I have a new to me truck that came with a B&W gooseneck flip over hitch. I am looking into buying a 5th wheel adapter. Which is the best?

B&W Companion 5th Wheel hitch - the newer ones are rated for 20,000 lbs max trailer weight and 5,000 lbs maximum pin weight. It's designed to operate in conjunction with the B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch.Rusty

DrDragon wrote:I have a new to me truck that came with a B&W gooseneck flip over hitch. I am looking into buying a 5th wheel adapter. Which is the best?I will second the B&W Companion FW hitch. Now, if as you imply, you're looking for a FW to GN adapter, check with your FW manufacturer on the advisability of doing this. On a new FW, many, if not most, mfrs will void the frame warranty if you use a GN adapter. If they say they don't have a problem with doing this, get it IN WRITING! If your FW is out of warranty, you can still have frame issues caused by using the adapter. This is caused by the longer lever arm of the adapter providing a twisting moment in the pin box area of the frame (think about how you might use a cheater pipe on a wrench to turn a stuck nut/bolt). This being said, a lot of people have used them, and I know 2 people who used them, but on =small= (like 20-22') FW's. I've seen them on larger ones, but just would not trust the frame on anything =except= a FW built by a company that builds their own frames. Even then, I'd certainly check with them and get, IN WRITING, a warranty exemption for use of an adapter.Lyle

Have to throw in the Andersen Ultimate 5er as an option. That's what I run with the Turnoverball and love it. If you have a short bed it provides ~5in of additional truck cab clearance which is enough to get me to 90* without a slider. Can't beat only having to lift a 70lb hitch into the bed and being able to hang in on the wall in the garage. Tows like a dream as well

Don't forget that if you use an Andersen hitch, you also are required to use safety chains, at least here in AZ, as this is still considered a ball hitch. If the OP's truck doesn't have the safety chain loops installed (I've seen more than one TO Ball installation that doesn't), they might need to be.Lyle

Are you considering a gooseneck adapter for the the 5er? If so, and if you have a new trailer, be aware that SOME trailer manufacturers will void your warranty for using a gooseneck adapter. If you are not under warranty, many owners do use such adapters with no apparent problem.But as mentioned above, you can get the B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch that fits that gooseneck ball opening. And the hitch is relatively easy to remove when not using to give a clean bed.

Best adapter hitch | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

N-Trouble
Explorer
Feb 01, 2015
cutty72 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
Humping the extra distance to clear that he Anderson ball would be a PITA, along with safety chains. Chris

If you can't lift the Andersen over the ball to install it, there is no way you could lift a B&W companion or the like to install that either.

Believe he's referring to having to lift the 5er to clear. If holding the ext/retract button on the landing gear to raise the trailer an extra couple of inches is what one would consider a PITA then try another finger I guess.

I don't run chains but again can't really see the PITA factor of having to hook them to the TV.

What IS a PITA is having to lug around and store a heavy hitch.
NMDriver
Explorer
Jan 31, 2015
I do not know about BEST but I liked my Cody Coupler if your truck already has the 2&7/8in ball the Cody will fit it. They even offer a air ride option :)
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jan 31, 2015
N-Trouble wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

There is no doubt B&W under rates their hitches and Anderson over rates theirs along with others. Kind of like Sears shop vac claiming they. "Develop 6 HP".

Please provide data to support.

I guess common sense does not apply anymore?
Tango__AE7UI
Explorer
Jan 31, 2015
X10 on the B&W and the Companion.
cutty72
Explorer
Jan 31, 2015
Me Again wrote:
Humping the extra distance to clear that he Anderson ball would be a PITA, along with safety chains. Chris

If you can't lift the Andersen over the ball to install it, there is no way you could lift a B&W companion or the like to install that either.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 29, 2015
Humping the extra distance to clear that he Anderson ball would be a PITA, along with safety chains. Chris
N-Trouble
Explorer
Jan 29, 2015
Cummins12V98 wrote:

There is no doubt B&W under rates their hitches and Anderson over rates theirs along with others. Kind of like Sears shop vac claiming they. "Develop 6 HP".

Please provide data to support.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Jan 29, 2015
gkainz wrote:
Does the Anderson ONLY connect to a turnover ball? Or any gooseneck ball?

"A" gooseneck ball. It wouldn't know the difference between a B&W or some other brand.

They also make a version that attaches to industry standard in-bed rails
gkainz
Explorer
Jan 29, 2015
Does the Anderson ONLY connect to a turnover ball? Or any gooseneck ball?
cutty72
Explorer
Jan 29, 2015
N-Trouble wrote:
Have to throw in the Andersen Ultimate 5er as an option. That's what I run with the Turnoverball and love it. If you have a short bed it provides ~5in of additional truck cab clearance which is enough to get me to 90* without a slider. Can't beat only having to lift a 70lb hitch into the bed and being able to hang in on the wall in the garage. Tows like a dream as well

Another vote for the Andersen Ultimate.
Love mine, tow a 40' TH (14k GVWR) with no issues.
Much easier to install/remove, and more affordable. Not to mention there is more movement allowed vs a standard 5th wheel hitch.

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Best adapter hitch

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