, rear spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, and Solar
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01-18-2020, 02:02 PM #9
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As the others have said, the chain hook up is the easiest part of this install. The Gen 2 goosebox has two areas on the inside for the chains to bolt up, and right next to that are two areas the hooks will attach when not in use.
I looked at a lot of options for hooking up and decided to give this cheap set up a go. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
My friend uses a chock to stop his truck from hitting the 5th wheel but has to have his wife/or whomever help guide him in. I tried the little magnetic balls and they are ok, but my F350 rear seat is high enough that it was really hard to see and consistent placement of the magnets is critical.
My plan was to use the cheap camera as a way to hook up and just set it up each time. Not ideal, but I didn't want to hardwire it or a better set up until I was sure I liked it. More to follow.2019 Reflection 367BHS with a few mods
2018 F350 6.7 SRWD CCSB
1971 F250 Highboy with lots & lots of mods...
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01-18-2020, 04:00 PM #10
Our install was super easy and pleasant. Love the way it rides vs my Curt A25 that it replaced.
Yes, there is a 4k pin weight limit. I am actually at that and shuffling some things around in my trailer. To get there though I have the washer and dryer right over the pin, Onan generator, full set of tools in my passthrough, and upgraded my propane to 40# tanks with the old 30#s in the pass through. Moving some stuff back behind the trailer axles, other stuff into the truck bed. That all should help get it back down below 4k no problem.2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Diesel DRW (Crew Cab | 8 Ft bed | OEM Puck System | Curt Gooseneck Ball for OEM Puck | Timbrens on rear axle)
2019 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R Fifth Wheel (Onan 5500W LP Generator | MORryde CRE3000 and HD Shackles/Wet Bolts | 3x MORryde Cross Members | 8k Axles and Disc Brakes | Sailun S637 ST | Reese GooseBox 20k 2nd Gen | Splendide Stackable Washer and Dryer)
Full Suite of Victron Energy Products (2x 5k 24v Quattro Inverter/Charger | 2x 25.6/200 LFP Smart LiFePO4 Batteries | 2880w of Solar Panels across 4x MPPTs | Cerbo GX)
Charging Lithium Batteries From...
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