Gooseneck .vs. Fifth Wheel

[MamthTorq]

I have a short box with a flush mounted tool box and cannot see the ball, however I can always hook up on the first try. I just use the three bolts in the tail gate to make sure I am centered, then I have learned how close the trailer sits to the tool box and it works every time now. Also if that doesn't work you can leave the hitch down slightly, just so you can feel when it slides onto the greased ball. Using this method the trailer wheels must chocked properly so that you don't bend your jack or push it off of a block if you use one.

 

[Grizzly]

I like my PullRite 5th wheel hitch with the Super Bracket Rails. I can see it when hitching, I get no slack when towing and I when I remove the hitch, I can also remove the rails and 4 pins, which leaves me with a clean bed.

 

[DCreed]

Dont want to sound stupid, do 5th wheels use safety chains as gooses do?

 

[LRundberget]

5r's do not have to be chained. Only ball mounts. i. e. goose neck, tag alongs, etc.
I don't know if pintle hitchs need safety chains.

 

[Boondocker]

Dont want to sound stupid, do 5th wheels use safety chains as gooses do?

Nope. Just an electrical plug and trailer break-away switch cable.



I use a Pullrite Super Glide 16K, and it's one heavy hitch. I finally bought an engine hoist to lift it and a yard wagon to move it around. They're the right tools for that job - zero back strain. It takes me about 30 minutes to get everything out, install or remove the hitch, and put everything away (including swapping tailgates, V-gate for towing).



The hitch to trailer line up with the Super Glide is not too forgiving. You have to be pretty level and straight to have an easy time of hooking up. I have a 12" convex mirror on a flex-arm with magnetic base. I stick this on the trailer to see the hitch. I also have yellow lines painted on the hitch and kingpin to help with alignment. I use a roll-up tonneau cover that I can't see over. I only tow 5 or 6 times a year, so I don't get enough practice to be a hook-up pro. Getting it right the first time is cause for giving myself a pat on the back



After hooking, I always visually inspect the kingpin latch and do a test pull. A test pull is - with the trailer ready to go, leave the landing gear about 1" off the ground, set the trailer brakes, and give a little tug. This way, if you weren't securely latched and pulled away from the trailer, it would only drop 1", instead of landing on your bedsides. Then, don't forget to raise the landing gear!



Neil

 

[DCreed]

It is still my favorite mistake and pet peeve is the guy that rips off his tailgate after unhooking or forgets it up and backs into the trailer! OOOPS! Seen this TOO OFTEN!

 

[JHardwick]

It is still my favorite mistake and pet peeve is the guy that rips off his tailgate after unhooking

A friend of mines wife did that :{

 

[2Bear]

Thanks to everyone on all the posts.

Found out what I wanted and got a couple new ideas... ...

Ain't this a great website ?

 

[bnbrown]

I use GN, 5th and ball trailers... even had the 5ver with a GN adapter for a short while...

I only will buy GN trailers now, but I buy them with a raised nose to give more clearance for the bed as we pull our horse/stock trailers through the pastures and need a lot of side to side clearance. the 5'er with the GN adapter was scary as far as the box went, have some serious bed rails on my 99 so no dents in the box, but it left a couple on the 5'er.

I dont have much problem backing under the GN, just watch what you can... my trailers have a spare mounted at about tailgate level, I just back up until I am about the appropriate distance to the spare and get it in one shot 9 times of 10.

 

[CharlesHoward]

Star Performance Hitch Converter

Since the 05 Ram I bought used had a retractable Buyers Gooseneck Ball, and a robust chassis mounting that looked like it didn't want to be removed, I purchased a Star Performance Gooseneck adapter for my 14K lbs fiver.

So far in several journeys the fiver has survived. I think the most stress occurs when backing into the storage lot space - especially on the trailer tires!

 

[MRiley]

I have a BW with the fith wheel companion. When I got my Toyhauler it had a GN adapter on it so I used it like that for about a year. I really did not like the GN adapter. It put a lot of stress on the pin box. I think if your trailer is made as a GN your good to go but if it's a 5er then you should tow it as a 5er. I saw one at the shop on a adapter that the owner had twisted the king pin box all to snot. I switched mine back to a 5er after seeing that and I have to say I think tows much better. I get a lot less bounce and buck on the 5er than the GN.

Hitching up with either is no big deal. I don't think there is a real advantage on that aspect. The GN is definately good for more weight 30k on the BW.

I say go for the BW then you can have the best of both worlds.

 

[2Bear]

MRiley,



Why did the 5er bounce and buck less than a GN?



Ray



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[DCreed]

the adapter allowed slop and flex between the two. when he went back to 5th wheel only it was used so much less slop.

 

[2Bear]

Ahhh - I git it (duh) Thanks Creed.



Ray

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[MRiley]

MRiley,



Why did the 5er bounce and buck less than a GN?



Ray



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I feel that the 5er plate allows more articulation. Or slop if you will. The GN ball is rigid. The 5er plate will flex front to back and side to side. While the GN ball allows greater movement it does not allow any lateral movement as a 5er does. The ride inside the truck suffers with the GN (in my opinion). When I hit a pot hole on the freeway with the GN the bounce in the trailer is directly transfered to the truck. Whith the 5er there is greater flex (slop as some call it) and the trailer bounce gets absorbed with out transfering all of this to the truck, resulting in a better in cab ride. I know many will argue on this it's just what i've experienced in my truck with my trailers.

mike

 

[2Bear]

Check out the CC2 rubber cushioned GN connector at MrTruck.com.

Seems like a good idea



This whole mess below is the link - just click on it.



Regards,

Ray



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"Popup Gooseneck Cushion Coupler,Bumbs be gone, Living Quarters horse trailers need this, Protect your cabinets, mirrors as well as your truck and trailer from the shock of the hitch. Gooseneck trailer hitch for shortbeds, short bed truck hitch,9 inch





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[MRiley]

I agree it does seem like a good idea. I had the standard RV1 pop-up adapter on my trailer. and as you can see on that site there is just no give in that set up. I really like the BW hitch and companion because i have the best of both. A regular GN when I need that and Standard 5er too. The bed is clean like a GN so I can still use my truck as a truck not just a tow rig. Also the Companion hitch is really well made and offers the features of a high end 5er hitch.

Check out the BW site below. The companion is under the products tab. See what you think.





B&W Custom Truck Beds, Inc.

 

[2Bear]

MRiley,



I looked at BW site awhile back.

Doesn't seem that they have a setup for a CC with Flatbed (well they do for Ford).



I'm planning on just having GN trailers and don't have any plans for a 5er -

but would be nice to have one in case I needed it I guess.

I'm not doing anything commercial.



Ray



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[MRiley]

MRiley,



I looked at BW site awhile back.

Doesn't seem that they have a setup for a CC with Flatbed (well they do for Ford).

I assume that by CC you mean a Chassis Cab? They do make a custom bed for the Chassis. Check this link.

B&W Custom Truck Beds, Inc.

As far as the hitch goes I do not see it listed in the models but if they are maknig a bed it is possible they may be making the hitch as well and the website is just not up to date. I would give them a call. Just my thoughts.

mike

 

[2Bear]

Mike,



Yeah, Chassis Cab.

I'm gonna go with a Bullhead bed I think.

I'm in no rush and its not going to happen overnight - so I got time to work out all the little details.

... ... . Thanks for your input.



Ray



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