Why is 5th wheel standard vs Gooseneck?
Been doing a lot of research in my preparation for buying a fifth wheel. One of the things that has surprised me is the use of the 5th wheel over a gooseneck design. Considering the weight and space t...
Forum Discussion
Walaby wrote:
Reese Goosebox weighs about 225lbs. My Pullrite Superglide weighs nearly 300, but I know other 5th wheel hitches weigh less than 300, so weight difference is probably overall minimal. Of course, if Goosebox REPLACES existing pinbox (which Im guessing it does), then weight differential is greater.
I believe the Reese Goosebox is the only gooseneck that Lippert will not void the warranty if you use.
Ease of hookup is another Im sure, but how much harder is it to hook up a gooseneck than it is to hook up a bumper pull TT?
In terms of why INDUSTRY went this way, Im sure it had to do with the frame stresses and the ability for manufacturers to use cheaper pin boxes, and not have to worry about compatibility. If a buyer wants a different pinbox, they will ask for it and pay for it accordingly.
Mike
With Lippert Frame I would be hesitant to use ANY gooseneck set up
5vrs frame rails for overhead are straight and set wide apart with pin box attached to small channels/brackets
Gooseneck places stress/weight directly upward onto the pin box which does limit distributing of the stress/weight to the outward frames which are NOT braced
Gooseneck trailer has Large Bracing, frames are heavy structure that come to a center point where stress/weight gets distributed back thru those heavy frames to trailer structure supported by the heavy bracing
Simple physics...weight/stress distribution
5vr...use a 5th wheel hitch
Gooseneck...use a ball hitch
