How to connect a Gooseneck Trailer

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[@HamiltonvilleFarm]

I have an old piece of PVC pipe that fits over the ball in the bed. Its about 3' tall and I stick it on the ball vertically and use it to line the trailer up. Once the trailer hits the pipe it falls off the ball and I know the neck is over the ball. Works every single time.

[@06dirtyblack]

That’s a really good idea 💡👍🏽

[@craigwheeler2057]

Now that is a common sense approach to solving the challenge when you do not have a higher mounted camera.

[@HamiltonvilleFarm]

@Patrick McDonough hope you patented it. 😊 It's a great idea. Do you sale them?

[@diananeal9645]

@@HamiltonvilleFarm i doubt he sale them but he might sell them

[@SegoMan]

Put this in front of the ball when it tilts your there: www.harborfreight.com/long-reach-magnetic-pickup-tool-with-quick-release-93950.html?_br_psugg_q=magnetic+pickup+tool

[@KOSTASFK1200]

Disclaimer: If your an overweight person with limited mobility and over the age of 40 dont hang out your truck because its almost guaranteed you will be ran over by your own truck. 😂😂

[@geriatricginger]

#5 lol Alex, you could always just tape the center line, as a marker.

[@steventhegreat]

Was just gonna post that , bit of electric tape

[@Tyler_5.4]

@@steventhegreat electric tape is not a good option as it leaves a sticky compound, I would use painter's tape

[@MrFakit]

@@Tyler_5.4 Lacquer thinner or even rubbing alcohol will take care of any residue.

[@eachoneteachone1]

I was thinking the same exact obvious question to myself.... like huh??? lol

[@tacomajoe7676]

I was gonna suggest that lol 😆

[@damionbrumfield5923]

I didn't know how to hook up ANY of this stuff until this video, just those small U-haul trailers but not this kind and I haven't did that since 1995! LOL! You are an excellent instructor and very thorough. I can tell you love what you do. :) Greatly appreciate you taking the time to do this for us all. :)

[@MFZero2]

Since I can't mark my leased RAM, what I do is put an adult toy with a suction cup right in the middle ✌️

[@muchogracious1557]

Lol. Piglet has to be trolling all of y'all in the comments. 😂. There's no way he was really being serious about hanging out the truck like that. 😂😂🤣😕😕🙄🙄

[@photon1972]

We raise the middle headrest all the way up and then line up the gooseneck between the bars that support the headrest and the center of the rear view mirror. Never miss as long as you remember to keep everything in the center of the mirror. Still need to get a feel for how far back to go, but that comes quickly.

[@deeperdiving]

My brother asked for help hooking up his trailer yesterday because he is disabled. I found it so interesting, as I had no idea how it all worked. I was so excited, I had to show my wife this video to let her see it. She acknowledged we must really need some activity, after COVID, because she was fascinated, too. 😂 Thanks for a great video, Alex!

[@kacoos]

Good video! I tow 3 to 4 times a week also, not a hot shot. I use the Shocker on a Diamond C 40' with hydraulic everything. Best investment I've ever made in a trailer!!

[@sudipta212]

I don't even have a truck, still I watch all his videos, just because its so much fun and informative at the same time.

[@deeperdiving]

We don't have a truck either, and loved this!

[@robertdahill9632]

Just wondering how many driver's are going to be falling out of their truck when hooking up..lol

[@adamd858]

Most important part!!!! DO NOT FORGET TO LOWER YOUR TAILGATE BEFORE BACKING UP. I have seen people forget and rip their tailgate off.

[@robertb6700]

Lol stand out hanging off the side of your truck while in gear backing to a gooseneck... I can see it now.... People following that advice, falling out there truck and while laying out on their ass (and hopefully not running over themselves with their front wheels) watching their truck smack into whatever is behind it.. wonder if there is a liability issue there... Lol

[@billupstateny9151]

this is a common practice, in russia

[@robertb6700]

@@billupstateny9151 lol

[@terrytrammell8297]

Dangerous

[@billupstateny9151]

@ wow, have you applied for a position in the HR Department?

[@ad1011000]

Lmao dnt be at a truck stop with big rig truckers standing outside the vehicle trying to backup 😂😂😂😂

[@timhall4516]

There's a third way you can use your mirrors like they're meant for and judge your side to side distance when hooking up

[@tprice3450]

Or your back up camera...

