Is there a hitch adapter for a ball in the truck?

Phil Hendrix wrote:
WOW...just way too many options and choices! Again, thanks for all the info guys.

As per your comments...I did look at the top side, underside, and also found the pull lever in driver's wheel well....99.9% sure it is the B&W turn over ball. But the ball is also stuck in there pretty good.... I don't think the PO has use it in years. I can't get the lever to pull out at all. I'm going to have to get under the truck and spray some wd40 on parts and start hitting with a hammer I think.

I am assuming from watching a video on the hitch that the lever pulls straight out?? How hard can I pull w/o breaking something? Suggestions/tips on how to break loose w/o damage?

Thanks,
Phil

Phil, that rod is pretty strong, but I'd, as you say, soak it with WD40, or the like, for a few days. The rod =should= just pull straight back about 3", then a 1/8 turn clockwise is supposed to lock it. I've had my ball jam up a bit and =carefully= used a long screwdriver and block to work it up by prying on the small pin in the base when the ball was down. If the ball is turned up on your truck, then you'll simply have to get underneath with a hammer and punch and drive it out.

Lyle

jcain wrote:
Reese Goose Box. Never lift a heay or awkward hitch in and out of the bed again. Lose less bed space while towing to. You also gain air-ride, shocks and anti-chucking as well. It also doesn't void frame warranty.

Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

GOOSEBOX was a BIG EXPENSIVE FAILURE for me.
What about having to re-air the airbag after most tows? I thought I had a leak it was so bad but the 50PSI Relieve valve "puffs" out the air leaving it so low after almost any 3 hour tow on the roads I've traveled I had to re-air it and its VERY slow to fill. Also, they say you should grease the coupler before EVERY tow using the grease zerk. Way too much maintenance! I put one one my Fiver and the front frame member was cracked/broken on a pothole in TX, a few tows later the Goosebox got twisted after the frame continued to bend and the Fiver settled on my truck rails. My Goosebox was less than a year old and Reese WOULD NOT REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY so since it FAILED my 14K lbs trailer I went back to the Star Performance Adapter. Has served me very well and only needs grease every 2K miles, albeit it does also have chains.

WOW...just way too many options and choices! Again, thanks for all the info guys.

As per your comments...I did look at the top side, underside, and also found the pull lever in driver's wheel well....99.9% sure it is the B&W turn over ball. But the ball is also stuck in there pretty good.... I don't think the PO has use it in years. I can't get the lever to pull out at all. I'm going to have to get under the truck and spray some wd40 on parts and start hitting with a hammer I think.

I am assuming from watching a video on the hitch that the lever pulls straight out?? How hard can I pull w/o breaking something? Suggestions/tips on how to break loose w/o damage?

Thanks,
Phil

I think I'd look for a friend that has a hitch and give him a call and a case of beer!!

The Reese Goose-Box is a $1,000 plus item. I believe people are missing the point. Sounds like the OP has little need for moving their rig, which makes it kind of silly to invest so much in the pin box or hitch.

jcain wrote:
Reese Goose Box. Never lift a heay or awkward hitch in and out of the bed again. Lose less bed space while towing to. You also gain air-ride, shocks and anti-chucking as well. It also doesn't void frame warranty.

Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

From what I've read/heard, the Goosebox =may= not void the frame warranty. I think that only certain frames are rated for it. I could be wrong, but I don't think it's 100%. Also, if you come to AZ like that, you could be cited for no safety chains. All ball hitches must have chains, and a GN =is= a ball.

Lyle

Reese Goose Box. Never lift a heay or awkward hitch in and out of the bed again. Lose less bed space while towing to. You also gain air-ride, shocks and anti-chucking as well. It also doesn't void frame warranty.

Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

Phil Hendrix wrote:


We are not currently using our 5th wheel trailer in a mobile way now, just sits on the site all the time. So rather than try and find a hitch to mount in my truck bed for whenever we do need to relocate...is there some type of adapter I can buy for the trailer hitch to make it function with the ball in the truck?

Thanks for the help,
Phil

Sounds like your needs are very minimal. If that's the case, then you should consider sticking with the minimal mindset. That rules out the B & W Companion and pretty much all other traditional 5th wheel hitches. Also, it doesn't really matter what type of GN ball you have...don't know why so many are hung up on that. If you intend moving your rig once every few years, then the GN king-pin adapter is fine. But for about the same price as that, you can get the Andersen Ultimate steel version and accomplish the same intent.

laknox wrote:

Sport45 wrote:
There may not be a release handle in the wheel well. A few unlock from inside the bed with a latch at the ball.

Huh. Never seen that on a B&W Turnover Ball...

Lyle

Neither have I. It hasn't been determined for sure he has a B&W. In fact, if he doesn't have a release handle in the wheel well that would rule B&W out.

I was just trying to help him narrow down figuring out what he has. The first thing he should do is see if the ball has a square base or not.

Tax_Man wrote:
I have seen the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection - Gooseneck to 5th Wheel Adapter. It looks like it works like a normal 5th wheel hitch would. I talked to a couple of people that have one and they say it is great.

It would have way less flex than the tube type adapter. It also leaves your bed flat for regular hauling. It is my next upgrade when I get the 5th wheel we are lookin at.

Basically, you're moving the ball up into the same plane as the kingpin on a FW hitch, so you don't get the torsion forces on the frame that a GN adapter give you.

Lyle