FIFTH WHEEL VS. GOOSENECK

Wish my Goosebox did not require re-airing the airbag after almost every tow as it has a 50PSI pressure relief valve that apparently squirted out the 40-45 PSI I put in the bag, and was very slow to refill for such a small airbag. Also, my instructions indicated the coupler should be greased before every tow. And after my frame broke and "bent" the Goosebox after only having it for 8 months, it was not a warranty failure and despite claiming they did not know of any failures, Reese refused to provide a new Goosebox. Cannot recommend it.

X2 on the Andersen. At least check them out.

Andersen Ultimate places the connection point at King pin and avoids the increased leverage stress that other ball attach hitches use. It's that leverage stress that cause frame issues. As a bonus, the Andersen is so light it saves about 100# of payload. I have one and like and recommend.

I would recommend to the OP to call the manufacturer of his 5th wheel and get the correct answer, straight from the horses mouth, so to speak....They're the one's that manufactured the 5er and the one that will have final say-so in a warranty issue.. If they say a GN is ok, there you go, if they say no, then you just got a definitive answer from the manufacturer of your 5er....Only takes a phone call and you don't have to ponder the question.....get the correct answer.

I have the Goose Box 20K and would recommend it!

Clear P/U Bed even with the ball left in.
Solid connection between the truck and trailer and no banging/clunking sounds.
No chucking and great ride due to the airbag and shocks.
5er can not accidentally "fall off" hitch.
Approved by Lippert and will not void my warranty!
Approved by Keystone and will not void my warranty!

Takes a couple of times to get used to hooking up and those safety chains take a whole 30 seconds to come on and off. You cannot take a 5er hitch out quicker than that!

TexasUltra wrote:
My next trailer will be a fifth wheel. I've seen some 5'rs using an attachment that hooks to a goose neck hitch in the truck.
What are the pros and cons of each set up. My truck is factory ready for either type.
I'm certain the goose neck ball is easier to remove from the bed, but is it less stable in the wind than a 5th wheel hitch?
Any other experiences you'd like to share?
Manufacturer and type of best set-up?

With a gooseneck you'll need safety chains; FW hitch does not need them. As others have said, many mfrs will void the frame warranty if you use a GN adapter. I have, and use both GN and FW hitches and, other than putting the FW hitch in and out of my truck, it's much easier to hitch up than the GN, at least =my= GN, anyway. I'm a B&W "fanboy", and have no problem recommending their products =and= the company.

Lyle

Andersen Ultimate Aluminum

If you are serious about a gooseneck like I was take a look at the Open Range Light series. They are the ONLY unit out there with a factory gooseneck hitch or a 5th wheel! We just picked up our 311FLR and it tow's like a dream on my B&W turnover ball

Chris

TexasUltra wrote:
My next trailer will be a fifth wheel. I've seen some 5'rs using an attachment that hooks to a goose neck hitch in the truck.
What are the pros and cons of each set up. My truck is factory ready for either type.
I'm certain the goose neck ball is easier to remove from the bed, but is it less stable in the wind than a 5th wheel hitch?
Any other experiences you'd like to share?
Manufacturer and type of best set-up?

I would use what the trailer is designed for since the truck can go either way. Anything else would be "Southern Engineering".

donn0128 wrote:
Search the forum using the search function near the top of the page. Probably a hundred pages on this subject already.

X2