Community Forums

NH Geezer · 03-21-2025, 08:51 AM

We have decided to pivot from A Class to 5th wheel. Getting a 2025 GD Reflection 367BHS.

Have to add hitch to back of F350 SD. Given that we are starting with a clean slate, would you go for goose-neck or 5th wheel hitch?.

Understand that goose-neck gives more flex when turning tight corners, but have also heard that 5th wheel provides smoother ride.

Appreciate other perspectives!

jimcumminsw · 03-21-2025, 09:11 AM

I have had two different trucks and three different 5ers. All pulled with a sliding hitch in the bed since both trucks were short beds.

My reason for the hitch over a gooseneck design, is will the frame on a 5er withstand the forces being applied to it and not fail. I don't know, but I have never done a free body diagram on a 5er frame to make an actually informed decision.

I have asked dealers and the 5er manufacturers at rallies and all they would say is the frame warranty would be void if pulled with a gooseneck hitch.

So, in my humble opinion why tempt fates!

Others may tempt fate and say don't worry. So, it is up to you to make that decision.

NH Geezer · 03-21-2025, 09:57 AM

Yeah, not loving that thought...

Are you using a Gen-Y on your 5th wheel?

BEACH · 03-21-2025, 10:04 AM

Not hitch related….
However…. We made the same switch..class A to fiver….
Much more living space…..however DW wasn’t happy not being able to, as needed walk down the hall to use the facilities….
And I wasn’t happy having to, as needed find a place to pull off the road to open up the fiver for accessing the facilities

We went back to an A

MFL · 03-21-2025, 10:04 AM

While a gooseneck, such as the gen-y pinbox is a good option, I prefer a user friendly actual FW hitch, such as the B&W 3300 for OEM Ford puck system. You don't say if you have puck system, but it is a big step up from using the older rail system.

With an actual hitch, it is easy to see for hookup, and requires no safety chains.

R.M.A · 03-21-2025, 10:08 AM

All of what Jim mentioned, and if you ever need a tow, as I did when my truck blew up near Flagstaff, a gooseneck will complicate your issue. I always try to plan for the worst and hope for the best.

NH Geezer · 03-21-2025, 10:23 AM

Nothing yet, but considering the puck system.

Thank you.

NH Geezer · 03-21-2025, 10:25 AM

Crossed our minds, no doubt.

5th wheel will result in more breaks, during travel. Biggest driver for us was that the DP sat around unused for too long, at a high cost of taxes and insurance.

We'll see how it goes.

traveldawg · 03-21-2025, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NH Geezer

We have decided to pivot from A Class to 5th wheel. Getting a 2025 GD Reflection 367BHS.

Have to add hitch to back of F350 SD. Given that we are starting with a clean slate, would you go for goose-neck or 5th wheel hitch?.

Understand that goose-neck gives more flex when turning tight corners, but have also heard that 5th wheel provides smoother ride.

Appreciate other perspectives!

First - I HIGHLY recommend you get a long bed truck to avoid all the issues and turning questions associated with short bed trucks.

About the 5th wheel hitch versus the gooseneck.... After removing my Roth-Flex OEM hitch I put on a MorRyde 5th wheel hitch; it rode better. Getting sick of having to remove a 300 pound slider hitch in my short bed I got a long bed and a Reese Goosebox. The ride it so much better now - zero chucking.

I got the Reese over the Gen-Y for 2 reasons: 1) it is a few inches longer so there is more clearance between the truck and the camper; 2) it is adjustable via the amount of air you put in it, so you can tune it a bit for a good ride.

NH Geezer · 03-21-2025, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveldawg

First - I HIGHLY recommend you get a long bed truck to avoid all the issues and turning questions associated with short bed trucks.

About the 5th wheel hitch versus the gooseneck.... After removing my Roth-Flex OEM hitch I put on a MorRyde 5th wheel hitch; it rode better. Getting sick of having to remove a 300 pound slider hitch in my short bed I got a long bed and a Reese Goosebox. The ride it so much better now - zero chucking.

I got the Reese over the Gen-Y for 2 reasons: 1) it is a few inches longer so there is more clearance between the truck and the camper; 2) it is adjustable via the amount of air you put in it, so you can tune it a bit for a good ride.

Long bed was the intent, but we bought the shorter version of the '22 F350 6.7 SD. I was not the deciding factor! 'Nough said.

Good feedback on the Reese Goosebox. Seeing them at etrailer.com. May give them a call to find out what they are willing to share on frame warranty issues, if any.

Appreciate it.

High Road Travelers · 03-21-2025, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveldawg

First - I HIGHLY recommend you get a long bed truck to avoid all the issues and turning questions associated with short bed trucks.

About the 5th wheel hitch versus the gooseneck.... After removing my Roth-Flex OEM hitch I put on a MorRyde 5th wheel hitch; it rode better. Getting sick of having to remove a 300 pound slider hitch in my short bed I got a long bed and a Reese Goosebox. The ride it so much better now - zero chucking.

I got the Reese over the Gen-Y for 2 reasons: 1) it is a few inches longer so there is more clearance between the truck and the camper; 2) it is adjustable via the amount of air you put in it, so you can tune it a bit for a good ride.

I have the Reese Goosebox also and it works well. Some of the frame makers are now approving gooseneck towing. Our Brinkley is approved for gooseneck. I like the gooseneck as it allows me to use the full bed of the truck when needed; no bulky hitch to remove and take up space when not towing. That's the biggest for me to use the gooseneck. A lot of people like the Gen Y gooseneck also.
Thanks,

Trvltrash · 03-22-2025, 07:35 AM

Reese Goosebox for me, long box truck, rides great. Most not all frames are Lippert, I just called them and emailed them asking if it was ok to use and they actually sent me an email stating that it was.

Wileykid · 03-22-2025, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NH Geezer

Long bed was the intent, but we bought the shorter version of the '22 F350 6.7 SD. I was not the deciding factor! 'Nough said.

Good feedback on the Reese Goosebox. Seeing them at etrailer.com. May give them a call to find out what they are willing to share on frame warranty issues, if any.
Appreciate it.

If the frame is a Lippert, it is approved for the Reese Goosebox. Matter of fact, Lippert is heavily invested in Reese, so no warranty issues. The Gen-Y is a really good gooseneck, but not approved by Lippert. Gen-Y said that the cost was prohibitive to get the approval. As if it would void the warranty, I think it wouldn't, but the cost to prove that could be too much. Brinkley has approved the Gen-Y.

I just switched over to the Reese Goosebox on my 36' GD Momentum. I have a short bed, and use the Gen-Y 5" offset. I live on a small road, and a steep driveway, and don't like to play the odds. I have only pulled the trailer for about 20 miles to test it after I put it on, and a much better ride than the 5th wheel hitches I have had.

Jack Klompus · 03-22-2025, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NH Geezer

We have decided to pivot from A Class to 5th wheel. Getting a 2025 GD Reflection 367BHS.

Have to add hitch to back of F350 SD. Given that we are starting with a clean slate, would you go for goose-neck or 5th wheel hitch?.

Understand that goose-neck gives more flex when turning tight corners, but have also heard that 5th wheel provides smoother ride.

Appreciate other perspectives!

Your question is which would I use, and I can tell you I use a fifth wheel hitch, so that's my answer.

Plenty use a Gooseneck, not my preference. If I did it would certainly be something like a Gen Y.

Why do heavy commercial tractor-trailers use a fifth wheel hitch?