Fifth Wheel to Gooseneck and need for off-set adapter

[Euronine]

I plan to purchase a 2007 Arctic Fox 27-7L Fifth Wheel and will pull it with a 2012 F250 short bed truck. I already have a gooseneck ball in the truck bed and intend to install a gooseneck adapter on the trailer. Questions:
1) Generally is this a good or bad idea?
2) Do I need an offset adapter (5"-9") for clearance?
3) Any other advice or information?
Thank's in advance!

[KATOOM]

If there is anything in this world which has NO consistency, nor has any standards other than the basic expected necessities, its the RV/trailer industry. With sooooo many options and configurations out there, in combination with the many years, makes and models of trucks available..... There is zero way anyone can or should say with absolute definitiveness that "whatever" setup works or doesn't work, without including the words "for me" at the end of the sentence.

[Uncle_Grumpy]

I bought the Andersons hitch after hearing all the negatives on goose neck adapters. The truck that I bought first had a ball already installed. I have a short bed and it is offset both at the hitch and the coupler that attaches to the king pin. Never a problem with turning. Another asset is that you can see the ball when hitching. And NO chucking. Price is right too. I recommend that if you install it your self follow the written instructions and not the pictures. I have an Excel that makes there own welded frames so frame problems were not the question but rather utility and ease of hitching. It is also easily removable.

[Supreme_Oppress]

It doesn't matter what Anderson says, it matters what the law man says. If your jurisdiction says "All ball hitches require chains" and it's a ball hitch, it requires chains.

[sdetweil]

Euronine wrote:
Thank's to all that provided feedback! I read every post and honestly appreciated everyone's sincere opinions and information. Ultimately, I chose to purchase the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Mount from Tweety's. It seemed to be the best solution for my needs. FYI...I was also impressed with the service and information provided by Tweety's. I will purchase from them again.

Please come back and tell us what you think after using it.

I am very interested in doing the same. (soon as I can get the rails out of the bed and a GN hitch installed).

Sam

[Dayle1]

tr4petty wrote:
Over the years I've heard lots of folks say, "don't pull a 5th Wheel with a gooseneck ball and adaptor." I've heard folks say that it puts too much stress on the frame of the 5th Wheel. Well, I've pulled a 5th Wheel for several years with a 5th Wheel hitch but I'm contemplating trading trucks and using a ball and gooseneck adapter instead this time. I called the folks at Thor because my camper is a Crossroads Cruiser. They said there was NO problem with the adapters. It would NOT void my warranty. Also, the engineer said there was actually NO additional stress on the frame, provided the gooseneck adapter is properly installed with all torque specs followed. He said the ONLY way that there could be a problem is if the adapter wasn't properly torqued down and therefore allowed some flex, which would put extra stress on the frame. This is current info because we had this conversation only 3 days ago.

Since you have been pulling that Cruiser for "several years" it is already out of warranty, so there is nothing to void. However, anyone that does have a rig still in warranty would be well advised to get things in writing, especially when it comes to a Lippert frame. Any claim that there is no additional stress on the frame is just wrong. The fact that Andersen developed their Ultimate hitch is good proof that a GN extension does increase stress on the fiver frame, since the Ultimate moves the connection point back to as close to the king pin as possible.

[Euronine]

Thank's to all that provided feedback! I read every post and honestly appreciated everyone's sincere opinions and information. Ultimately, I chose to purchase the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel Mount from Tweety's. It seemed to be the best solution for my needs. FYI...I was also impressed with the service and information provided by Tweety's. I will purchase from them again.

[Cummins12V98]

JeffroMax wrote:
I have what is shown in the above picture. The Anderson Ultimate Hitch and I LOVE IT. This takes a lot of stress off your fiver frame and its so simple to use and you can't drop your fifth wheel on your bed. I even have a Reese Slider hitch but went with this setup instead and am VERY glad I did.
Watch this video

I watched the video. Looks like a good set up.

What I don't like is showing a Woman starting to lift the hitch into the bed (never even getting it off the ground) then changing to a Man wearing the same clothes lifting it into the bed. Also showing a B&W hitch being very hard to maneuver in the bed to install and showing the B&W and talking about loose fitting and clunking hitches.

Other than the false advertising I would like to see one in person to check it out.

[tr4petty]

Over the years I've heard lots of folks say, "don't pull a 5th Wheel with a gooseneck ball and adaptor." I've heard folks say that it puts too much stress on the frame of the 5th Wheel. Well, I've pulled a 5th Wheel for several years with a 5th Wheel hitch but I'm contemplating trading trucks and using a ball and gooseneck adapter instead this time. I called the folks at Thor because my camper is a Crossroads Cruiser. They said there was NO problem with the adapters. It would NOT void my warranty. Also, the engineer said there was actually NO additional stress on the frame, provided the gooseneck adapter is properly installed with all torque specs followed. He said the ONLY way that there could be a problem is if the adapter wasn't properly torqued down and therefore allowed some flex, which would put extra stress on the frame. This is current info because we had this conversation only 3 days ago.

[JeffroMax]

I don't need safety chains. There isn't any and why would there be? You have a safety cable that will apply brakes to your fifth wheel if anything happens. Also my Dad picked up my fifth wheel for me and drove over 40 miles without even locking it.. Why would you ever need safety chains?

[sdetweil]

laknox wrote:

sdetweil wrote:
do you use chains, in the event you didn't release the ball latch?

Sam

ALL ball hitches, whether GN or bumper, must use safety chains in every jurisdiction that I've ever heard of.

Lyle

I hear ya.. Andersen says you don't need chains with their hitch. so was just asking.

Sam

[Endricken]

Check out the STAR PERFORMANCE Kingpin Adapter (Gooseneck adapter)for Fifth Wheels. Google it.
It includes a glider motion and has a slight offset.
Have towed my 13K lbs Fiver since 2007 successfully with it.
My Truck came with a rotating ball in the bed.
You'll never drop your Fiver as its either on the ball or not. Chains are no big deal if you're agile at all. It does take longer to hitch or unhitch as you have to wait for slow moving landing legs/jacks to raise or lower your Fiver onto the ball, but it is gentle and wheel chocks are not needed unless on sloped surfaces.
Rarely camp in any campground without at least one other Fiver with a gooseneck adapter.

[laknox]

sdetweil wrote:
do you use chains, in the event you didn't release the ball latch?

Sam

ALL ball hitches, whether GN or bumper, must use safety chains in every jurisdiction that I've ever heard of.

Lyle

[KATOOM]

When I was shopping for a used 5th wheel, any trailer that was equipped with a GN adapter or had a GN adapter on it at one time was deleted from my list. I dont care how many success stories there are, there are too many stories of bent frames and pin box troubles. Most of those troubles are unseen too since the trailer frame is covered.

[mdamerell]

If my Google search is correct your frame was made by Lippert. Lippert endorses and sells the "Reese Goose Box" on their website. I suggest that you verify Lippert made your frame and contact them.

Lippert Website

Good luck.