Difference between fiver and Gooseneck?

[Spooled-up]

I'm going to be getting into RVing eventually, and had a question.

What is the difference between the fifth wheel type hitch and the gooseneck hitch. I know what they both look like in terms of the hitch on the truck, but what is the advantage of the gooseneck over the fifth wheel or vice versa? Does one offer more clearance over the bedrails of the truck? Does one lend itself to hauling more weight?



I'm eventually going to get a "toy hauler" type trailer with living quarters in the front. Maybe a Pace or Featherlite. I'd like the gooseneck because it will free up the bed of the truck with the B&W Turnover Ball hitch.



Just trying to learn a little something.



Thanks.

 

[SRadke]

From what I've observed...

The towing and handling characteristics of the two are the same. The gooseneck (as you said) frees up a lot of space in the bed and the fifth wheels are generally easier to hitch up. The bed rail clearance is entirely dependant on the trailer, not matter what hitch type it has.

RV's are virtually all equipped with fifth wheel hitches. There are adapters that allow you to switch some of them to goosneck but you should check with the trailer manufactureer before doing this. Adding the downpipe to attach to the goosneck ball puts a leverage on their hitch design that many of them are not designed to withstand.

-Scott

 

[DHayden]

I'm certain others will chime in, but what I have seen and read you DO NOT want to put a gooseneck adapter on a fifth wheel. The frames of these trailers are not designed to handle the force applied by the gooseneck adapter. Not only does it weaken your fifth wheel trailer but you will be taking a chance on puting yourself or family in harms way.

 

[Spooled-up]

Adjustability?

Is a gooseneck height adjustable? Does the vertical shaft slide up and down to adjust for different truck heights, or will towing with a 4x4 make the trailer slope upward toward the truck?

 

[lmills]

Re: Adjustability?

Originally posted by DMKelley

Is a gooseneck height adjustable? Does the vertical shaft slide up and down to adjust for different truck heights, or will towing with a 4x4 make the trailer slope upward toward the truck?

My brother-in-law's is adjustable, I don't know about others. He custom made his.

 

[SRadke]

Virtually all of the commercially made gooseneck trailers have adjustable hitches. There is a telescope built into the vertical round tube that is set with a couple large set screws. Some have more adjustability than others allowing more clearance for the bed rails.

 

[Peter Campbell]

I think the gooseneck has more flexibility ( backing and such on rough terrain) and the fifth wheel transfers some of the pitch from the trailer to the tow vehicle on straight towing. That should give a slighly better/more stable ride straight towing. I have a gooseneck dump/eqipment trailer being built. Its prime job is to get around my property. Moving the machine and loads of material short distances is second. Long interstate travel is not in the cards- except for break in and load test

 

[TPCDrafting]

DM,

I have heard (not seen) an attachment for your BW hitch. It's a 5'er hitch that slides into the BW hitch setup. This would let you pull either one. Most 5'er hitches these days come out of the bed with a few pins. Some even offer the ability to slide back for tight spaces giving more room between trailer and cab. I pull with my GN constantly and haven't had any problems with clearance when turning, but in the mountains, going through ditches etc. I've hit the tailgate a few times. I've got 'er beat down now where I don't hit much anymore.

Another thing, I'm not sure what 5'er hitches are rated for, but the BW is rated for 30,000 lbs.

 

[RustyJC]

HERE is the B&W website. You might take a look at their turnoverball gooseneck hitch as well as their companion RV (5th wheel) hitch.



The gooseneck hitch is rated at 30,000 lbs. The 5th wheel hitch is rated at 18,000 lbs.



Rusty

 

[Peter Campbell]

There are some threads about the 5th wheel companion hitch. Something about pre-loading it so it does not "flop around" when braking, accelerating and washboard roads. never used it just remembered it was mentioned.

