Star Performance gooseneck hitch adaptor

[mules4me]

I am looking to convert my fifth wheel to gooseneck and wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Star performance adaptor.

Thanks for any advice



Dave F

 

[jelag]

I've read 2 stories of those who have done this... ..... and I've done it on an old 5er I once had. . What the stories shared was that when you extend the hitch on the 5er down to the surface of the bed to connect to the ball you've added length to the arm of a fulcrum... . This extra length is extra leverage and can damage the structure of the trailer where the hitch connects...

Like I said above, I did it... and towed the trailer for another 4 years after the modification... . I don't think we had any ill effects... Our modification was home made. . BTW, you understand that with a gooseneck you'll need safety chains that you wouldn't need with a 5er. .

 

[CharlesHoward]

Yes, I have one on my 13K lbs Keystone Montana Big Sky Fifth Wheel.

I installed it in late 2007. So far no problems towing with it (over 3K miles, including a pushing effort to get it unstuck from mud)and presumably the glider motion reduces stress on the trailer/frame. I seldom experience any very light "chucking" that many experience.

I really like it!

For me, installing really requires two people as its heavy and awkward and has to be somewhat held in place.

I did have to install the optional bolts to mount it to the existing hitch as I found my severe 90degree storage lot parking 'trials' would twist the adapter on the kingpin despite the "set" nuts.

I also had to get a bigger socket for the square nuts, similarly for the large collet screws.

I found it easier to remove the adapter for the required 2500 (?) mile grease job and re-install it.



Its great having the bed free versus a standard Fiver hitch (Buyers flippable ball mount in my bed). However, Hooking up takes longer as the trailer has to be raised a lot to clear the height of the ball in the unloaded truck (it rides level when hooked up) - similarly for unhitching. However, you should never have to worry about dropping the trailer like others do, as its either on the ball or not!

Also, on the road I use the required safety chains, which also take a moment to hook up and willingness/agility to get in the truck bed.



Let me know/PM me if you decide to get one as I could possibly get a "customer referral" gift from SPHitch.



Good Luck!

 

[mules4me]

thanks for the reply Charles. I have another question? they told me they only sell the 14" model and to measure from top of ball to King pin plate. Its 12 in. I also have Montana 2955. Do you think that will make my trlr unlevel to pull. I have a new 09 3500 SRW



Dave

 

[CharlesHoward]

Dave,

I know my measurement was off the standard by an 1'" or 2, so I was NOT going to order the standard size, but they convinced me the standard size was good for 90% of RVs and so I went with that. Worked out well like they said. My Montana and Ram ride level (aka, the RAM bed moves down quite a bit with the RV Weight as unloaded the bed is very high) with 5-6" of Bed Clearance. All my paperwork on the hitch is in the RV so I'm going by recall... .



When hitching, I have to raise the RV pretty high to clear the down tailgate, which is maybe 2" or higher than the ball in the middle of the bed. I like how when the adapter is on the ball, the Truck sinks and its a few moments before the jacks lift off the ground. Much gentler and positive than "pushing" a fiver hitch onto a kingpin.