Gooseneck to 5th wheel adapter

laknox wrote:

krazymatt wrote:
So I hate to bring up an old topic but I'm looking at a used 5th Wheel with a Gooseneck adapter. Actually the GS adapter was my plan regardless due to truck bed use and convenience. Warranty isn't an issue but I don't understand how the gooseneck hitch puts more "stress" on the frame when a 5th wheel hitch puts both the truck and trailer frame under extreme stress when trying to maneuver into or out of on a non level surface like a forest dry camp spot when the gooseneck adapter allows more freedom??? Of course the other issue is damaging the camper or bed rail if it pivots too much.

When you need to break a stuck bolt loose, what do you do? You grab a longer wrench or a cheater pipe for more leverage. In normal towing, NMDriver is right, you won't see much difference. It's when you hit a bump or pull over a rise in the ground that you'll get the greater stresses. You've now got about an 18" long "lever" trying to twist the pinbox, which puts much more strain on the underlying frame. Look at =any= gooseneck trailer and notice how the hitch area is beefed up and gusseted. No FW trailer is built as heavy as this. IMO, this isn't an issue with smaller FWs, say 25' and less, but for heavier rigs, it's just not smart. Now. if you get something =in writing= from the manufacturer stating that their frame will not have any problems, that's a different story.

Lyle

I understand what you're saying. For normal towing I don't see a problem unless you chained the 5er to a fixed object and yanked and jerked on it. Yes gs trailers have extreme gussets and heavy steel but then again they're made to tow backhoes and livestock. The ranch adapter I'm looking at is rated at 30,000lbs. If it was such a big deal I don't think Andersen would be in business. The trailer im getting is a 2003 so I could care less about warranties. Thanks