5th or Goose ?????

[RHARVEY]

I have a friend that is wanting to convert a 5th wheelpin to a goose neck type. His truck is set up with the goose neck now and was wondering what the cost would be??? Any ideas. .



Thanks

Rick

 

[C Schomer]

It cost me $120 to build the conversion and $13K to trade trailers after it was torn up by the G neck setup! It add a BUNCH of leverage! Craig

 

[D White]

I almost went that same route, but took the advise of all these guys. A lot of people have torn up the pinbox area on their trailer with the GN adaptor. Most aren't designed stout enough to adapt from 5th wheel to goose neck, puts a lot of stress and flexing on the pinbox.



DW

 

[Dieselnerd]

Ditto on the above. If it didn't come as a gooseneck, do not convert it to one. The trailer manufacturers will tell you the same thing.

 

[RHARVEY]

That was my idea but I needed to ask for him...



Thanks for the information...



I love this place!!!!!



Rick



P. S. Just for your information. . he drives a F550 ford

 

[milehiscott]

Ok, I have to ask....

Why would you want a goose neck style trailer? (That's a question, not a slam. )

I'm new to this level of towing and I'm still trying to figure this out. I've driven semis before, so I understand the 5th wheels.



Thanks,

Scott

 

[b.j.oneill]

I went the other way I have a 42' 3 horse living quarters trailer and converted it to a 5th wheel from a goose neck and love it. It was easy to do and well worth it. Don't know why you would want to go the other way. The 5th wheel is allot more stable and better to tow.

 

[DarrellB]

Goose neck

Much better off road. A 5th wheel is great for lots of over the raod traveling but for farm use and construction you need the goose neck to allow the rig to flex when traversing rough ground.



My 2cents

Darrell

 

[csevers]

I agree with the last post

The amount of twisting that my trailer does would not be good with a 5 wheel I have damnere touched the tail gate in back the fuel tank or tool box in front and both sides from time to time jockying around in places

 

[redramnc]

Scott - the articulation of the ball-and-socket of a gooseneck connection is much greater than the relatively limited amount allowed by a 5th wheel setup. What the others have said is very true - for a travel trailer that sees hard surface roads only the 5th is more stable and less prone to throwing things around inside. However, the 5th can carry more weight, thus semis run 5ths.



If you get into a twisting situation the gooseneck allows the trailer to pivot independent of the hitch angle. I have heard some serious metal strain-type groans from 5er campers jockeying around mountain campgrounds. The leverage exerted on the pin by the plate can be tremendous. If you go to the oil fields I think you will find all of the trailers are goose hitched if not tag-along. If it holds together on a job site it has to be good.



Just out of curiousity - when you drove semis did you ever have to really twist the connection. i. e. get the trailer up on a hill at an angle while the tractor stayed flat or twisted the other way? Seems to me that most semis never leave hard surface the way a cattle/horse/equipment trailer does.

 

[milehiscott]

Thanks for the info everyone. That makes sense.



Red,

The worst I ever did to a semi was pulling into an underground dock downtown. 90* turn between the tractor and trailer with a 15* downhill to the dock. If I ever get my hands on the guy who designed that dock.....

 

[klenger]

Scott:



We're enjoying our free weekend at the CG in Monument CO. Thanks for the info. Nice place.



Ken Lenger

 

[milehiscott]

Glad to hear that it worked out!!!!!!

Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[SOOT]

Oil field

I am mechanic in the oil field. All of our tractor trailers are 5th wheel not Goose. I guess that is why we have a lot of problems with the pivot points on the plates seizing up, dogs & plates being bent Our tractors spend most of their life off-road, which is why they are outfitted with lift kits The hood of our fuel truck is about 6' 6" above the ground:--) that sucker is tall.