Fifth Wheel vs Gooseneck

[Axion]

I currently have a fifth wheel rv. I am looking at buying a new rv and am seeing a lot more rv units with goosenecks.



I was wondering what the main differences are between the two systems. They both place the load over the rear axle and seem to allow the same types of pivoting motions.



It looks like a gooseneck would give you more bed space once hooked up. Is there something else I'm missing? If I find a unit at a dealer that's set up for a fifth wheel, is it hard to replace the king pin box with a gooseneck attachment?



Thanks in advance for your time and insight.

 

[RustyJC]

If the 5th wheel is designed for a gooseneck conversion, that's fine. Most, however, are not and the structural warranty will be voided with a gooseneck conversion since the gooseneck adapter extends the lever arm and imposes substantially greater torques on the pin box and frame of the 5th wheel - the gooseneck adapter acts like a cheater pipe. Frame damage with these adapters, especially with heavier 5th wheels, is reported with some frequency on the RVing forums. I'd suggest talking to the RV manufacturer (not the dealer) before deciding to go with a gooseneck adapter.



Today, any number of 5th wheel hitches leave a relatively clean bed when removed - the old Reese rails are more and more rare. If you need the capability to tow both a gooseneck and a 5th wheel and want a clean bed when not towing, I'd recommend the B&W turnoverball gooseneck hitch with their companion 5th wheel hitch - see HERE.



Rusty

 

[AH64ID]

What mfgrs have you found with OEM gooseneck hitches? The only one I have found is the Balboa series.

GN is a more rugged and more forgiving hitch, but harder to hookup which is my most RVs are 5ers.

 

[HBarlow]

I have both GN and fifth wheel hitches and both GN and fifth wheel trailers. My fifthwheel is in my signature and I also own a gooseneck tandem axle 14k GVWR hydraulic dump trailer for hauling dirt, gravel, fertilizer, my tractor, etc.

My CM truck bed came with a gooseneck ball recessed in a handy pocket under the deck which is very practical.

I asked the engineering department at NuWa, manufacturer of HitchHiker fifth wheel travel trailers, about hanging a gooseneck adapter on my HitchHiker fifthwheel. The engineer reviewed the weight and frame of my fiver and said it was okay with NuWa but advised against it because my trailer was factory equipped with a Demco Glide-Ride kingpin box. He said the Demco was not able to handle the additional stresses described by Rusty above. I accepted his advice and continue to use my trusty old Reese fifth wheel.

Another factor to consider is ease of coupling. I can easily see the top of my Reese fifth wheel hitch and the kingpin of my HitchHiker from the driver's seat when backing up to the trailer. I can even see it at night by using a pair of bed lamps I installed on the header of the CM bed. All that is required is to back the hitch into the kingpin, the latch opens against the spring, then latches when the collar wraps around the kingpin. I can back to the trailer and couple the fifthwheel without leaving the driver's seat.

Not so with the gooseneck. It is not possible to see the gooseneck ball in my truck bed or the coupler on the bottom of the gooseneck when attempting to hookup. I can estimate it fairly accurately when backing under it but always have to get out and check it and usually have to move backward or forward an inch or two.

My truck is a quad cab and I have a 70 gallon Transfer Flow tank mounted on the bed behind the header. It may be possible to couple a gooseneck from the driver's seat with an old-fashioned regular cab and without a fuel tank.

 

[smitty3500]

My QC LB with reese rails and a goose adapter I can back to my trailer and see the gooseneck and ball. Only have to get out to let the Hydro down on the trailer. I for one have considered trying a 5th but not sure if there is any difference or benifit.



Was considering the Cody Cushion Gooseneck hitch to try and rid the shock my truck experiences when loaded and on rough highways. My truck/trailer loaded is just around 25k on a Cat Scale.

 

[CKelley1]

hey harvey i found a great gadget that i love. it is two sticks about 4 feet long with a magnet on the bottom. i found them at clarks equipment they were made to put one on the ball and the other one on the trailer hitch to aid in hooking up. i just use one on the goosneck ball and alighn it up with the goosneck on the trailer. when the stick just falls it is centered over the ball and like you i have a 100 gallon tank in the back

 

[HBarlow]

hey harvey i found a great gadget that i love. it is two sticks about 4 feet long with a magnet on the bottom. i found them at clarks equipment they were made to put one on the ball and the other one on the trailer hitch to aid in hooking up. i just use one on the goosneck ball and alighn it up with the goosneck on the trailer. when the stick just falls it is centered over the ball and like you i have a 100 gallon tank in the back

Hmmm, I wouldn't mind having a simple magnet device to attach to the gooseneck and ball pocket before backing to my gooseneck like you described.

What is "Clark's Equipment?" Is that an internet company or local to you?

 

[gtoli]

Harvey, Check this one out.



Reese Products 7012900 - Reese Trailer Alignment Systems - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

[HBarlow]

Harvey, Check this one out.

Reese Products 7012900 - Reese Trailer Alignment Systems - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Thanks for the link. I think I'll order one of these. It looks like a pretty handy device for $16.

