GM Factory Gooseball Hitch Slop and Goosebox

Recovering Workaoholic

Advanced Member
Site Sponsor
RV LIFE Pro
Joined
Oct 29, 2023
Messages
30
Location
Stanford, KY
Hello, I upgraded trucks a while back, my previous truck had a B & W square sided turnover ball, my new truck has the GM factory system with the round shank. I use the truck for multiple different trailers and have a B & W ball that fits the factory connection. I noticed that the ball has slop in its bore in the truck. Apparently this is a known issue and was planned, the slop keeps the ball from seizing in the hitch. I've pulled gooseneck trailers for close to 30 yrs and this is the first loose fitting hitch I have ever seen. I picked up a goosebox a while back and was going to put it on my fifth wheel, but slop in the ball gives me pause. I was wanting to reach out and see what type results others with this same system are experiencing. I suppose that with enough weight on the hitch and the air ride of the goosebox that the feeling of it could be negated. Only thing I have had on that ball so far is a lightly loaded cattle trailer. Definitely felt the slop at low speed and unloaded. I have access to a B & W Companion that fits my puck system, I moved the fifth wheel with it the other day and it was tight as a jug.
 
Hello, I upgraded trucks a while back, my previous truck had a B & W square sided turnover ball, my new truck has the GM factory system with the round shank. I use the truck for multiple different trailers and have a B & W ball that fits the factory connection. I noticed that the ball has slop in its bore in the truck. Apparently this is a known issue and was planned, the slop keeps the ball from seizing in the hitch. I've pulled gooseneck trailers for close to 30 yrs and this is the first loose fitting hitch I have ever seen. I picked up a goosebox a while back and was going to put it on my fifth wheel, but slop in the ball gives me pause. I was wanting to reach out and see what type results others with this same system are experiencing. I suppose that with enough weight on the hitch and the air ride of the goosebox that the feeling of it could be negated. Only thing I have had on that ball so far is a lightly loaded cattle trailer. Definitely felt the slop at low speed and unloaded. I have access to a B & W Companion that fits my puck system, I moved the fifth wheel with it the other day and it was tight as a jug.

Same problem with our Ram. Lubing the ball and the shank didn't seem to help - clanks when I start and stop or even let off the accelerator. Migrated from a B&W to a Curt ball (not as tall). Much less slop and noise even though the specs say the Curt could be one or two thousandths smaller than the B&W in diameter. I was told the same - built in slop to prevent gooseballs from not being able to be extricated when left in for a long period of time. We have 20K on our Goosebox with factory puck system.
 
Hello, I upgraded trucks a while back, my previous truck had a B & W square sided turnover ball, my new truck has the GM factory system with the round shank. I use the truck for multiple different trailers and have a B & W ball that fits the factory connection. I noticed that the ball has slop in its bore in the truck. Apparently this is a known issue and was planned, the slop keeps the ball from seizing in the hitch. I've pulled gooseneck trailers for close to 30 yrs and this is the first loose fitting hitch I have ever seen. I picked up a goosebox a while back and was going to put it on my fifth wheel, but slop in the ball gives me pause. I was wanting to reach out and see what type results others with this same system are experiencing. I suppose that with enough weight on the hitch and the air ride of the goosebox that the feeling of it could be negated. Only thing I have had on that ball so far is a lightly loaded cattle trailer. Definitely felt the slop at low speed and unloaded. I have access to a B & W Companion that fits my puck system, I moved the fifth wheel with it the other day and it was tight as a jug.
.

I’ve had the GM system on my 2017 and now on my 2024 using the goosebox. Both using the GM ball. I don’t notice any issues but I don’t have anything to compare to either.
 
Same problem with our Ram. Lubing the ball and the shank didn't seem to help - clanks when I start and stop or even let off the accelerator. Migrated from a B&W to a Curt ball (not as tall). Much less slop and noise even though the specs say the Curt could be one or two thousandths smaller than the B&W in diameter. I was told the same - built in slop to prevent gooseballs from not being able to be extricated when left in for a long period of time. We have 20K on our Goosebox with factory puck system.

It makes sense that a shorter ball would demonstrate less movement even if it was slightly smaller diameter due to the fact that's its top is closer to the axis of movement. I take it that slop is not enough of an issue to deter you from the Goosebox though.
 
It makes sense that a shorter ball would demonstrate less movement even if it was slightly smaller diameter due to the fact that's its top is closer to the axis of movement. I take it that slop is not enough of an issue to deter you from the Goosebox though.

Nope. I really like the way it pulls but it was installed pre-delivery so I don't have a traditional hitch to compare it to. One of the reasons I replaced the B&W was simply too much height over the bed rails which made the trailer appear nose high. I know other folks with different TVs have needed that extra height for bed rail clearance.
 
I've got the GM factory puck system and use a Goosebox. Yes, the ball has some slight movement in the OE puck system, but has no effect on the trailer or strength of the setup.
 
*** UPDATE *** Thought I would post my results thus far with the Goosebox and the B & W ball with the factory GM setup. The ball does have some slop, which was concerning to me. After several trips, including one that was 700 miles one way, I can say that the slop has no effect on the performance. So far so good, very pleased with the setup, especially after we get to the campground and I have the bed clear to throw the kayaks in.
 
Maybe talk wit B&W? Can it just be a bad ball?

Mine fits nice and snug but I have a Ford. No experience wi/GM.

Glad you are liking the ride. We sure like ours.
 
I had some slop with the B&W in my RAM factory puck system. Went to a Curt ball (B&W was too high) and had the same slop. I contacted both B&W and Curt and RAM and the tolerances for the B&W and Curt were a couple thousandths different and both smaller than the shaft hole in the RAM. Got the impression from all three that it was somewhat normal - Curt shaft spec was actually a little smaller than the B&W. Not a problem according to RAM as it is the ball bearings that keep it from pulling out. 21K pulling almost all with the Curt.
 
Last edited:

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom