I never thought to look at the gooseneck ball mount on the new to me 06 Ram 3500 I bought about a month ago for a TV. Well, to my surprise I found the previous owner must have pulled the box off and then just welded a 1" x 12" plate across the top of the frame for the ball and safety chain loops. Problem is I may not be able to put the frame mount for the 5th wheel rails in... I am waiting for a Reese 5th Wheel Quick Outboard Frame mount kit to arrive and try. If it doesn't fit around this plate, it looks like I'm going to have to change the trailer to a goose neck hitch. How big of P.I.A. is it to use? Surely they can't be that difficult, but I really want to be hooking and unhooking the thing to be as effortless as possible. A big part of the reason I bought what I did instead of a Class A motorhome was so I would be able to use the pickup at our destinations...

probably not something i would want to do. seems to me it would be better/easier to change the hitch in the truck :h

Fix the truck. While many people use a GN hitch adapter on FW trailers it can cause major frame cracks. It can also void the trailer's warranty.There was a post on here a month or so ago about a guy who used one and had frame cracks. He was upset at the manufacturer of the adapter and the installer but not himself for buying it and having it installed.A search on this subject will turn up many hits.

Hooking and unhooking goosenecks are just as easy as a 5ver hitch. However, the problem is 5ver frame strength isn't designed for a gooseneck hitch. Check previos posts about goosenecks on 5vers

WyoTraveler wrote:Hooking and unhooking goosenecks are just as easy as a 5ver hitch. However, the problem is 5ver frame strength isn't designed for a gooseneck hitch. Check previos posts about goosenecks on 5versX2!Your fiver is out of warranty, so that is no longer an issue but YOU will be on the hook for expensive frame repairs if it does crack due to the gooseneck adapter.I agree with the other posters - fix the truck.

I think this guy would like testimony from ACTUAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE THIS. Not third hand information.

Anyone with experience using a gooseneck? | Good Sam Community

afishinado
Explorer II
Jun 16, 2014
The Reese box is the way I will go if I have to. I have a Lippert pin box, so I guess I will take a photo of the plate and talk to Reese. I'm really hoping I don't need to go this route...
DirtyOil
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
As suggested a Reeses Goose Box hitch or the Anderson Ultimate Fifth Wheel hitch. I have used the Anderson Ultimate Hitch, for two years now. The Ultimate is very easy to use, can see the ball through the back window when hitching up. The hitch is super easy to install and remove, very light weight compared to regular fifth wheel hitch.

I have asked several times on this and other forums for someone to post actual Fiver damage due to a goose neck hitch, so far no replies.
Any damaged fiver frames posted have been attached using a regular fifth wheel hitch, where the "frame has been damaged". As posted the Reese Goose Box hitch has been endorsed by Lippert, these were the frames that were prone to so many damaged frame stories.
Cyborgie
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
Come out to Montana in the Oil Patch. Over half of the 5th wheels have drop downs to be transported as a gooseneck. These guys do this so they can have them hauled in or able to move them with their service trucks.
mdamerell
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
I use the Reese Goose Box. It's approved by Lippert for their frames and you can find information about it on their website. It only took the shop a couple of minutes to swap out the pin boxes.

Another option is the B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jun 15, 2014
"Just as easy" is personal opinion. With a 5th wheel hitch you can be off an inch or two side to side and it will align itself as you back into it. And you do not have to worry about front to rear alignment since you are backing into it and it stops when you fully engage. With the gooseneck you must align the hitch directly over the ball.

I agree that the gooseneck hitch puts additional strain on the trailer frame. Yet there are an awful lot of people using the gooseneck adapters seemingly with no problem. If warranty is not an issue, it certainly is an option. However if I did it I would use a Goose Box adapter as it has an air bag and shock absorbers to reduce the extra forces.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2014
Personal opinion....I would just buy an Andersen Ultimate Fifth Wheel hitch that adapts the gooseneck hitch in the truck. It takes away the concern of a conventional gooseneck adaptor.
George_H
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
We towed gooseneck horse trailers for years, a little more fun getting hitch lined up with ball, goes down the road as well as a fifth wheel. Previous posts are correct, fifth wheel trailer frames are not designed to withstand the leverage applied by the gooseneck.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
I think this guy would like testimony from ACTUAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE THIS. Not third hand information.
kaydeejay
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
WyoTraveler wrote:
Hooking and unhooking goosenecks are just as easy as a 5ver hitch. However, the problem is 5ver frame strength isn't designed for a gooseneck hitch. Check previos posts about goosenecks on 5vers
X2!
Your fiver is out of warranty, so that is no longer an issue but YOU will be on the hook for expensive frame repairs if it does crack due to the gooseneck adapter.
I agree with the other posters - fix the truck.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
Hooking and unhooking goosenecks are just as easy as a 5ver hitch. However, the problem is 5ver frame strength isn't designed for a gooseneck hitch. Check previos posts about goosenecks on 5vers