[@timhall4516]

Time to check if your trailer is high enough is before you get over the tailgate

[@tonyteresa8145]

I think Alex in just in the mode of cranking out videos no matter what the content. LMAO

[@calebsinger8029]

Crazy to see, went to watch this video and I look in the background and I know exactly where he is. This is literally 20 minutes from me 😂

[@happypappy6371]

A couple things. Most people aren't as tall as you and can't see the tailgate out the back window. Especially if they have a toolbox or fuel tank, which further restricts the view. The ball plate is unlikely to break loose from the trailer, unless in some major accident. The likeliness of loosing the trailer would be it coming loose off the ball or the trailer being over loaded and breaking the ball off. The best way to back into the trailer would be to use the mirrors and center the truck with the trailer as you back up. My preference is using a trailer and 5th wheel. The 5th wheel is much easier to connect to and is safer than the goose neck connection. A 5th wheel doesn't require safety chains.

[@45yt6]

The compact size 5th wheel for F350 is easy to crack.

[@dondavidson3440]

Hook a bungee cord across bed at center stake pockets, center truck, back until bungee cord contacts leg of GN, stop, lower trailer onto ball, lock, hook chains, lights etc, raise landing gear, do your walk around, go. EZ PZ!!!!

[@sirob584]

This was recorded in Mishawaka. Never thought I’d see my hometown on a KZbinrs channel lol

[@zacharyrosser9916]

“Stand outside of the truck with your foot on the brake” 🤣

[@MrTiger0002]

Magnetic pole (bought or DIY) and a wireless portable backup camera would be handy. PVC pipe is a great idea. Using magnetic pole or PVC pipe... you can cut to the length that high enough to clear your tailgate so serve as double duty... or tape some kind of extendable magnetic pickup tool onto it so it's not so weildy to store when not in use.

[@terryarnold4492]

Colored painters tape on your tailgate will help you see the center better. You only need a small piece each time so one roll will last you a long time.

[@granthutter5787]

use a fridge magnet strip if steel; or painters tape if aluminum. Alternatively; learn you use your mirrors and get your reference points. line up 'skin to skin' with your truck vs your trailer rails.

[@carlsea-eagle1098]

Hello, Alex, you can put reflective tape, & is good at nite or days. Just a hint and the camera Pick it up very well, it a good guide. Just try to help the new Driver. It has helped me for 41 years, so it not new.

[@dnwlogisticsllc8609]

Dude usually you give good advice, I have to tell you though I would not suggest someone stand on the side of the truck like that, especially if you can look out the back window. Just food for thought. I mean I know people that open the door and look but I don’t think I have ever seen someone stand outside like that though. Also, I would suggest marking you truck with some tape or a grease pen. You can wash a grease pen off easily and tape might leave a little residue that easily comes off.

[@KarasCyborg]

I like to use a magnetic pickup tool to place it between the cab and just in front of the ball, that way I know about how close the gooseneck is over the ball. I really like hydraulic jacks, takes a lot of the work out of hitching up the trailer. Chain Extensions are sometimes necessary for Dodge RAM, I use some massive D-Rings that are about 5" long, and have a 3/4 shank to extend the tie down location so chains will reach. All couplers are not equal, find one that is easy to understand if it's open or locked, otherwise you run the risk of having the gooseneck come off and it will beat the hell out of your bed, tailgate, and quarter panels even with the chains on.

[@dantheman3952]

Wow so many smart ass... out there. You have options to chose, he gives you some samples how is possible to do it & not how you should be doing it. Rethink what ever you guys thinking Before you start to pull air horn 🚚

[@billupstateny9151]

other methods, call 911, request a traffic uniformed officer to direct the truck positioning while backing or paint actual lines on the pavement on both sides of the truck wheels, to use as a backing guide in the mirrors. Use a laser level and plumb bob, to insure lines are straight and square. If you own the paving where connecting the trailer, delete this idea. If the area is unpaved or lawn, use marker paint that is typically used for marking underground utilities, again NOT on your own property. Failing these ideas, park the truck, & book 8 hours on a trailer connecting simulator. Confirm food & adult beverages are allowed in the simulator before making a reservation.

[@aranha401]

You’re supposed to cross the chains. Hook the left on the right and the right on the left side.

[@jaws7794]

Lot of info awesome thanks 3 years later.😆

[@robertdaniul4390]

My suggestion is to use a plastic stick that fits on top of your ball and you can line up the hitch to the ball. It works at easier. I use this plastic stick when hooking up to my goose neck 3 slant load horse trailer. Also use your rear view mirror on your windshield to line everything up.

[@alwayshustle5591]

Mark tailgate with: - China pen (grease pen, you can wash off) - Tape - Magnet (for non-aluminum trucks) - Etc

[@STEVEN-hv7ds]

He can use the grease that's always on his hands

[@cmottBHBJJ]

Thanks Dad!

