5th Wheel to Goose Neck Adapter?

[Brett Maverick]

My 2003 should be at the dealer in 3 weeks or so. The '95 I just sold had an 18K "Hidden Hitch" in the bed, and the TDR member that bought the '95 didn't want it, so it might wind up in the new rig. I think the Turnoverball hitch by BW is pretty cool, just not sure about the goose neck adaptors I'd have to use to tow my 14K 5th wheel. I see no sense in getting a Gooseneck hitch to mount a 5th wheel hitch on it (I only have the one trailer) but if I could tow the trailer as a goose neck, that might be worth the hitch-swap. Does anyone out there use this type of a set up? Camping world has one (30K rated) and there's one called the "Ranch Hitch" (Pullman?) Drop me a line if you've got info on this adapter set up.

Thanks,

Brett

 

[dremelts]

I have never had any experience with the gooseneck adapters, but I would be _very_ cautious about doing something like that.



If you look at the geometry of your pin box on the front of the fifth wheel and then try imagine that you have an adapter attached to the pin box that extends down about 14 inches. Now try to visualize what this added moment arm is doing to the structural components of the trailer frame where the pin box is connected to the trailer.



The adapter may very well be designed for 30k - the problem is that the adapter radically alters the force vectors that are being applied to the trailer frame and the trailer frame was not designed with those forces in mind.

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

On irv2.com:



http://irv2.infopop.net/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=089094322&f=992099422&m=9983049386

 

[MidwestMotorman]

BW Companion

What about the B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch that drops right into their Flipover ball hitch? That looks way better and safer than a different funky adapter for the trailer. Plus you could easily remove the Companion hitch and have a truly flat bed again. Check it out on their site. It might be a little spendy, but safety and convenience are important.

 

[Brett Maverick]

Big Ol' Honkin Hitch

The whole reason I was considering the BW was to get away from that large 5th wheel hitch. The standard 5th wheel hitches pull out easily enough, but ya still gotta stash it somewhere while it's out of the bed. Then there's always the chance you'll forget it, (or part of it) when you go to get your trailer. I was really interested in the BW, but the adapter sounds a little hokey, so I guess I'm leaning back towards the conventional 5th wheel hitch.



Brett