Yet another gooseneck/fifth wheel adapter thread

[Tony_Berry]

There have been plenty of threads and discussions already, but I want to approach from a different angle as I didn't find my answer in the current threads...

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29411839/
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29443693/
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29450264/
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29507411/
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29597336/
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29693859/

And on and on.

I am debating an adapter such as this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/182895667420

My truck is a International 4400 Class 6 low profile. It has a tradesman bed and a gooseneck mount.



It has rear air suspension, but I wanted the extra cushioning of an air ride hitch/adapter. This will minimize the jolts to the trailer on the y-axis, but not necessarily the stress on the x-axis.

I would have to do some moderate fabrication to install a more standard fifth wheel... custom brackets, custom rails, etc. I have the tools and experience to do that, but it would be some work and I don't intend to pull a fifth wheel on a regular basis. In fact, I haven't really needed to pull one to date. I want the ability to help someone move a camper in a pinch... flood, fire, to/from the shop, in the event they don't have a means to do so. More of a option than something I'd use daily, weekly or even monthly.

Does anyone have verified stories of failures and how they failed? Poor quality adapter? Improper installation? Accident of tow vehicle? What factors (besides x-axis stress) may have contributed to the failure?

[Tony_Berry]

mkirsch wrote:
One thing you need to understand here is that this forum comprises only a small percentage of all RVers out there, and that absence of anecdotal evidence is not evidence of anecdotal absence.

:lol: Unfortunately, I completely understand your point.

If you understand basic physics and how cheaply RVs are manufactured, you would have concerns about the extra leverage one of those adapters puts on what amounts to a barely-adequate frame.

I have an understanding of physics and I have seen how cheaply RV's can be built.

There are alternatives such as the Reese Goosebox, which is designed to adapt a gooseneck to a 5th wheel, and approved by Lippert, who manufactures a good portion of the frames for these trailers

That would be a consideration if I had a fifth wheel and I wanted to pull it on a somewhat regular basis. This adaption request is really just a last resort option for infrequent use. Something I can throw in the toolbox and can help on a moments notice if requested.

the Andersen Ultimate series of 5th wheel hitches, which go at it from a different angle.

I looked into that. I'm not sure it would work for me. My ball is below the flat surface of the bed. The AU appears to sit on the flat surface and doesn't have provisions for the ball mount to extend far below the level of the flat surface.

I think the consensus is "go for it"... with caution and awareness. Got it.

[sayoung]

Is the ball a permeate mount or a turnover and is the bed flat or is ball in a recess trough ?
I have used a gooseneck adapter with no problems but I now use the Andersen Ultimate. They do have an extension for the AUH if your ball is in the recess.
If you have a turnover type ball Curt makes the X-Rail for both Curt & BW style balls but I think its only a 20000 lb rating.

[NMDriver2]

The force needed to start the 5er moving or to stop it is the same regardless of the hitch. Having a gooseneck adapter does not magically increase the force required to move, stop, or turn the 5er. The force applied at the pin does not change.

I will not get into an argument about this but consider that your 5er is like a flag on a pole. The flag does not have more or less stress based on how long the pole it. The pole may have more or less stress based on length but the flag (pin of the 5er) does not.

[IdaD]

My dad has pulled his Nash around for almost 20 years with a gooseneck adapter and hasn't had any trouble at all. I suspect most folks have no trouble with them. But there have been issues with them causing problems in some cases. Of course if you look hard enough you can find examples of failures with most standard fifth wheel hitches too.

[Tony_Berry]

fj12ryder wrote:
I don't think that occasional usage to move a 5th wheel would incur damage to the trailer. If a need-to-move arose I think you'd be fine. Regular usage...possibly another story.

That was my thought as well. Plus I am a very conservative driver... that 4400 would yank the king pin out of a trailer if I gunned it. Low gearing and massive torque. It has air brakes, so I could probably rip it out the other way slamming my brakes. Those are going to be the sensitive actions... acceleration and braking. Done carefully, I should be okay.

That is a cool truck, where did you come by it, if I might ask.

Equipment auction out of state. It was being auctioned as having 4x4, which was an option on the 4400, so it seemed valid. I bought it online and when I drove to pick it up, I noticed it wasn't 4x4. I ended up keeping it anyway as I got it for a decent price and other than 4x4, it was exactly what I wanted. It has an Eaton rear locker which does surprisingly well in slick stuff (mostly mud around around), so it has some ability to avoid getting stuck. My F-550 would get stuck in wet grass. It was 2WD and terrible in slick stuff.

[Tony_Berry]

gbopp wrote:
I can't help you with your question. But, that is a cool truck.

Thanks.

My previous truck was an F-550 with an air ride fifth wheel pulling a 40' Alfa Toyhauler. Gave up the toyhauler and F-550 since we were done full timing and spend most of our time at home now. The 4400 pulls my Bobcat and stuff around. Registered as a private farm truck.

Clicky for the Adapter

Thanks. Most forum software converts the links for me. I went back and "linked" them all.

[mkirsch]

One thing you need to understand here is that this forum comprises only a small percentage of all RVers out there, and that absence of anecdotal evidence is not evidence of anecdotal absence.

You are perfectly free to go ahead and try it for yourself and see if it works for you. If you twist the frame on your fifth wheel, you have your answer.

If you understand basic physics and how cheaply RVs are manufactured, you would have concerns about the extra leverage one of those adapters puts on what amounts to a barely-adequate frame.

You can find plenty of anecdotal evidence of people successfully using generic gooseneck adapters successfully, which leads me to conclude that the possibility of damage is real, but minor. However it is not a risk I would be willing to take with a $50,000 5th wheel trailer, knowing that warranty would not cover the damage, should things not work out perfectly.

There are alternatives such as the Reese Goosebox, which is designed to adapt a gooseneck to a 5th wheel, and approved by Lippert, who manufactures a good portion of the frames for these trailers, or the Andersen Ultimate series of 5th wheel hitches, which go at it from a different angle. Lippert does not recommend the use of a conventional gooseneck adapter with their frames.

[fj12ryder]

I don't think that occasional usage to move a 5th wheel would incur damage to the trailer. If a need-to-move arose I think you'd be fine.

Regular usage...possibly another story.

That is a cool truck, where did you come by it, if I might ask.

[gbopp]

I can't help you with your question. But, that is a cool truck.

Clicky for the Adapter