I recently switched from a cushioned gooseneck extender mounted on my 14,000 gross weight FW trailer to the new Andersen Ultimate hitch made to connect to the gooseneck ball in the bed of my truck. This was because I did not want permanent rails in the back of my new truck.
With the cushioned gooseneck extender, I had frequent up and down movement felt in the truck from the trailer rocking fore and aft. Switching to the Andersen Ultimate hitch completely stopped that oscillating movement. The cushion in the extender seemed to be adding to that motion instead of dampening it.
With the same trailer, I have used a Reese 16K standard 4-way tilt 5th wheel hitch (in truck #1), a gooseneck with a Convert-a-ball cushioned 5th wheel extender/adapter (in truck #2) and the same gooseneck with the Andersen Ultimate hitch (again in truck #2).
Hands down, the Andersen Ultimate was the best experience for me. No chucking at all (no slop) and rare up-an-down motion felt from the trailer.
Truck #1 was a 2001 Dodge Cummins 3/4 ton with 1 ton rear suspension (extra spring leaf added at factory as a camper special option). Truck #2 is a 2009 Dodge/Ram Cummins 1 ton dually. No air bags added nor needed in either truck.
I remove and store the Andersen Ultimate hitch when not towing the 5th wheel trailer. My gooseneck hitch is a pop-up ball. After lowering the ball below the bed and placing the protective cap over the hole, the bed of my truck is completely flat.
