Just something I have noticed around in campgrounds but why do some people convert their 5er to a goose neck? Is there a difference in towing or is it usually done by folks that own additional goose neck trailers so they don't need to switch hitches in truck bed? Just curious

Most likely ...multiuseBut there are some that think it is betterBiggest issue is 5th wheel pin box frame/structure are NOT designed for that type of strain/pressure Just look at how a gooseneck trailer is built vs a 5th wheel overhang frame

And then their are those that think a goose-neck is "all that".

He may be referring to a "goosebox" which does not cause issues with your chassis warranty. The one I am thinking of is made by Reese, however there is another out there that I have seen but do not remember the manufacturer.Oh, and I would use it (if I could) so I do not have to remove a 250lb fifth wheel hitch in/out of my truck bed if I wanted to use my pickup as a... well... pickup.//KMac

Probably people who have other gooseneck trailers. And/or those who grew up with or worked with farm, stock, and implement gooseneck trailers. But those are designed specifically for the gooseneck hitch.The rigid gooseneck adapters for 5ers put stresses on a trailer frame that a standard 5th wheel hitch does not. And some manufacturers will void the warranty on a new 5th if you use one. But, having said that, many do it any way and seem to have no problem with them. The Goosebox (with air ride and shock absorber) is the only one I have heard of that is actually acceptable to some manufacturers.

A goosneck where the ball is at the floor of the pickup bed, creates a longer leaver arm on the trailer frame. If it's a light weight trailer with an overbuilt frame, that may be OK. If it's heavier and not built so well, it can be a problem...particularly if you are on rough roads. These variations in weight and driving conditions explain why some people go years with no issues and others quickly break something in the frame.You may occasionally see a mount where it's a gooseneck ball but on a raised frame, pretty much the same height as a regular 5th wheel hitch. That shouldn't have any impact on the stress the trailer frame sees as the lever arm is roughly the same.As to why? Most already have a gooseneck ball in the truck and it takes up very little space when not towing...vs a big heavy hitch that eats up a 1/3 of the truck bed when not towing.

5th wheel adapter for goose neck | Good Sam Community

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Oct 23, 2020
SUMRX4 wrote:
Just something I have noticed around in campgrounds but why do some people convert their 5er to a goose neck? Is there a difference in towing or is it usually done by folks that own additional goose neck trailers so they don't need to switch hitches in truck bed?
Just curious

I have GN trailers and a 5th wheel rv trailer...and have had 5th wheel flatdeck trailers.
Its no problem for me anyway to switch hitches or any major difference in the way the combo tows.

Everyone that uses a GN adapter has different reasons for doing so but I would bet they have other trailer types also.

I also see folks using GN adapters at events like rodeo's....farm sales/stock yards/fair grounds/all types work events where one might need a rv camper to stay a few nites.

All kinds of reasons GN adapters are being used.
cummins2014
Explorer
Oct 23, 2020
Allworth wrote:
Poor penetration!

Welder should go hide under the bed after doing that.

Poor penetration, plus should of been welded all the way around. Probably another one of those I welded in high school guys, okay you are hired .
n0arp
Explorer
Oct 22, 2020
Allworth wrote:
Poor penetration!

Welder should go hide under the bed after doing that.

Haha, well said. These would have failed eventually regardless of the pinbox/hitch in use.
Allworth
Explorer II
Oct 22, 2020
Poor penetration!

Welder should go hide under the bed after doing that.
n0arp
Explorer
Oct 22, 2020
You can damage the frame with any hitch/pinbox. I have two broken welds behind my pin box, but I don't blame them on the Goosebox. Poor welding, bad roads, and off road travel are all part of the equation.

The Goosebox may not have helped things, but your individual usage has a lot to do with it. There are thousands of people who put tens of thousands of problem-free miles on Gooseboxes, or even gooseneck adapters, without issue.

In the process of welding a bunch of guessets and bracing on now. Keeping an eye on your trailer and looking for small changes each time you hook up will go a long way to prevent major damages. Things happen, and I just happened to think the trailer was sitting a hair closer to the bed rails than normal a week ago. Pulled back the trim to find this:

In this case, Lippert used inverted angle and only welded one leg. I think the angle is too thin, and the welds needed to be on both legs, to survive what I ask of them - regardless of hitch. This was a ticking time bomb even with the stock pin box and TrailerSaver BD3 I ran before. If anything, the Goosebox just made it happen sooner.

Damages, often with unknown causes, are a fact of life when you RV. Some things are quick to be blamed, even when they're not the root cause - there are multiple intertwined factors at play.
Michelle_S
Explorer III
Oct 15, 2020
I think if you research a little deeper, you will find that a lot more states than just Texas require chains. It's considered a "Ball Hitch" and a majority of states require chains with ball hitches.
Njmurvin
Explorer
Oct 14, 2020
Andersen is on the fence about the subject of safety chains. They still consider themselves exempt because they're still a fifth wheel hitch. But, because they use a ball, one could argue that it's still a ball hitch and requires chains. Since I never want to have this discussion with the CHP, I have installed the safety chain kit for my Andersen Ultimate hitch. It literally takes about 30 seconds to attach the chains.

One thing bugs me about the anchor point in the truck bed for the chains. The chains attach to a bracket that slips over the gooseneck ball down at the truck bed level. If the trailer to upper ball connection fails, the chains should work as intended. However, if the gooseneck ball breaks or separates from the hitch assembly, the chains will likely come off and the trailer will break free. I wanted to use the other puck holes in my truck bed to anchor the chains and eliminate the single point of failure - but the AUH partially blocks the holes.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Oct 14, 2020
I did inquire about safety chains and was told they were only required in Texas. I like to be on the cautious side and plan to get them.

Yeah... in Oklahoma were required to use chains with a ball type hitch.
"Coupling Device For Trailer, Semitrailer, Manufactured Home, or Towed Motor Vehicle"

A. Every trailer, semitrailer, manufactured home, or towed motor vehicle shall be equipped with a coupling device....snip.

1. "snip.
2. Chains, cables or a safety device which provides strength, security of attachment and directional stability equal to or greater than that provided by safety chains and which prevent parting from the drawing vehicle should the regular coupling device break or otherwise become disengaged. The safety device shall be designed, constructed, and installed so that if the coupling device fails or becomes disconnected the coupling device will not drop to the ground.

Most states require by them per code but there are a few states that recommend safety chains but no codes requiring them.
TXiceman
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2020
cut up wrote:
I recently bought my first 5th wheel (Cougar Half Ton 25res), and the dealer put in an Anderson Ultimate hitch. It’s easy to hook up and disconnect. I did inquire about safety chains and was told they were only required in Texas. I like to be on the cautious side and plan to get them.

Even if you are from out of state and travel through Texas, safety chains are required on ALL ball hitches.

Ken
cut_up
Explorer
Oct 14, 2020
I recently bought my first 5th wheel (Cougar Half Ton 25res), and the dealer put in an Anderson Ultimate hitch. It’s easy to hook up and disconnect. I did inquire about safety chains and was told they were only required in Texas. I like to be on the cautious side and plan to get them.