 

[RustyJC]

Yep, my B&W companion 5th wheel hitch surged violently when braking on washboard or "humped" concrete surfaces. This movement was severe enough to dent the beer can sheet metal of my bed floor. Others haven't had this problem. Go figger, I guess...



The fix I came up with for my hitch was to fabricate some 3"x3"x 3/8" angle iron rails that run from the Weatherguard 5ver box in the front of the bed to the tailgate in the rear of the bed. These rails are set in place in the bed, then the frame of the companion 5th wheel hitch is set on them and pulled down. The rails (1) stiffen the bed under the 5th wheel hitch frame and (2) spread the loads over the length of the bed. This fix has also been used successfully by several other B&W users who had the same problem. These rails are painted with a textured black paint to match my Line-X bed liner, so they don't look that bad.



Rusty

 

[ewcmr2]

I believe with a fifth wheel it is legal to carry passengers in the trailer (with an intercom system installed) but with a gooseneck you can't.



Eric

 

[C. Harlan]

I love my gooseneck trailers!! I have had the bed loaded with crap, and just need enough room for the neck to go down onto the ball, and thats it! I noticed I cannot put my beer cooler in the bed, when pulling the horse trailer... there is a wicked draft that comes up, and likes to blow my bed mat and whatever is underneath the neck around... Its bad, really bad! Oh well, I manage to get around it though!



-Chris-

 

[tschwab]

Originally posted by ewcmr2

I believe with a fifth wheel it is legal to carry passengers in the trailer (with an intercom system installed) but with a gooseneck you can't.



Eric

Ahhhh, Not in WA state, maybe in CA??

 

[sootgrinder]

I love my B&W companion hitch. I don't tow the camper all the time, and it is nice to take out and get my truck bed back. I have had no problems with it shifting or denting the bed. I do preload the connecting shaft to the turnoverball. Another advantage is the limited side to side action of the hitch. This action is dampened by a shock. My Dad has a two wheel drive with another type of hitch, he can not place the trailer the way he wants unless it is flat. With my B&W I have no problem. I would recommend it to anyone.

 

[Steve M]

It takes alittle grunt and I usually don't feel like messing with it but my Reese comes out in two pieces leaving the bed rails level with the bedliner. Four pins hold the A-frame down and two pins hold the head on. For the price and stable ride of the non-rocking Reese 15k, I like it.

A goose neck offers more flexability for off road and can be pulled with a short bed truck as the goose neck is usually narrow enough to allow a full 90* jacknife with a shortbed. Some horse trailers are even narrowed in the front to allow for turns with a shortbed.

 

[EMelrose]

Flip over ball hitch

Originally posted by RustyJC

HERE is the B&W website. You might take a look at their turnoverball gooseneck hitch as well as their companion RV (5th wheel) hitch.



The gooseneck hitch is rated at 30,000 lbs. The 5th wheel hitch is rated at 18,000 lbs.



Rusty

I installed a Hidden Hitch Hide a Ball Hitch. It is well made and has a well thought out locking mechanism..... unfortunately the inverted ball (stored) damaged the wiring harness for the ABS braking. When the truck is loaded the ball hits the top of the differential, so check clearance with ball in both positions before using.

 

[TCDiesel]

Gooseneck & fifth wheel

Watch out for most of the bolt inns are 48. 5 from tailgate to top dead center, which will work for most recreational campers. NOT SO WITH COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT AND SOME TRAILERS. 48. 5 IS JUST TO FAR AHEAD YOUR BED RAILS WILL HIT. I ask B&W why they manufacture this so far ahead,their reply was D/C specification require it for liability reasons. The ideal position is 1"to 2" in front of axle. The B&W and most other bolt inns are 4"ahead,its only 2"but it makes a world of difference,If the truck is dictated to the same equipment you should be OK.





I like the goose-necks they are more versatile,But are not as operator friendly.

 

[C. Harlan]

Maybe one of these days they will make a sliding gooseneck platform, allowing you to put more weight on the steers, or vise versa... Just a thought.



-Chris-