Forum Discussion

dsrace's avatar
dsrace
Explorer
Dec 04, 2021

anyone seen one of these in person?

has anyone seen one of these in person or used one before? converts a bumper hitch to gooseneck with a bolt on GK hitch. looks like a clean way to go..... imo it does anyway. i have been considering this as i seem to get caught in the wind on 90% of my trips.

https://www.bpconversions.com/
Toy Haulers
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Dec 04, 2021
    Very true, to an extent anyway. I have read of people who complain about how their toyhauler tows when the pin weight gets too low. One guy on here took his back to the factory because the he said it was basically undriveable when he had toys loaded due to a very light pin weight. So too light of a pin can adversely affect a fifth wheel. But I don't believe it is as critical as a bumper pull.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Dec 04, 2021
    valhalla360 wrote:
    I would be concerned about insufficient hitch weight.
    - A 5th wheel/gooseneck typically has a 20-25% of the trailer on the hitch and this represents a big part of why they tow so well.
    - A bumper pull is typically 10-15%. Being too light is often the cause of sway.

    By moving the hitch point further forward, it will reduce the percentage hitch weight.

    If you are looking at trailers, just go to a 5th wheel if you want one.
    If you are trying to fix an existing trailer towing problem, get to the scales and see if you are light on the hitch and if so, move weight forward.
    If a 5th should sway, it has little effect on the TV In fact unless you are watching it it the mirror, you probably would not know it. This is because a 5th wheels pin is centered over the rear axle. A bumper pull sits on the ball quite a ways behind the rear axle. So a TT has a lot of leverage to exert force on the TV,,, and as the driver makes steering corrections, the ball goes left or right, sending the TT in the wrong direction, which necessitates another steering correction and on and on. It is a wonder that TTs tow well at all.
    I think that the heavier pin weight of a 5th wheel plays a minor role in how well they tow.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Dec 04, 2021
    @valhalla, you think this is marketed as a solution for too little tongue weight? Seems counterintuitive to me …
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Dec 04, 2021
    Well that looks like a plausible option for big bp toy haulers. If it’s as solid as an actual factory gn hitch.
    Agree. Not well suited to campers with lower % of tongue weight. But plenty of very heavy tw THs out there.

    Better gadget than the TC drop axle we saw on here not too long ago.
    Seems like it’s bolt on not welded. My biggest concern is how to get a fully moment resistant connection that also has zero slop in it. Now or after many miles.
    And of course cost. Didn’t see that advertised….
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Dec 04, 2021
    I would be concerned about insufficient hitch weight.
    - A 5th wheel/gooseneck typically has a 20-25% of the trailer on the hitch and this represents a big part of why they tow so well.
    - A bumper pull is typically 10-15%. Being too light is often the cause of sway.

    By moving the hitch point further forward, it will reduce the percentage hitch weight.

    If you are looking at trailers, just go to a 5th wheel if you want one.
    If you are trying to fix an existing trailer towing problem, get to the scales and see if you are light on the hitch and if so, move weight forward.

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