Gooseneck Extenders

Tripp2022 wrote:
We have a gooseneck extender for our fifthwheel as we have needed for pulling other gooseneck trailers that we don’t have anymore. We have a 2018 39’ Jayco North Point and pull it with a 2005 3500 Dodge Diesel. The actual Lippert hitch is rusting in the seem and they are replacing but it but will not pay for labor. Anyway, my question is regarding the extender vs a fifthwheel hitch at this point. We have the fold down ball and the extender is not very long but I have read negative comments about them. Camping World installs them all the time and has had no problems. It would be a big expense for us to change at this point but if we were going to do it, now would be the time. My husband feels that no longer than the extender is that it is no more likely to cause a problem than a regular fifth wheel hitch. It tows so smoothly you rarely know it’s back there. Can anyone give me a really good reason not to reinstall the extender when they replace the hitch? I am very disappointed in Lippert. This unit is not very old and has been used very little. I’m not having luck posting a picture.

Unless you have a very light weight FW, as the others have said, DON'T. Almost all mfrs will void the warranty if you do add a GN adapter. Camping World sells them because they know that, if something happens, they run a good chance of getting to "fix" the problems, which warranty won't cover, but the owner will pay for. All about the $$$! The GooseBox is a good alternative, as LCI will warrant its use on most, but not all, their frames. Personally, I went with the B&W Turnover Ball and Companion, and couldn't be happier. Since you already have the folding GN ball (I had one and hated it), you =could= use an Andersen Ultimate FW hitch that pins to the GN ball (check out their site for how this works). You =will= need to put safety chains on your FW, as the Andersen is considered a ball hitch, like a GN, in many states.

Lyle