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Big_O_KC_Chief's avatar
Big_O_KC_Chief
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015

5th wheel with a gooseneck conversion in a short bed Dodge

Hello all.
First, It's veterans day and I wan't to say Thank You to all Veterans who may read this. My freedom is not free and I thank you for serving our country so I can live as I do.
Here is my dilemma. I've got a 27 ft 5th wheel that I've pulled behind a a half ton short bed for a couple years with no problem.
I recently just bought a 2009 3/4 ton Ram with the 6.7 cummins and a short bed that has a flip over Gooseneck hitch in the bed of it.
I really like the flip over idea as it keeps the bed free for hauling other stuff. I really do not want to have to put a 5th wheel hitch in the back of it if I don't have to.
I've seen other people use the bolt on conversions to the 5th wheel so it can be hooked up to the gooseneck hitch; is that a good way to tow and would I have room for turning so the it doesn't hit the cab?


Any and all replies will be greatly appreciated.

10 Replies

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  • Big_O_KC_Chief's avatar
    Big_O_KC_Chief
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2015
    Thank you Chris and Thank you all for your detailed replies.
    Hopefully I can help answer others questions or give insight to something need here in the forum.
    This is a great site with great people.
  • csamayfield55x's avatar
    csamayfield55x
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2015
    my FIL just had me put an Anderson on his short bed 3500 Ram. I cranked it around far enough the wheels looked like they were going to pop off the rims. With his setup I did end up having to turn the adapter with the ball in the back so the pin box would clear the tailgate. It took a few adjustments to get it just right, but it works awesome

    Chris
  • Searching_Ut's avatar
    Searching_Ut
    Explorer
    Nov 12, 2015
    Big O KC Chief wrote:
    Thank you all for your replies.
    Does this Anderson hitch work in a short bed?
    The B&W flip-over gooseneck ball installed on the truck appears to be in front of the rear axle (toward the front of the cab) and my older truck has the fifth wheel centered right over the axle? That makes me wonder if this anderson hitch will work on my short bed dodge.
    Looking forward to this weekend here in Missouri, gun rifle deer season opens up and I've seen more deer this year than I ever have.


    When you install the Andersen hitch, it moves the ball back approximately 4 inches from the one in the bed. I use mine in a shortbed truck, but the 5er has the cutouts so I am still able to get a pretty decent angle in a turn, although not necessarily a full 90 degrees. For 90 degrees with a shortbed you'll need a slider, or something similar.
  • RustyJC's avatar
    RustyJC
    Explorer
    Nov 12, 2015
    If you already have the B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch, with your shortbed truck you might want to consider the B&W RVK3400 Companion sliding hitch. It mounts directly into the B&W Turnoverball gooseneck receiver.

    Rusty
  • Big_O_KC_Chief's avatar
    Big_O_KC_Chief
    Explorer
    Nov 12, 2015
    Thank you all for your replies.
    Does this Anderson hitch work in a short bed?
    The B&W flip-over gooseneck ball installed on the truck appears to be in front of the rear axle (toward the front of the cab) and my older truck has the fifth wheel centered right over the axle? That makes me wonder if this anderson hitch will work on my short bed dodge.
    Looking forward to this weekend here in Missouri, gun rifle deer season opens up and I've seen more deer this year than I ever have.
  • csamayfield55x's avatar
    csamayfield55x
    Explorer
    Nov 12, 2015
    Yeah, go with the Anderson. That is one very neat piece of equipment. Does not add extra stress to the trailer and is a breeze to get in and out of the bed

    Chris
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Nov 12, 2015
    The anderson is different but if you just go with a gooseneck extension, check with the manufacturer first.

    A standard gooseneck hitch will put more stress on the trailer frame where the pinbox attaches. It may be designed for it or it may not.
  • cmeade's avatar
    cmeade
    Explorer
    Nov 12, 2015
    Have a friend with the gooseneck adapter on his toyhauler 5ver. He has a hard time lining up the hitch over the ball. He and I both have B&W gooseneck hitches in our Ram 3500 megacabs so I loaned him my companion fifth wheel hitch to try in his pickup. He towed his trailer about 20 miles and ordered his own B&W companion that day. He claimed nite and day difference!!
  • Searching_Ut's avatar
    Searching_Ut
    Explorer
    Nov 12, 2015
    I second the Andersen Ultimate. About 85 pounds for the steel version 35ish for aluminum. A fifth wheel gooseneck adapter puts leverage on the kingpin arm, and with many 5er frames being marginal already it could lead to problems. Use the Andersen adapter to bring the ball to the kingpin and you end up with the same stresses at the kingpin it was designed for. How well the design process went......
  • Ed9824v's avatar
    Ed9824v
    Explorer
    Nov 12, 2015
    Big O KC Chief wrote:
    Hello all.
    First, It's veterans day and I wan't to say Thank You to all Veterans who may read this. My freedom is not free and I thank you for serving our country so I can live as I do.
    Here is my dilemma. I've got a 27 ft 5th wheel that I've pulled behind a a half ton short bed for a couple years with no problem.
    I recently just bought a 2009 3/4 ton Ram with the 6.7 cummins and a short bed that has a flip over Gooseneck hitch in the bed of it.
    I really like the flip over idea as it keeps the bed free for hauling other stuff. I really do not want to have to put a 5th wheel hitch in the back of it if I don't have to.
    I've seen other people use the bolt on conversions to the 5th wheel so it can be hooked up to the gooseneck hitch; is that a good way to tow and would I have room for turning so the it doesn't hit the cab?


    Any and all replies will be greatly appreciated.


    Anderson Hitch, is what my boy is using, it uses the ball in the bed to atacha a pyramid frame that connects to the 5er trailer hitch the whole thing ways about 5o lbs. rated for I believe 30k lbs. check it out.

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