Forum Discussion

gkainz's avatar
gkainz
Explorer
Dec 04, 2014

5er, G/N, both, neither, new, old?

Argh, the choices are overwhelming! :) Got a new TV - 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD 4x4 to replace my 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD 4x4. The '07 has a gooseneck ball in the bed, my '97 has my Valley 16k 5th wheel hitch with above bed rails in it.

Logically, since I don't ever intend to get back into horses or construction equipment, I don't believe I will ever have a need for the G/N hitch. I really would like a clean bed on the '07, so below the bed rails for a 5er hitch would be nice.

Don't really want to spend more money for a new hitch setup when mine is still serviceable, so looks like the cheapest solution is pull the g/n ball (or the whole hitch) and move my old Valley rails and hitch over to the new truck.

Any other thoughts?
  • Helmsey's avatar
    Helmsey
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2014
    Yep, if you wanted to go the B&W route you would need to remove what is there and purchase the turnover ball gooseneck hitch and then the B&W companion hitch for the 5th wheel. I'm just guessing here but the B&W stuff alone would run in the $1200 - $1300 range.
  • gkainz's avatar
    gkainz
    Explorer
    Dec 05, 2014
    existing GN is a basic NAPA hitch, from what the original owner told me. So, if I really wanted to go with the B&W (and the idea does intrigue me), I would need to buy and install the B&N GN hitch, then buy the 5er head to go with it... and probably never use the GN turnover ball, so seems like a lot of extra $$s to go that way. Plus end up with a basic GN hitch and my old Valley 5er hitch as stuff that lays around the garage waiting to be sold "some day"
  • Helmsey's avatar
    Helmsey
    Explorer
    Dec 05, 2014
    Two good options listed already. FWIW my truck came with the B&W gooseneck and due to the B&W Companions reputation that is the direction I went. I'm happy with my decision.
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Dec 04, 2014
    Humpty wrote:
    Is the existing GN a B&W Brand? If so, get the Companion 5th wheel Hitch.


    Or if the Gooseneck is a B&W or a Curt then you can just buy the appropriate X5 fifth wheel rail adaptor and use your current fifth wheel hitch...when you are done you remove the fifth wheel hitch, the rail adaptor, then you have a clean bed.

    You can find these X5's for around $300-400 depending on sales and what not

    On edit...you could keep the gooseneck you have, sell your fiver hitch and rails on Craigslist and buy an Andersen Ultimate fifth wheel connection. You should only be out a hundred bucks or so after you sell your hitch.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • Humpty's avatar
    Humpty
    Explorer
    Dec 04, 2014
    Is the existing GN a B&W Brand? If so, get the Companion 5th wheel Hitch.

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