Gooseneck hitch

[yort]

Anyone here have experience towing fifth wheel camper with gooseneck hitch willing to share experience?


Troy
Waconia, MN
2003 Excel 38RDO

[rockintom]

Troy,

I have not used a gooseneck, but can give you some of my basic thoughts. With a rig as big and heavy (if I remember right you have a 3 axle setup) I wouldn't advise using the gooseneck setup. By design it puts additional load on the "winged" area of the pinbox frame. When PI changed their set up in that area about in 2003 it lightened the strenghth in that area. I believe it was around 2008 that they went back to the original design to add strength back into the frame, mainly due to numerous pinbox area failures. You may/or may not have the beefier/strong structure and I still don't recommend using the gooseneck. I don't know what PI's position is today.......but it used to be NO-NO-NO!!! Might want give them a call...

I'm sure you'll hear from some that have used the gooseneck without issues and that's OK......but I wouldn't do it.

[KU9L]

In 2008 we purchased a used 2001 Excel 28rgo and at that time Peterson Industries gave us the parameters. First, warranty coverage will be in question so consult them first. The guidelines were (in my words):

1) Keep the floorplan length 33' & under (28' is better).
2) 2002 and older frames are okay.
3) 2008 and newer frames are okay.
4) Years 2003 - 2007 had issues with framing (call PI) when using a gooseneck adapter.

Our 2008 Chevy had a flatbed with embedded gooseneck ball and we used a Anderson Ranch adapter on our 28rgo. Initial results were good although we experienced a very rough ride (no cushioning between truck & 5er). Within 6 months we had to re-caulk a lot of our seams and had to repair a broken gray water elbow near the top of the gray water tank, caused from vibration and jolting on our smooth roads.

We used the same gooseneck adapter on our 2009 33RSE RT for a 1,300 mile trip, we lost two 12 volt light bulbs on that leg. Then we replaced our pinbox with a 5th Airborne airbag pinbox and installed a Spinrite super 5th MDT 25.5K low profile hitch. Our ride quality improved considerable and the road chuck completely disappeared, no more broken dishes. We haven't lost any more light bulbs since either.

See our blog under our profile for some photos.

Our next upgrade is either a MDT, HDT, or a Super C motorhome depending on how things go with our farm auction next month.

Dave

[Jim & Bona]

Troy,

As I recall, PI published an advisory against using a gooseneck hitch in specific instances several years ago. Recommend you call Jack at the Service Center on this subject.

[Full Time Mel]

I started using the goose neck adapter on a Canterbury Traveler because I had a Western Hauler bed on my crew cab. I broke the hitch sub structure.

When I changed trucks and had purchased the Excel 35RKE, I continued to use the goose neck. I'm on my 3rd king pin plate. The first peeled off and broke the adapter. I installed a 30K adapter thinking it would hold up better. It peeled the 2nd king pin plate off and broke the sub structure for the adapter in the pickup bed.

I'm now using a 24K 5th wheel hitch. I had the new king pin hitch re-welded to reinforce its strength. My welder related that using goose neck adapters has the same effect as using a longer wrench to loosen a stubborn nut - it creates an enormous amount of stress on the king pin assembly. He had repaired some sub structures that had too much stress placed on them noting that a goose neck adapter is not a good idea.

My recommendation is never use a goose neck adapter. Look closely at goose neck trailers and note how the neck is strengthened. The 5th wheels hitch is not comparable.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full Time Mel My welder related that using goose neck adapters has the same effect as using a longer wrench to loosen a stubborn nut - it creates an enormous amount of stress on the king pin assembly. He had repaired some sub structures that had too much stress placed on them noting that a goose neck adapter is not a good idea. My recommendation is never use a goose neck adapter. Look closely at goose neck trailers and note how the neck is strengthened. The 5th wheels hitch is not comparable.

FT Mel,

You said it well, in the engineering world, we refer to it as "the goose neck set up has the mechanical advantage, thus compromising the pinbox structure. Simple as that....in layman terms...just like puttin' a cheater on a wrench! rockybaby

[TXiceman]

First, check with PI and get their input. As an engineer, I say NO way, unless the trailer was specifically designed to use a GN hitch.

This is not an Excel only issue, just use the search function and look for Goose neck adapter.

ken

[yort]

Called PI today and spoke to Rob in service. The reply was 'We don't recommend towing with a gooseneck hitch'. Thank you for the feedback and experience.

Troy

[LindaH]

Besides all the excellent advice you have been given, you asked about a slider hitch in another post, so I assume you have a short-bed truck. Even if PI approved towing with a gooseneck, I wouldn't use one with a short-bed truck.