Cptnvideo wrote:
Question: When going over uneven railroad tracks or something similar, can the gooseneck style hitch allow the trailer to tilt enough sideways to damage the pickup bed rails?
Sure.
The issue with a gooseneck lowers the hitch pivot point. That creates a larger lever arm on the hitch for acceleration and braking forces where the hitch connects to the trailer frame.
If it was designed to accommodate those forces, it can be fine.
- If you look as typical gooseneck trailers, they have big heavily built beams to take those forces.
- If you pull the skin off your average 5th wheel, the frame is far less robust.
Also, keep in mind, if you drive mostly on smooth roads with very gentle acceleration and deceleration, that will reduce the loads on the frame substantially, so if someone says they got away with a gooseneck for years, doesn't mean you won't hit a pothole during a panic braking and crack your trailer frame day one.
Check with the manufacturer and if they say they will warranty damage related to a gooseneck, you are probably fine. If not, you roll the dice and take your chances.
PS: There are 5th wheel hitches that attach to a gooseneck ball (rather than rails) thus raising the pivot point such that it's similar to a standard 5th wheel hitch. Those should be fine.
