Towing Fifth Wheel

[fish0821]

What are the advantages and disadvantages of towing with fifth wheel vs gooseneck.

Is the ride is better with fifth wheel??
I know room in the truck bed but what else??

Thanks

[fish0821]

Thanks for the comments

[e-light]

I've pulled with both and much prefer the feel of the gooseneck trailers. As mentioned, dont use the adapters if you want to use your gooseneck hitch. I can HIGHLY recommend the Andersen. And as for safety chains there are kits for that, I use them...can't hurt!

[laknox]

rhagfo wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:
Nothing wrong with ball/coupler just dont use a GN adapter. Better choice is to use something like the Andersen Ultimate 5er connection which raises the ball to the same level as a conventional 5er hitch.

Keep in mind 37 states require safety chains on a ball coupler. 🙂

True for AZ. Also, if you're of a mind to double-tow, that would be verboten. Doubles here in AZ =must= be FW as primary hitch and ball as secondary hitch. Not that I didn't see a slurry-seal truck towing a supply trailer with his slurry heater hitched right behind it just yesterday.

Lyle

[rhagfo]

N-Trouble wrote:
Nothing wrong with ball/coupler just dont use a GN adapter. Better choice is to use something like the Andersen Ultimate 5er connection which raises the ball to the same level as a conventional 5er hitch.

Keep in mind 37 states require safety chains on a ball coupler. 🙂

[valhalla360]

lawnspecialties wrote:
Gooseneck allows more pivoting when on uneven surfaces. That's why most horse trailers and race haulers are gooseneck.

The gooseneck isn't the big difference with horse trailers. it's the overhang being higher relative to the truck bed. Most 5th wheel trailers will hit the truck bed rails before the hitch pivoting reaches it's limit.

[Sport45]

Or the Pullrite adapter that does the same thing.

If you're looking at purpose built 5th wheel vs gooseneck trailers there's really no difference in how they pull. Only how they hitch/unhitch.

[N-Trouble]

Nothing wrong with ball/coupler just dont use a GN adapter. Better choice is to use something like the Andersen Ultimate 5er connection which raises the ball to the same level as a conventional 5er hitch.

[NC_Hauler]

If one purchases a used 5er that has no warranty left, tow with whatever you want,it's yours..IF purchasing a NEW 5er/TH, I would recommend one just make a phone call to the manufacturer and ask THEM what their take is on towing with a GN, seeing as how they'll be the one that will have to handle warranty repairs IN CASE something were to happen, i.e. cracked frame, delamination.....but that won't happen...take a chance

[donn0128]

phillyg wrote:
I do recall reading somewhere that some frame/RV mfgrs. do not allow using a gooseneck. If you want to use one, just get the necessary approval from the mfgrs.

And be prepared to spend some money to strengthen the frame to handle the added stresses.

[phillyg]

I do recall reading somewhere that some frame/RV mfgrs. do not allow using a gooseneck. If you want to use one, just get the necessary approval from the mfgrs.

[lawnspecialties]

Gooseneck allows more pivoting when on uneven surfaces. That's why most horse trailers and race haulers are gooseneck.

[IdaD]

I've never been around a gooseneck that clanks and clunks like some fifth wheel hitches, so they're very smooth. They also give you more bed space because you don't have a hitch in the bed. Some worry about gooseneck adapters on fifth wheels, though, and in theory I don't disagree. My dad has had his smallish Nash fifth wheel on a gooseneck adapter for more than 20 years with no issues, however.

I use a rail mount Andersen hitch which eliminates the leverage downside of the gooseneck adapter, and it seems like a good compromise. I don't think it's any harder to hitch than a fifth wheel hitch and it's very solid and totally smooth. I'm happy with it.

[Second_Chance]

donn0128 wrote:
There is no advantage as far as I cam see. But one BIG disadvantage. That is the possability of voiding yoir frame warrenty.

X2 - but make that "probability" for voiding your frame warranty if you install a gooseneck adapter on a fifth wheel RV. Many people do it and get by with it, but the stresses on the pin box and frame are quite different than with a standard fifth wheel hitch.

Rob

[VoodooMedicineM]

It's easier to hook up a 5th.