The description indicates both wands are on a magnetic base so I should be able to place one in front of the ball pocket on my flatbed and attach the other to the gooseneck of my dump trailer to hitch then remove and put them away until the next time I want to tow it.

 

[Axion]

I'm not sure if the goodenecks I've seen on the lots were factory or were originally fifth wheels and modified later.



So, I guess the gist of it is, that it needs to be engineered for the different loads applied to the gooseneck system. If how the rest of this Forest River unit was built is any indication, I think any alteration might not be a wise idea.



I'm pretty happy with my Superglide so it looks like I'll continue with my current setup. Thanks for all the insight everyone.

 

[CKelley1]

harvey clark equipment is a chain that sells fork lifts and truck accesories the ones in the link are like mine except mine are without the ball. you do not need the second one for the trailer. just line the truck one to the center of the goosneck tube. you can back into the trailer at any angle and make a perfect fit every time

 

[HBarlow]

I don't know if there is a Clark dealer in Lubbock, guess I can check in the yellow pages. I haven't ordered the one from Summit yet.

One wand might be cheaper than two.

 

[CKelley1]

they only come in pairs. i did not know you were this close to me. i will get you a address. the next time i am through i will let you drive a truck with a real exhaust brake.

 

[HBarlow]

Sounds good to me. No address in your signature, didn't know you were somewhere close.

 

[CKelley1]

ruidoso nm

 

[CharlesHoward]

I use a Star Performance Gooseneck adapter with my 12-13K Fiver.
This adapter is very robust, provides a glider motion that presumably is gentler than a standard Fiver Hitch, and is easy to install or remove. I've had it for almost 3 years now and no problems with my frame (and that includes several stuck trailer moves) and the usual occasional very rough roads (that momentarily exceed even the glider limits)...
I went this route as my used truck came with a rotating/retractable gooseneck ball. The adapter was a little cheaper than a mid-level hitch, and I could install myself.

One benefit of hooking up is the trailer is gently lowered onto the ball, no ramming with a hitch or need to chock the trailer wheels. Also, its either on the ball or not so the risk of dropping the trailer as so many do with bad hookups is virtually eliminated.

It does take a little longer to hookup or disconnect as raising or lowering the trailer is so slow with the trailer jacks and lining up over the ball can take a little longer.

But having a completely free bed is often very useful.

Good luck!

 

[BDW]

Harbor Frieght sells them also for around $15

 

[Jason]

I only had experience with gooseneck hitches on my equipment trailers. When I bought a 5th wheel RV, I converted it to a gooseneck hitch. My RV in not too heavy (only 26' long) and I have had no problems with it. However, I thought that I should mention one potential problem.



Since a 5th wheel hitch limits side to side tilting to around 10 - 15 degrees, the RV body (which is wider than the truck bed) can usually not touch the truck bed sides. With the almost unlimited side-to side tilting of a gooseneck, the RV body can touch and damage your truck in certain situations. I will try to describe one such situation:



Approaching an uphill "T" intersection with another road. The 2nd road is tilted away from Road #1 (due to elevation of the lanes in a curve, for example). Your truck turns onto Road #2 while the RV is still sloped along Road #1 and the RV will hit the truck bed sides. While hard to describe without using my hands, this happened to me a couple of times.

 

[JMoldenhauer]

I HAVE BEEN USING THE RANCH HITCH ADAPTER FROM ANDERSEN MANUFACTURING FOR 3 YEARS WITH GREAT SUCCESS. THE FIRST TRAILER WAS A 35 FT. 14K WHEN LOADED TOYHAULER AND A 27 FT. 10K TRAVEL TRAILER. THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE I FELT BETWEEN THE G. N. AND 5WHEEL WAS THE AMOUNT OF SWAY YOU FEEL BY THE WIND AND PASSING BIG RIGS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE IS ALMOST NO UP-KEEP ON A G. N. SET UP ALITTLE SILICONE SPRAY 1 OR 2 TIMES A YEAR AND YOUR GOOD. IF YOU PLAN TO BOON DOCK THE THE G. N. IS WAY LESS STRESSFUL ON YOU RIG THEN THE 5TH WHEEL AND THERES SPACE LEFT IN YOUR BED FOR FIREWOOD!!! SOMETHING YOU DONT HAVE WITH THE 5TH WHEEL. i hope this ramble helps let me know if i can help answer anymore questions.





MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT andersenhitches.com

 

[Grizzly]

hey harvey i found a great gadget that i love. it is two sticks about 4 feet long with a magnet on the bottom. i found them at clarks equipment they were made to put one on the ball and the other one on the trailer hitch to aid in hooking up. i just use one on the goosneck ball and alighn it up with the goosneck on the trailer. when the stick just falls it is centered over the ball and like you i have a 100 gallon tank in the back

As BDW stated, Harbor Freight sells them. I was gifted a pair for my birthday two years ago. Works great with my bumper pull BigTex. Not as good with the 5er. They're also telescoping to adjust the height. I believe I've seen them for about 10 bucks with a coupon.



george