Why Gooseneck?

Dayle1 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
I've come up with another one: the gooseneck allows the trailer to sit lower and have a lower overall height.

Actually, a gooseneck can and does have a stronger frame. And that may mean taller frame section than a fiver. This is entirely because, unlike a fiver, there is no stand up living space above the gooseneck frame. There are many GN horse trailers with living area, BUT not above the gooseneck.

Fivers are constrained to 13.5 ft height and getting stand up space plus frame height plus clearance above the truck bed results in a minimal frame.

Build a gooseneck trailer with living area like a fiver and it will also have a weaker frame like a fiver. Build a fiver without stand up space above the truck bed and it COULD have a stronger frame.

Yeah, if you wanted a V-nose 5th wheel travel trailer without any closet in front, the TT manufacturers could have a frame built strong enough in the front to utilize a gooseneck hitch reliably. As it is now there are enough pin box issues with 5th wheel trailers. Chris

It's a much cheaper hitch required to pull a gooseneck. Most people buying a 10k stock trailer are not going to want to buy a 2k hitch to pull it. It's a whole lot easier to drop a 2 5/16 ball into the bed of a pick up than it is to install the 5ver hitch.

ToddD wrote:
More of a question of why *not* a gooseneck on a 5er.

The answer is: because the leverage of the long gooseneck box exceeds the structural limits of a 5er frame.

Lippert, who makes 90% of the towable RV industry's chassis, will deny a frame failure warranty claim if a gooseneck hitch is found to have been installed

The only case where they would not deny a claim with a gooseneck connected is if the Reese Goose Box was used.

Right on my friend. Gooseneck trailers are not only beefier, the neckover is designed with large gussets to support the load behind. My old 16’ cattle hauler had a neckover around 7’. The neckover was braced with double gussets each side measuring 16”.

"A trailer will move once the required force is applied to the pin regardless of the type of hitch. One hitch does not apply more or less force than another once it is hitched and ready to roll."

This is true as far as it goes. But "how" that force is applied to the frame makes all the difference in the world when it comes to the design of a regular 5th wheel RV.

A gooseneck is easier on the trailer to hook-up. You do not lift up the front with the hitch and push back against the landing legs. You lower the coupler on to the ball. Less stress on the frame and less jolt to any horse or mule in the trailer.

Overall a gooseneck is a better arrangement for towing and does not add stress to the pin or frame, like a 5er does, when it is articulated past the few degrees allowed by a 5er hitch.

A trailer will move once the required force is applied to the pin regardless of the type of hitch. One hitch does not apply more or less force than another once it is hitched and ready to roll.

fj12ryder wrote:
I've come up with another one: the gooseneck allows the trailer to sit lower and have a lower overall height.

Actually, a gooseneck can and does have a stronger frame. And that may mean taller frame section than a fiver. This is entirely because, unlike a fiver, there is no stand up living space above the gooseneck frame. There are many GN horse trailers with living area, BUT not above the gooseneck.

Fivers are constrained to 13.5 ft height and getting stand up space plus frame height plus clearance above the truck bed results in a minimal frame.

Build a gooseneck trailer with living area like a fiver and it will also have a weaker frame like a fiver. Build a fiver without stand up space above the truck bed and it COULD have a stronger frame.

More of a question of why *not* a gooseneck on a 5er.

The answer is: because the leverage of the long gooseneck box exceeds the structural limits of a 5er frame.

Lippert, who makes 90% of the towable RV industry's chassis, will deny a frame failure warranty claim if a gooseneck hitch is found to have been installed

The only case where they would not deny a claim with a gooseneck connected is if the Reese Goose Box was used.

Agree GN better for offroad but what makes a 5er any better for HWY travel???

I tend to agree with much of what fj12ryder listed.

A goosekneck works better off road a fifthwheel is better for highway travel.

I've come up with another one: the gooseneck allows the trailer to sit lower and have a lower overall height.