Maybe this? I have this one.

https://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-Hitch/CURT/C60751.html

 

There is not a ledge in the bottom of the hole. That was the issue. The coupler of the trailer was sitting on the bed.

Being a hot shot service, most of the time the trailer stayed hooked to the truck.

I agree, there should be some type of inspection cycle on the system. I wonder if it's even listed in the manual to check the pin for signs of wear by looking into the hole occasionally.

 

If you’re talking B&W roll over ball, there is a ledge that the B&W ball sets on. I dropped my ball into the hole and it hit the shelf every time, whether in towing or storage position. I towed with it for 17 years.

 

Hitch inspection is part of the driver's daily DOT required inspection. If it was riding on the bed he should have noticed.

The components of the hitch are also required to inspected by a qualified inspector yearly for DOT compliance.

Unfortunately, the hotshot industry has too many folks who's idea of inspection is if it starts it's good.

 

Ok, so we're not talking about B&W? Since we were talking about TO (turnover ball), a B&W trademark, I just made a false assumption. Carry on.

 

I would hope that there is a stop in the bottom to keep the ball from falling to the ground when you go to remove or replace it. I don't own a B&W just going on what I was told.

 

B&W has always had a bottom in the ball socket. I'm really not sure how one would work without a bottom in the socket. 2 man operation to install the ball in the socket??

 

And why design it so that the hitch pin has to bear all the kingpin weight? If there's a shoulder at the bottom the pin is basically under zero load except when the trailer "bucks" and yanks upward briefly.

 

My truck had the under-the-bed 5th wheel hitch when I bought it. I liked the B&W 5th wheel hitch so I bought one. The mounting post fits into the hole in the truck bed. There is a spring-powered lever/rod in the driver-side wheel well that moves a pin in and out of the mounting post, but the new mounting post that came with the B&W didn't have a hole in it to accept the pin. I had to drill the post so that the pin would work. Seems to work fine even though a little clunky. I'm not sure how other brands work. And I have no idea what brand the 5th wheel under-bed device is.

 

If the GN hitch on your truck was a B&W, the Companion should have slid right in and there should have been a hole in the post. If B&W ever made a post to fit any other under-bed mount, I've never seen it.

Lyle

 

There is a spring-powered lever/rod in the driver-side wheel well that moves a pin in and out of the mounting post, but the new mounting post that came with the B&W didn't have a hole in it to accept the pin. I had to drill the post so that the pin would work.

This thread just keeps confusing me. You bought a B&W Companion hitch that had no hole in the lower square post? It should have had a slot in it with a draw bolt in the center to tighten it down once installed. You had none of this?

 

I bought the upper unit that mounts in the bed. My purchase came with the square post with the draw-down bolt hole. The truck already had a lower unit of unknown manufacture mounted under the bed. That under-bed unit has a round hole in the bed. I believe it was a mismatch, but it is close enough that it has worked.

 

Heavy Duty’s prep package starts with a factory-installed hitch platform that not only sits tightly against the top of the frame, but is actually welded to the side mounting brackets. Compared with an aftermarket hitch platform, which is usually only bolted in place, this design and construction method provides a much stiffer hitch, which reduces the likelihood of the trailer shuddering over rough roads and while braking.

Site Maintenance

 

Pretty sure it's welded on the side frames and rear cross member making it pretty solid

 

Interesting; I had assumed that it was secured with bolts from the factory. Can the same kit be retrofitted with bolts? I know the factory FW/GN prep could be retrofitted with bolts to the 2017-2019 trucks; I'm not sure if buying the truck with the option from the factory resulted in a welded connection..

 

I haven't found any mounting instructions, @bonniemakingsawdust has a part number listed on another thread. Link below. However; it shows no installation process from any of the sites I researched it from. My concern would be if you did/could order the 2 piece factory OEM puck system and just bolted it in place and utilized it that way you may be putting yourself in danger if GMC's intent was for it to be bolted and welded and you're skipping the weld process.

I've engineered more than one component for work over the years that was a bolt in place component for alignment purposes then welded for strength. Dunno in this case. Wish my truck wasn't in the shop or I'd crawl under and check it out.

2020-2024 GM Box-Mounted Trailer Hitch 84632891 GM | GMPartsDirect.com

2020-2024 GM part # 84632891 - Box-Mounted Trailer Hitch

www.gmpartsdirect.com

 

A '22 3500 drw and a '23 2500 factory installed puck system is NOT welded to the frame and does not have any part of it mounted to a rear crossmember.

 

Sure looks like it's welded to the rear cross member via that flat rectangular piece at least. Gonna look at mine tomorrow.

 

I agree with what that picture is showing. I have no idea where that picture comes from or what model of vehicle it is.

But when you crawl under tomorrow, don't waste your time if it's in a snow bank, cause a '20-'23 my won't have that flat rectangular piece.

 

I think it's a weird angle shot. Isn't that flat plate part of the spare tire carrier?

 

I agree with the picture showing it bolted. I do not think GM has made a frame change between 23 and 24.

https://www.gmupfitter.com/wp-conte...om/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2024_HD_CK_FS_CC_04_GSA_updates-w_page-11-fix.pdf note the crossmembers on each side of the spare tire carrier. I agree that the hitch platform is not welded to the funny looking flat plate.

Trailer Hitch Components for 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD | GMPartsDirect.com

www.gmpartsdirect.com

Scroll down:

Note bolt holes at the ends. I'll have to verify as the 24 parts catalogue is not out completely yet, but if I remember correctly it mounts the exact same way.

 

great information. Wouldn't be the first time GM put something in literature then did something else. The photo was from a GMC news article in 2020 discussing the changes made for 2020 HD MY so it came directly from their media department.