[@larrythompson8630]

Alex. I question this instruction. Spinning the jack up. I was waiting for you to jam a finger when crack suddenly stops. ;) I showed my wife the running boards backup part. “He’s not serious?” Her second “he is paying more attention to filming than what he is doing...he doesn’t drive with camera on?” Imo first thing. Lower tailgate, measure on your body where top of ball is. Go to trailer raise hitch. People unhook from truck on soft ground. It settles, they back up and ruin tailgate. Riding running boards? OSHA would love that. If it’s short time unhooked. (Oil change, tire repair, running to store, don’t want to drag trailer...) I toss block behind truck tire as I unhook. Take truck wherever, using mirrors back up till I hit block, put in park (often that roll ahead is enough so ball centered, if not brake, gear to N, back to P and truck rolled ahead enough.). It may be I do that from ground but my left hand is holding the brake down till end. The idea of PVC sounds great for newer folk. Sadly you have been doing this for a while. When you are working a lot can be ignored. “It was cut, not shown”. Once you title ”How to connect a Gooseneck Trailer”. You need to go over every step. There could be liability concerns. I was on a jury of a semi driver who got injured falling from his running boards while his truck moving. Jury felt bad for his injuries. But concluded “he was a idiot”

[@DC-bn8px]

Thank the Lord I have a backup camera and a top cargo camera lol Guess the past years Ford does it by itself lol

[@Charms44]

Great job man now if you could give pointers on driving with that thing

[@tylerkimmet2595]

Perfect video for newbs. Thank you very much

[@MyDerfderf]

My sister uses her iPad. Turns the camera on and props it up against back window and watches that. I actually though that was pretty clever.

[@nickisaacs132]

When you use the bumper plug on your truck you can't thread the cord like you did. It will be too short in a sharp turn and break the cord or plugs. If you thread the cord from the gooseneck hitch back over the top of your tail gate, the cord length will never change.

[@PolarBearXx]

Nice explanation man

[@waynehicks317]

I would also recommend to test your trailer brakes on the controller and let the truck idle forward. If it stops the vehicle calmly but effectively, then your brake gain is set correctly. Too harsh and they gain is too high, too light or nothing at all, gain is too low.

[@georgeesquivel8623]

Great video on hooking up trailer....always wondered...

[@rickyrodz3728]

I line up the middle headrest in the back seat to the gooseneck hit and hit it perfect every time

[@carls2210]

Before I had a camera in the bed I just lined up the center headrest in the back to the hitch.

[@harrisonrawlinson5650]

I’m in the UK, we barely have any hot-shot style trailers so I’m not likely to ever need to know this. This is so interesting to me though

[@nickwalker181]

I never heard such bad advice in my life, you should never be standing partway outside to hook up to a trailer, do it like the real truckers do and use your mirrors and line up your trucks back tires to your trailers tires, it will probably be more tricky with a dually but is better than what he suggested

[@robertb6700]

Exactly

[@nickisaacs132]

I agree, your mirrors are your friend. Use the width of your truck and trailer to match each side the same, you will be centered.

[@junk502junkhaulers3]

Very good job on explaining how to hook up the gooseneck

[@Dragnet2]

Masking of duct tape work well for marking the middle of the tailgate

[@yakimawindowwashing]

Also if u line up to trialer, u can use your mirror and keep your truck tires aligned with sides of trailers as you back, great video tho keep it coming!

[@cadillac8927]

You can get a wireless reverse camera kit that comes with the screen and put the camera in the bed of the truck makes it a lot easier

[@DD-np4ch]

Just use some colored ducktape strips to mark the center of the bed of your truck since it's a rental

[@bryanp3973]

Omg i can see people falling out and damaging their truck 😂

[@iamonearies21]

Or just line the trailer and truck up. Then back up and hook up. It's simple and if you can't do that then you probably shouldn't be pulling nothing.

[@reloadnorth7722]

Wouldn't it be great if GM,Ford and Ram put a full sliding window into their trucks similar or the same as the Tundra

[@clintonbailey3762]

Use some black electrical tape to mark the center of your tail gate or another color of tape

[@sinsin1972]

You should install a rear camera for connecting the hitch.

[@jerrythompson8532]

A lot of people dont know that your the ball plate is off centered so you could (yours is in the forward position) move your weight forward (on steers) or back (on tandems) like moving your 5th wheel a couple of notches.

[@jalechavez6042]

Fantastic Trailler ...!!...Gracias por Compartir... Saludosss

[@fordfan0252]

Ok tried your method of standing on the step to back up and now I’m underneath my truck what part did I get wrong....

[@fordfan0252]

Old timer hot shot 😂😂😂

[@fordfan0252]

MG Stevens 🤣

[@billupstateny9151]

at least you were bright enough to keep you phone accessible

[@billupstateny9151]

@Old timer hot shot you are too hard on Alex.

[@fordfan0252]

BILL UPSTATE NY well I already had it in my hand making a video at the same time....

