5th Wheel Hitch Adapter.

Thanks for all of the posts, both Pro and Con. I appreciate the Input. After talking to other People, not just on this Forum. I have decided to go with a conventional 5th Wheel Hitch. Thanks to everyone who responded. Since I have come to a decision, I will discontinue my Subscription to this Thread.

I would add that the ball/Gooseneck adapter adds the benefit of gently/slowly raising the trailer onto or off the ball, and its either on the ball when hitching up (or not!), so it would be very hard to drop the trailer on your bedrails as too often occurs with standard hitch mistakes. Usually no need to chock the trailer wheels.
No frame problems to date.

ventrman wrote:
I have read most of the Discussions on this Subject. Most People that have been Detractors in this are those that speak from having no Experience using one.
Nothing will work if you do not use it.
I am looking for Comments from those that have used one. I want to know their Experiences, Pro or Con. Please do not respond if you have never used one. I do not want my Thread to degenerate into an Argument as to why they will not work. Thanks.

We used the one in your first link for three years with no problems.

We pulled that trailer to AK. and when we got home we packed the wheel bearing and went to CA. That was just to let you know that we used the trailer most all year.

The only thing I did not like was the safety chains that are required in TX.

We have the B & W now because of the warranty thing on the trailer when it was new.

ventrman wrote:
I have read most of the Discussions on this Subject. Most People that have been Detractors in this are those that speak from having no Experience using one..

I have no experience jumping from a bridge, and without talking to any bridge jumpers, can still judge it to be a bad thing. Same can be said for driving under the influence and so many other things. But generally, the less obvious the answer, the greater the need for detailed objective information.

ventrman wrote:
Nothing will work if you do not use it.

Agreed, the brain is an amazing thing.

ventrman wrote:
I am looking for Comments from those that have used one. I want to know their Experiences, Pro or Con. Please do not respond if you have never used one. I do not want my Thread to degenerate into an Argument as to why they will not work. Thanks.

In case you missed this in all the discussions you have read so far, here is a quote from the Feb. 2014 issue of Trailer Life, page 65, from PopUpHitch. "The system's patented self-latching coupler makes for an easy hitch and unhitch, and with a GVWR of 24,000 pounds (6,500 maximum hitch weight), according to the company, it will handle just about any fifth-wheel that has a strong enough frame for a gooseneck conversion" So, all you need to do is ask each GN user exactly how they determined that there brand, model and floor plan did have a strong enough frame and then you will know how to determine if your frame is also strong enough. The above quote is almost identical to what Andersen Hitch had on their web site a few years ago.

I will add this, as already mentioned, the Andersen Ultimate hitch is the only GN adaptor that does not add stress to the fiver frame. And with it's elevated ball is easier to align. A great move by Andersen. Your response to this input was

ventrman wrote:
Thanks for the Link. They also have a Ranch Hitch Adapter. Would those be OK?

reveals you don't yet understand (want to understand?) the issue of frame stress.

Kenc_AL wrote:
I purchased the Camping World version in Sept 2012 when I bought new F250 that had factory gooseneck ball. I installed it immediately on a 34' 2004 Alumnscape and I have towed it 7,400 miles subsequent with no issue.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/15-gooseneck-extension/21064

Regarding above post
1. "Spot on alignment required when hitching up." Comment: Untrue - you can mis-align approx 1 inch all four ways (side fore/aft) and due to the cup shape of the hitch, when you lower the weight onto the ball, the unit will adjust and slip into place. I do agree backing into the 5th for hookup is a little easier.My daughter has a GN horse trailer, I find it far more difficult to hook up. #1 Can't see the ball from the cab, got a $4.99 magnetic parts pickup to make alignment easier, still far more work than with a 5th wheel.

2. "Raising the trailer up 4 or 5 additional inches when disconnecting or hitch up. Lot of extra work on the landing gear and waiting to the trailer to go up and down slowly." Comment: Absolutely 100% untrue. The gooseneck unit hooks and rides the RV at the same level as a 5th wheel. I think you have the bed of the truck driving that issue! The landing gear works no less than or no more than a 5th wheel. Well you don't understand this remark at all! to drop my 5er I run the LG down just far enough to take part of the weight off of the hitch. Then pull out and leave it there for next time I hook up. GN you need to remove all the weight on the hitch PLUS the necessary distance to clear the ball.


