Andersen Aluminum Ultimate Hitch Redesigned

IdaD wrote:

RustyJC wrote:
Let me answer you this way....if ball hitches (including goosenecks) are superior, why aren't they used instead of 5th wheel (kingpin) hitches on Class 8 over-the-road tractor/trailers? Even those rigs towing double use pintle hitches to connect the dolly to the front trailer. As far as the implied integrity of the hitching arrangements, notice that safety chains are not required on kingpin-type hitches but are by some states on all ball hitches.

If you want to get into the design specifics, we can wade off into that discussion another time.

Rusty

Safety chains are required on ball setups because there are more opportunities for error, not because they're inherently weaker. Wrong size ball or failure to lock the hitch and you could have an issue, whereas a kingpin is a kingpin and it locks in automatically.

I like a gooseneck ball on rough terrain. Nice and flexible and no issues hitching or unhitching at an angle. Not an issue in Texas where you can stand on a tuna can and see 20 miles, but it can be important out west. :B

Articulation has been an advantage of a gooseneck-type hitch. That's why goosenecks are the de-facto standard for off road applications such as livestock and agricultural trailers. The articulation advantage of the gooseneck has been greatly negated by the use of modern double-pivot (fore/aft and side-to-side) 5th wheel hitches. I've never had a problem hitching or unhitching on unlevel terrain.

Having said that, I don't tow my 5th wheel off road. In my case, I could tow either way since my B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch is mounted into my B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch, but my preference is to tow 5th wheel trailers with 5th wheel hitches for my on road application.

Rusty