Community Forums

andrew1346 · 07-08-2015, 02:23 PM

I haven't done a lot of towing with a fifth wheel setup, but a fair amount with a gooseneck. I am looking to upgrade our camper from a bumper to fifth wheel, and was wondering if anybody is using the fifth wheel adapter for there camper, and what the pros and cons of the setup is. Does it pull any different? I want to put a turnover ball system in my truck. I know they make a companion for it, but didn't know if it would be better to get the adapter

Aggiefan · 07-08-2015, 02:37 PM

The fifth wheel setup is a whole lot easier to connect than the gooseneck. If you need to tow both a fifth wheel trailer and a gooseneck trailer, I would convert the gooseneck trailer. You can get a king pin insert for the gooseneck trailer. I no longer have a fifth wheel trailer but still tow by gooseneck trailer using my 5th wheel hitch. If space in the bed of your truck is a concern, you can get a removable 5th wheel hitch. They are easy to remove, albeit a bit heavy for one person to remove from the truck bed.

zmotorsports · 07-08-2015, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew1346

I haven't done a lot of towing with a fifth wheel setup, but a fair amount with a gooseneck. I am looking to upgrade our camper from a bumper to fifth wheel, and was wondering if anybody is using the fifth wheel adapter for there camper, and what the pros and cons of the setup is. Does it pull any different? I want to put a turnover ball system in my truck. I know they make a companion for it, but didn't know if it would be better to get the adapter

When you say adapter are you referring to something like the Anderson hitch that connects to the gooseneck in the truck bed and has a ball on a pedestal? If so that is the only way to go. Do a search on the Anderson hitch and you will have a lot of reading. They are an excellent setup and very easy/quick to connect and disconnect.

Mike.

JIMNLIN · 07-08-2015, 08:24 PM

Using the GN adapter on a 5th wheel RV trailer is going to depend on your 5th wheel trailer mfg recommendation. Some trailer mfg will not...... and some will. Give them a 1-800

Wlofton · 07-08-2015, 10:48 PM

I have one on my Cougar 333MKS I had a hide away ball in my truck and was going to get a different setup and they threw a B&W Gooseneck Hitch in.

lol I'm sure I paid for it.

zmotorsports · 07-09-2015, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIMNLIN

Using the GN adapter on a 5th wheel RV trailer is going to depend on your 5th wheel trailer mfg recommendation. Some trailer mfg will not...... and some will. Give them a 1-800

This will depend on which adapter in question is used. Some fasten to the trailer connection and the adapter goes all the way down to the GN ball. This creates a tremendous amount of leverage and personally I am not a fan of this style.

The Anderson style that I mentioned fastens to the bed or GN hitch in the truck and places the attachment point up at the same place as the standard 5th wheel point of connection so there is no change in forces exerted on the trailer.

Again, this is dependent on the style of adapter you are referring to but yes, contacting the trailer manufacturer would be adviseable. Although some trailer manufacturers are stuck in the old ways of thinking and make a blanket statement that ALL adapters are bad. They are unwilling to concede that there are different styles of adapter and different forces placed on them.

Mike.

andrew1346 · 07-09-2015, 10:25 AM

I was leaning towards the b&w turnover ball. Then either an adapter on the fifth wheel to convert it to a gn. Or the companion hitch by b&w, which gets pricey to get the turnover ball group and the companion group. But I want the bed space, I have a short box....

zmotorsports · 07-09-2015, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew1346

I was leaning towards the b&w turnover ball. Then either an adapter on the fifth wheel to convert it to a gn. Or the companion hitch by b&w, which gets pricey to get the turnover ball group and the companion group. But I want the bed space, I have a short box....

Personally, I would steer clear of the adapters that go on the 5th wheel hitch and convert to connect to the gooseneck in the bed. There is a lot of leverage created there that may not be designed into the trailer. Trailers that are built as a gooseneck have a lot more gusseting and reinforcement to handle the stresses involved.

Converting the other way, adapter in bed and connecting at 5th wheel connection, from a leverage standpoint just makes more sense.

Again, my personal opinion I know there are people that tow with those large adapters fastened to the trailer, it just wouldn't be me.

Mike.

Cypressloser · 07-09-2015, 04:14 PM

I agree 100% with Mike, the Andersen is a very nice, safe and affordable setup.
Also, when converting the pinbox to a regular gooseneck you will almost certainly void the manufacturers warranty - don't want to go there.

caissiel · 07-09-2015, 08:16 PM

Believe me the trailer pin frame is not very strong. 2 have failed on both our units. And I tow with 3/4 ton trucks. Sure would not tow with any heavier truck or GN.

Rolfsted · 07-10-2015, 08:15 PM

I went with the companion hitch. It is very quiet compared to the slider hitch I had in my last short bed truck. This truck has a long bed with the turn over ball already installed. So the companion was the best way to go.

Kevinc2011 · 07-11-2015, 05:32 PM

Here we go again, Same subject that has been hashed to death. Hitch depends on the design of the front of the camper to allow enough clearance to turn the camper. Post said short bed, then the clearence becomes a major issue. A camper with a Radius cap, that is mase for a short bed will allow more room, and one with a full front will not allow much room at all. As several have posted, the Goose neck adapter will void the warranty on many campers due to the stress that it puts on the frame. Call the warranty dept of the manufacturer before you purchase anything to get their recommendations.

PointyWombat · 07-18-2015, 12:05 AM

I like the idea of a gooseneck, but the manual of my 5er states explicitly not to use one else void warranty.

hbillsmith · 07-26-2015, 11:11 AM

Grand Design approves the Andersen. By the way, the Andersen King pin adapter is almost as easy to put on and remove as the hitch frame itself. When I take my 5er in for service, I pull the adapter off when I drop the trailer off. It's easier for them to move it around in out the service bays with their forklift. Also, should I ever need a trailer tow roadside, its the same install socket plus 4 simple Allen screws to remove it.