5th wheel vs Gooseneck

[Qualey]

I've hears it all from the local trailer shops, but I'd like to hear from some of you that use either or on a daily basis what the pros and cons of both types of hitches are. I'm looking at flatbeds, not campers if it matters.



Thanks

Matt

 

[wyosteve]

Matt, I'm not positive, but I think you can only get a flatbed in a gooseneck configuration. Gooseneck advantage is its ability to twist, turn and flex more on uneven terrain than a 5th. Also the gooseneck ball is not as unsightly in the bed as the 5th wheel rails. Gooseneck ball can usually be taken out quickly and then you have full use of the bed. Don't really know advantages of a 5th wheel.

 

[TPCDrafting]

I have the BD gooseneck hitch. The hitch is similar to your reciever hitch only the hole points up and is mounted flush to the bed. It's much heavier duty than the rec'r hitch, but same characteristics. There is a pin on a handle and all one has to do is pull the handle and pull out the ball and flip it over. Then you have a normal bed for hauling plywood etc. Some 5'er hitches come out and leave you with only little rails in the bed and you can still haul flat mat'l. The BD hitch can be used for 5th wheel as well. They have a 5'er hitch that slides right into the same slot as your GN ball. To me that's an all round way to go. Then you could haul either. I don't have the 5'er attachment. As far as usability, what wyosteve said is true. Hi Steve!

 

[Mschevey]

Just to let you know, you can get a flatbed with a 5th wheel style hitch. I have one and like it. The dealer that built my trailer said that about 20% of the flatbeds he was building were using 5th wheels. One advantage of a 5th wheel is the ease of hook up. Just line it up and run into it. (Gently of course. ) I planed on mostly on-road use of the trailer. So I didn't need the extra pivot ability of the gooseneck.



Goosenecks carry the load and apply the pulling/stopping force all through the same place the ball. A 5th wheel uses latching arms and the front of the hitch to apply the pulling/ stopping forces, and the skid-plate to carry the weight.



The trailer will have a tube that the hitch slides up into to adjust the height. To change from on to the other just drop the section completely out of the tube and install the other style.



I will post a picture of my trailer, if I can find one.



Send me a message if you would like more information. I have taken mine on a road trip to Texas from Pennsylvania and am planing on it again this spring sometime.



Mike

 

[Mschevey]

Here is the only picture I have at work. If you want another view let me know and I can take get it later. I can also e-mail you a much better picture, if you would like it.



Mike

 

[TPCDrafting]

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Not the biggest load by far on the TDR...

 

[78repowerwagon]

I have pulled both types and would take the fifth wheel hands down anywhere except for a hay trailer that spends most of its life off the pavement.