5th Wheel Hitch or Gooseneck Hitch?

Question

I have a few questions and would like your opinion.  We have a 2011 4X4 Ram Diesel Crewcab long bed DRW and we use it to haul a horse trailer most of the time, but we also have a 5th wheel that we have not been able to use since we sold our Ford.  I have been kicking around the idea of just getting the gooseneck hitch since our 5th wheel has the adapter already on it.  We used a Firebhawk hitch many years ago, which was both, but we have gotten rid of it and I don't think they are in business anymore.  We would haul the 5th wheel more then a gooseneck and we want to travel more with our 5th wheel. Our 5th wheel is 1994 29 ft with 1 slide. I see there are newer type hitches that have some type of suspension (Trailer Saver air-ride hitches and ???), and I would like to know what your thoughts are on my questions.  Thank you.

choochooman74 · Answer

Welcome to the forum.Does your Ram have a B&amp;W Turnover ball?  If so, they also have a fifth wheel hitch that works with their system.If it doesn't, Look into the Andersen Ultimate Fifth Wheel Connection.The subject of gooseneck adapters is a touchy subject on the forums.  Some people swear that they use them and work good.  Others report issue due to torquing created by a lever effect because not the truck is pulling the trailer at the end of a long rod instead of up high.  You are sure to get a lot of comments.

socaldesertrid1 · Answer

B&amp;W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch with B&amp;W Companion fifth wheel hitch accessory unit is the answer to your problem.B&amp;W also makes the Companion fifth wheel unit to fit the newer Ford/GM/Dodge factory gooseneck hitches.

second_chance · Answer

As Matthew (ChooChooMan74) said, you will get a lot of comments. Many of those advocating against the use of a true gooseneck adapter have extensive backgrounds in engineering and/or the automotive or RV industries. Search the forums and you will find dozens - if not hundreds - of threads on the subject. I would do as suggested and look at either the Andersen Ultimate or the B&W Companion. Both of these will attach to your gooseneck ball, put the forces on the pin box and trailer frame in the correct manner, and not void your frame warranty like a true gooseneck adapter will.

Rob

laknox · Answer

lonewolf64, many mfrs will void the frame warranty if you use a GN adapter, due to the fact that it will place excess stresses on the frame due to the geometry of the hitch system. My recommendation would be to consider the Andersen Ultimate hitch, which will utilize the existing GN ball as an anchor, but keeps the hitch point in the same plane as the FW king pin. This greatly reduces the forces acting to put excess forces on the frame. This is coming from a B&W "fanboy" who will continue to use his B&W Companion as long as it lasts. :-)

FWIW, I recently towed a 26' Lance FW with a GN adapter on it, from Phoenix to Durango CO, and I can tell you it was one rough ride; much worse than towing my 29' Komfort on my Companion.

Lyle

rustyjc · Answer

SoCalDesertRider wrote:B&amp;W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch with B&amp;W Companion fifth wheel hitch accessory unit is the answer to your problem.B&amp;W also makes the Companion fifth wheel unit to fit the newer Ford/GM/Dodge factory gooseneck hitches.Actually, the Companion mentioned above fits in the factory 5th wheel prep pucks. It has nothing to do with the factory gooseneck prep receiver. Rusty

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5th Wheel Hitch or Gooseneck Hitch?

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