Goose Neck Adapter

[gbsb]

I have a 2010 Fuzion FZ383 Toy hauler 40 f00t 3 axles. I had a Flatbed installed on my F450 Ford. Because it set to tall I went with a gooseneck adapter to pull with. Long story made short after 2 years the Ford gave up the ghost and I have a Ram 3500 now with the puck system for a hitch. I installed a 25000 pound B&W Companion hitch and went to hook up 5th wheel. Removed the adapter and discovered the pin box was bent, I had to replace the pin box on the 5th wheel. Just a little information for any one thinking of using a gooseneck adapter. Think long and hard about it , I haven't found any more damage that it caused yet.

[nayther]

lincster wrote:

nayther wrote:
I just shake my head when guys insist there's no difference when using a gooseneck adapter and argue there's no change in forces. Since I'm an engineer and took Statics and Dynamics in school it's clear as a bell where the forces are different.

Oh no. 2 Engineers on this forum???? Watch out!!!!!

What's you discipline? Mine's mechanical, HVAC in concentration.

[lincster]

nayther wrote:
I just shake my head when guys insist there's no difference when using a gooseneck adapter and argue there's no change in forces. Since I'm an engineer and took Statics and Dynamics in school it's clear as a bell where the forces are different.

Oh no. 2 Engineers on this forum???? Watch out!!!!!

[nayther]

I just shake my head when guys insist there's no difference when using a gooseneck adapter and argue there's no change in forces. Since I'm an engineer and took Statics and Dynamics in school it's clear as a bell where the forces are different.

[lincster]

Yep. Been a known issue for years in the toyhauler world.
I have known 3 buddies that used it and didn’t listen to me.
They ended up with the same results.
Dolla dolla bills yo!!!!!

[dedmiston]

gbsb wrote:
Got that right. Did not mean to bring up a old subject, sorry. Juust trying to be helpful.

Good for you. I cringe when I see people post about them.

[fj12ryder]

We also have the Fuzion 383, and it's a pretty heavy bugger. Ours weighs in at 15,000 lbs. with no water at all, and a couple motorcycles in the back. Glad to hear that you had no serious damage.

[Old-Biscuit]

Place a piece of tape vertically on front cap about 8" long

Place a ruler on pin box vertically and mark the tape 'at rest' (not hitched up)
Do the same after hitching up ---full weight on pin box

Should be 1/4" or less difference between the two marks.
More then that....
Remove 5vr overhang panel (around pin box) and inspect pin box/overhang structure for distortion, cracks, broken welds etc while hitching and unhitching

Hopefully just the pin box took the hit......

[valhalla360]

gbsb wrote:
Got that right. Did not mean to bring up a old subject, sorry. Juust trying to be helpful.

No it's good to share hard won experience.

A big part of the problem is there are many variables, so when someone gets away with it (at least on the surface), it can mislead others.
- Size of trailer.
- Road conditions
- How aggressive the driver is accelerating and braking.
- Hidden damage that the owner is simply unaware of.

[BB_TX]

I agree about the “old” subject. Good to rehash it occasionally so potential new users can make an informed decision.

I like to relate it to using a cheater bar to loosen a tight bolt. The longer the bar, i.e. the lever, the more torque force is applied to the bolt. Or in the case of the adapter, on the pin box frame.

[Y-Guy]

gbsb, no worries on bringing this back up for discussion. It comes up fairly often. You will get some saying they've towed a lot without any problems, but then some will report back about finding damage years later. I'd say most manufacturers void the warranty if a gooseneck is used I think a couple have supported it but I can't recall which ones now.

Good explanation by a member, richheck about the physics of the leverage and the fulcrum.

[gbsb]

Got that right. Did not mean to bring up a old subject, sorry. Juust trying to be helpful.

[BB_TX]

The potential danger of using a gooseneck adapter has been discussed frequently here. Obviously there is an increase of torque forces applied to the pin box when using one. And some trailer manufacturers will void the warranty if you use one. But a lot of folks have used them for years with no "apparent" problem. I say apparent as there could be as yet unseen damages occurring. So just a matter of chance I guess. Just be glad it was the pin box and not the frame.