For those in the know. A fifth wheel question

[spin05]

So my 04.5 3500 i just bought has a B&W hidden 5th wheel hitch in the bed. Looking for trailers soon. Was just wondering does it take some kind of adapter??? To convert a normal 5th wheel tongue to that ball style?????? Sorry in advance for the newbie Question.

 

[RustyJC]

You'd be MUCH better off purchasing a B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch which mounts in the B&W Turnoverball gooseneck receiver you already have which will allow you to tow the 5th wheel the way it was designed - with a 5th wheel hitch. Gooseneck adapters impart severe torques into the pinbox area of 5th wheel frames which they are not designed to handle. All that gusseting around the crown of a gooseneck trailer that's there to resist those torques is NOT present in a 5th wheel trailer frame.

Rusty

 

[Cummins12V98]

I agree with Rusty's comments.

B&W Companion is top quality in my book.

 

[Powder Extreme]

A small 5th wheel is okay with an adapter, however most small 5th wheels have "small" frames. Virtually all manufacturers will void frame warranty if using an adapter. If you are buying a larger trailer, don't even risk it with an adapter.

Another vote for the companion, been using one for years and many miles.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

You'd be MUCH better off purchasing a B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch which mounts in the B&W Turnoverball gooseneck receiver you already have which will allow you to tow the 5th wheel the way it was designed - with a 5th wheel hitch. Gooseneck adapters impart severe torques into the pinbox area of 5th wheel frames which they are not designed to handle. All that gusseting around the crown of a gooseneck trailer that's there to resist those torques is NOT present in a 5th wheel trailer frame.

Rusty

I agree 100%. Even If I were to buy a gooseneck trailer in the future, I would stick a kingpin adapter in place of the ball coupler and use my Companion. Best money I've ever spent IMHO!!

 

[larime2013]

look at the new Anderson 5th wheel adaptor ultimate 3225 uses hidden ball in your truck and can be installed and taken out in 5 min 24000 gtwr and 4500 tonge wt also you can watch testing on youtube go to Anderson hitches.com I have this from the trailer dealer and pull a 3250ts big country 1980 lb tonge wt and 14000 lb trailer wt 34ft long hanldes great and eazy to install. It has a adaptor and disconnect cable that will go on the 5th wheel trailer that comes with it. What ever you decide on check them all and make sure it is what you are comfortable with

 

[NIsaacs]

I am not comfortable with that adapter. It is applying a cantilever force on the king pin with the front 2 set screws. The king pin plate is where the weight is supposed to be carried not the king pin and 2 set screws.

Nick

 

[spin05]

boy those slide in companions are not cheap.......

 

[Bill Stockard]

boy those slide in companions are not cheap.......

Yes, but the hitch isn't the place to "go cheap".

Bill