3. "Requirement for safety chains because of the ball and coupler. Gooseneck hitches require safety chains. Anderson is very vague on this issue and now offers a safety chain kit option." Comment - this is true. I researched when I bought and many states require chains, some recommend, some they are not required. Trailer Life is where I got my information in 2012. I personally use them because several of my adjacent states require them and if involved in accident, I do not want that liability. While not all states require chains, as you state if you travel into on that requires them, you need them. One more thing to deal with.

My bottom line - Yes I would do again. I like the extra bed space. The only negative is crawing on your belly in a wet bed to hookup the safety chains. Everything else is a plus.

I loved math and physics in school, while many use without issue, I am sure there are others that have damaged frames. The hitch post on my daughters 2 horse GN (10,000# GVWR) is more reinforced than the attachment on the pin box on our 12,300# GVWR 5er.

I don't loose that much bed space, and I store about 99% of my needs in the 5ers basement.

Kenc_AL wrote:


2. "Raising the trailer up 4 or 5 additional inches when disconnecting or hitch up. Lot of extra work on the landing gear and waiting to the trailer to go up and down slowly." Comment: Absolutely 100% untrue. The gooseneck unit hooks and rides the RV at the same level as a 5th wheel. I think you have the bed of the truck driving that issue! The landing gear works no less than or no more than a 5th wheel.

To unhook a 5th wheel trailer you raise it the 2 inches or so to take the wieght off the truck, unlatch and drive out.

Next time you are out, raise your trailer until the weight is just off the truck. Then release the gooseneck hitch, jump in and drive out from under the trailer. OH NO! Trailer has to raise the additional distance to clear the goose ball!!!!!

And where would I carry our golf clubs, as you can not really have a box mounted in the back on the bed.



Chris

I purchased the Camping World version in Sept 2012 when I bought new F250 that had factory gooseneck ball. I installed it immediately on a 34' 2004 Alumnscape and I have towed it 7,400 miles subsequent with no issue.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/15-gooseneck-extension/21064

Regarding above post
1. "Spot on alignment required when hitching up." Comment: Untrue - you can mis-align approx 1 inch all four ways (side fore/aft) and due to the cup shape of the hitch, when you lower the weight onto the ball, the unit will adjust and slip into place. I do agree backing into the 5th for hookup is a little easier.

2. "Raising the trailer up 4 or 5 additional inches when disconnecting or hitch up. Lot of extra work on the landing gear and waiting to the trailer to go up and down slowly." Comment: Absolutely 100% untrue. The gooseneck unit hooks and rides the RV at the same level as a 5th wheel. I think you have the bed of the truck driving that issue! The landing gear works no less than or no more than a 5th wheel.


3. "Requirement for safety chains because of the ball and coupler. Gooseneck hitches require safety chains. Anderson is very vague on this issue and now offers a safety chain kit option." Comment - this is true. I researched when I bought and many states require chains, some recommend, some they are not required. Trailer Life is where I got my information in 2012. I personally use them because several of my adjacent states require them and if involved in accident, I do not want that liability.

My bottom line - Yes I would do again. I like the extra bed space. The only negative is crawing on your belly in a wet bed to hookup the safety chains. Everything else is a plus.

Anytime you use a gooseneck ball or a modified gooseneck ball like the Anderson Hitch there are few other issues that would stop me.

1. Spot on alignment required when hitching up.
2. Raising the trailer up 4 or 5 additional inches when disconnecting or hitch up. Lot of extra work on the landing gear and waiting to the trailer to go up and down slowly.
3. Requirement for safety chains because of the ball and coupler. Gooseneck hitches require safety chains. Anderson is very vague on this issue and now offers a safety chain kit option.

Chris

May also want to consider/investigate the Star Performance Kingpin (Gooseneck) adapter. It includes a glider motion to ease stress. Have towed since 07 using it successfully.

copeland343 wrote:
Lippert sells a Goosebox. I use a Colibert adapter with no problems. Check the link below it is from Lippert the frame manufacturer so there should be no problems using it.

http://www.lci1.com/goose-box

Thanks. That is the kind of Reply I wanted,