Thor Wanderer, gooseneck adapter...

[pwerwagn]

I am getting a 1999 29RKSS Wanderer Deluxe Friday. Real clean, 30', fully loaded.



It comes with a 5th wheel hitch, but its a non-slider and non side to side pivot. I use it at the lake a lot (off road) and I have a short bed.



I have a GN hitch in my truck already, and Im planning on putting a 5th-GN adapter on the wanderer.

Has anyone had any problems, with a thor in particular, with the adapter? I ask because some manufacturers dont reccomend it, others dont care. I couldnt find info on thor specifically.



thanks,

Jeff

 

[pwerwagn]

How about GN adapters in general? Any issues?

Any suggested brands? I was looking at the Cody coupler.



--Jeff

 

[12V Ford]

We had one on an early '90s Alfa Gold trailer and never had any problems with it. We had the trailer for 10 years when we sold it. I think it just had a gooseneck hitch welded on to it, no adapter.



Most people say not to use an adapter, but if the frame can't handle that, I say look for a different manufacture. JMO

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

With a short bed, I'd be alot more comfortable going with a slider. I know the 1st & 2nd gens had 3" more bed length in the SB, but I think you still may need the extra length a slider gives you - especially if you are going to the lake.

 

[captaindean]

gn adapter

I just posted somthing on this I have a diamond gooseneck made by blue ox

i want to do the same thing but am thinking of going it one further and getting an aireride king pin made by 5th airebourne thought it might take some of the stress off of the frame of my 5th wheel just a thought has anybody done this

 

[CPittman]

Jeff, I have a Thor Wanderer 5er, but mine is a 24' unit built in '98. We converted mine to a GN hitch because I'm always taking it off-road and boondocking.



We had some early trouble with the 5th wheel base plate flexing due to the bending moment from the GN adapter acting as a lever-arm. We cut that off and welded a heavier (thicker) baseplate which helped a little. The current set up is with a 2. 5" square tube kicker welded from the base of the GN back to the 5er neck back from the pin box. Absolutely no problems with it now - see my reader's rig for pics.



Only thing is, you'd better be ready to keep the unit forever if you do what I did. If you think you might trade it later, go ahead and get an articulating 5er hitch and don't turn too far.

 

[pwerwagn]

I ended up deciding to keep the 5th hitch. My LUK clutch is pretty grabby at take off, and it causes the trailer to jerk pretty bad for a few seconds. I figured it would only be amplified by the gooseneck conv. Ive also heard bad things about GN hitches on 5th's with front slides.

I considered doing pretty much what you did CPittman. I got a regular GN hitch and was just going to make my own. In the end, I just figured Id go ahead and stick with the 5th for reliabilty, and re-sale. Also, I never use my bed so I dont care if there is a 5th hitch in it or not.



Im currently using an olympia 16 hitch from victoria industries. It works pretty good. not a side pivot, but Ive already taken teh 5th wheel to the lake a few time in the sand, and had no problem disconnecting or connecting after leveling the 5th.

I can also almost jacknife it. Im surprised, I didnt have to raise the trailer for it to clear on my truck. it sits a little low in the rear, but it works good. Tows great with the boat behind it. I did put some LR E (10ply) tires on it to keep sway down with the boat behind it.



I think im going to go with the Pull rite super glide hitch. Just gotta bite the bullet and drop the 1K$ for it.



--Jeff