[@darwinmang4932]

Alex, You always can put color tape to mark your tailgate... So you can take it off when you return ur truck to rental

[@cooper8318]

Thanks for the video! I see you are in Mishawaka, IN here! Hello from a local

[@jimzwieg7010]

Sometimes I use an automotive expandable magnets that I can stick by the ball and expand the handle that usually has a larger handle that I can see in the rear view mirror. Always wondered when pulling heavy loads i mountains what is safe oil temperatures. I run 2012 f350 diesel

[@martinstepetin1167]

This was a good training video. Thank you.

[@MKCTV88]

Great video man thanks.

[@JDKingofthis]

can you Make a VIDEO on how to Inspect your truck and trailer before you get on the road and while you on the road empty as well as loaded

[@larryselfridge6733]

Mark it with a piece of reflective tape, it comes off easy when it needs too.

[@rangerdetection6689]

There are wireless battery-powered bluetooth cameras that you can mount next to your cargo light and view on your phone. I believe Arlo makes one.

[@brenttadams2018]

Thanks, starting new job. So helpful

[@Peculiar223]

How about mounting a camera in the bed centered under the back window that show real-time motion on your cellphone and a stick or pipe on the ball as a guide to line it up?

[@steved9397]

I use bright colored painters tape doesn't mess up the paint on truck like duck tape

[@timmccoy762]

Thanks for taking the time to explain everything! Good informative video. Peace.

[@CVS819]

You can use bright duct tape . It'll help . Thanks though,. Something I didn't know about . Good to know and learn from KZbin and from your channel .

[@aydenking4486]

Thanks for all the info.i always watch your videos.im interested in getting into hotshot soon.iv learned a lot just from you videos about the road and the load.Thanks Alex

[@sergiosanchez5846]

Thanks again Alex, learning so much from your videos, keep it coming

[@HaciendaLaCobriza]

Thank you for this video

[@antwonk875]

Thanks is was very informative!!

[@average2savage1]

You could've bought a Gopro and a suction cup mount for your rear windshield if you didn't have a bed/back up camera.

[@splavin90]

LEGENDARY

[@angelesperanza2766]

Thanks for the very good explanation

[@Digitalsithstudios]

GREAT VIDEO

[@DanA-yb5uu]

Thanks for sharing this info 🤙🏽

[@carlsea-eagle1098]

Alex, I glad you told me what the Handle was used for, I thought it was there to decorate the trailer, to make it look good. Alex where is your airside ball or 5 wheel, to put more weight on the truck, or less weight on the truck & more the weight to the trailer. LOL Later

[@lanasessentials5462]

Very detailed and informative.... I love your channel!

[@naseerahmadnisar739]

thank you brother

[@InHimOnly1]

Thanks for the information...

[@ManuelGonzalez-lk5eo]

all the videos that ive seen for you have been great. This video has one thing that should have not been a recommendation. We should never stand outside the Truck. If that comment was for trolling, i would suggest you state on another video. This about the safety of inexperience drivers watching your videos.

[@neverlie3489]

Didn't tell this dude has a hard worker he rubbed dirt all his hair like it wasn't nothing

[@williampintor1286]

Your awesome, thanks for sharing..

[@paulrine7447]

I agree with almost everything. Standing out on the running board is not safe.

[@naseerahmadnisar739]

show how you setup truck for long trip to sleep and are you kinda chill too in the way like fishing like enjoying in the way pretty sure your going to a lot of mountains and desert do you carry gun or knife or first aid 😎

[@ericvilla6286]

Awesome brother

[@380Banshee]

I use those towing alignment kits $5 H.F. magnet top goose ball hit it with the neck falls off & your money, haha!!

[@brianholloway3339]

Very well explained and shown! 👍

[@richa5288]

You forgot one step. You need to check the charge on the battery that runs your safety breakaway system and if it's charging when you are going down the road. Up here in Washington state that's an out-of-service plus a ticket.

[@happypappy6371]

If the breakaway switch doesn't activate, it is an OOS and ticket anywhere.

[@oby-1607]

I would never recommend someone to stand, looking out the door while backing. Somebody slips and there goes everything. Also, always check turn signals instead of just using your hazard switch as they use different circuits. When checking your hubs for high temperature, also check your tires and see if one or more are warmer than the rest as this could be a tire leading to a blowout. Your breakaway cable for your emergency brake on the trailer is way short as it would be no fun if that pulls out and your brakes lock up at 70 mph and with a load on the trailer. In this setup, check all of your hairpins on your lock pins because if one is missing you will have a very bad day. Lots of things missed here.

[@miked9104]

Great demo video Alex, thank you 👍🏽

[@zackdarden6118]

Add a piece of high visibility tape in the center of the tailgate

[@vin605]

Thanks for sharing good demonstration