5th wheel to gooseneck adapter and extender

[GlampinLife]

I'm selling or trading in our class A diesel pusher for a 2017 Jayco Seismic Wave 310W that I just ordered, will be here middle of May.

Having a F-250 short bed that already has the B&W Gooseneck Turnoverball hitch on the truck, I'm looking at 5th wheel to gooseneck adapters, for a short bed.

I've read this article on the styles they rank https://www.etrailer.com/faq-adapting-a-5th-wheel-trailer-to-gooseneck-hitch.aspx

The one I was looking to get is the one they rank last, the Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter w/8" Offset for Short-Bed Trucks https://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-and-Fifth-Wheel-Adapters/Andersen/AM3139.html

I'm curious if anyone has feedback that's used that style, specially since they have it ranked last.

I wouldn't mind this one: http://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-and-Fifth-Wheel-Adapters/Reese/RP94623.html but I'd still need an extended ball to clear my cab: https://www.etrailer.com/Balls/B-and-W/BWGNXA4685.html

The most expensive option is the actual 5th wheel hitch that works with my gooseneck hitch but it's the most expensive and takes up the most room: http://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-and-Fifth-Wheel-Adapters/B-and-W/BWRVK3400.html


Since I'm knew to pulling a 5th wheel, I'm just curious of advice or suggestions.

Thanks in advance!
- Mike

[GlampinLife]

I got it yesterday and put it in the truck today. Tomorrow I'm putting the Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs on the truck, signing all the paperwork on the new toyhauler, turning over the RV, and picking up the new toyhauler Monday night!

[crcr]

MMayleben wrote:

BigBlockTank wrote:
I see these gooseneck hitch conversations and they almost always go to something about safety, it's no good, etc.

If all of these gooseneck hitches/adaptors are so bad, how are they still in business? If they're that bad, I would think they would have numerous lawsuits against them they couldn't afford to stay in business.

I had one on my 39.5, 15,000lb toy hauler for 5 years, and never had an issue. But, I am an aircraft mechanic, and do a walk around before "flight", and do regular maintenance on my equipment. But I never had an issue, pulled great, maneuvered great, I didn't see an issue, but.....

Which style adapter did you use?

If perchance the extra leverage of a gooseneck adapter were to tweak / damage the frame, I don't think one would be able to see the damage via a walk around, as other than the pin box, none of the frame superstructure is visible, being covered by fiberglass. Personally I would never use a gooseneck adapter on a fifth wheel, but everyone of course, is free to do whatever they feel comfortable with.

[GlampinLife]

BigBlockTank wrote:
I see these gooseneck hitch conversations and they almost always go to something about safety, it's no good, etc.

If all of these gooseneck hitches/adaptors are so bad, how are they still in business? If they're that bad, I would think they would have numerous lawsuits against them they couldn't afford to stay in business.

I had one on my 39.5, 15,000lb toy hauler for 5 years, and never had an issue. But, I am an aircraft mechanic, and do a walk around before "flight", and do regular maintenance on my equipment. But I never had an issue, pulled great, maneuvered great, I didn't see an issue, but.....

Which style adapter did you use?

[BigBlockTank]

I see these gooseneck hitch conversations and they almost always go to something about safety, it's no good, etc.

If all of these gooseneck hitches/adaptors are so bad, how are they still in business? If they're that bad, I would think they would have numerous lawsuits against them they couldn't afford to stay in business.

I had one on my 39.5, 15,000lb toy hauler for 5 years, and never had an issue. But, I am an aircraft mechanic, and do a walk around before "flight", and do regular maintenance on my equipment. But I never had an issue, pulled great, maneuvered great, I didn't see an issue, but.....

[GlampinLife]

Jimf1234 wrote:
http://smile.amazon.com/Reese-Goose-Lippert-Wiring-Black/dp/B007Q1F32Q/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=14587...

I'd have to get an extended ball (no pun intended) because of my short bed.

I ended up buying the Aluminum Andersen hitch.

[dedmiston]

Jimf1234 wrote:
http://smile.amazon.com/Reese-Goose-Lippert-Wiring-Black/dp/B007Q1F32Q/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=14587...

For that much $$$ he can just buy a good fifth wheel hitch and not worry about voiding his warranty.

[Jimf1234]

http://smile.amazon.com/Reese-Goose-Lippert-Wiring-Black/dp/B007Q1F32Q/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=14587...

[mapguy]

99% sure Washington State requires safety chains for any ball and socket or hook & latch type trailer coupling system.

[Bird_Freak]

Ga. requires chains for any ball mount hitch also.

[GlampinLife]

It was a review on Amazon of the steel version of this hitch that mentioned Texas

http://amzn.to/1MyxwDz

I've not gone state by state but what I've read posted on this forum, it's most all states that require a chain for ball hitch trailers (gooseneck and bumper pull). Rather it's really needed or not, I'll just do chains to be safe if I do this Andersen Aluminum hitch.

[Second_Chance]

minnow wrote:
I read that the state that required chains on the Andersen hitch was Indiana. Hadn't herard about Texas. Internet lore, no one really know what is true, fiction or puffery.

Indiana

Indiana was the state I read about, as well. I think the TX state trooper in the above account had it confused...

Rob

[minnow]

I read that the state that required chains on the Andersen hitch was Indiana. Hadn't herard about Texas. Internet lore, no one really know what is true, fiction or puffery.

Indiana

[Second_Chance]

crcr wrote:

Second Chance wrote:

crcr wrote:
Which state requires the safety chains?

I don't recall - I think it's somewhere in the midwest. I'm running with safety chains, anyway. They take about 20 seconds to hood up.

Rob

Someone posted earlier that Texas requires them. I thought there were several states that require them, but not exactly sure. If I get an Andersen hitch, which I am leaning toward, I think I'll just go ahead and get the safety chains. It might also have the potential to reduce ones liability in an accident.

That's what I did. Technically, the Andersen is not a gooseneck - but I don't want to get into an argument with a state trooper over it. The state that does require it is because of the wording of the law: it's not that it's mistaken for a gooseneck, it's that the language of the law specifically states that a "ball and socket" are used. They were probably trying to get at a regular trailer hitch and true goosenecks and didn't foresee the Andersen design when the law was written.

Rob

[crcr]

Second Chance wrote:

crcr wrote:
Which state requires the safety chains?

I don't recall - I think it's somewhere in the midwest. I'm running with safety chains, anyway. They take about 20 seconds to hood up.

Rob

Someone posted earlier that Texas requires them. I thought there were several states that require them, but not exactly sure. If I get an Andersen hitch, which I am leaning toward, I think I'll just go ahead and get the safety chains. It might also have the potential to reduce ones liability in an accident.