goose neck trailer hitch question

[leveller]

I just bought a "new to me" goose neck trailer. It is a 14K tandem axle, 18' long. I was looking for a 20 plus footer, but the price was right on this one. My question is, what are the pros and cons of using a ball(goose neck) hitch verses a 5th wheel style hitch? The trailer is set up with a 5th wheel pin, but that is easily changed. I have a B&W turn over ball hitch that I want to install on my truck, but my friend says to go with a fith wheel hitch instead. I like the idea of the ball, just flip it over and I have my empty truck bed back. I am wondering what you that have pulled a goose neck prefer, and why, Thanks, Greg

 

[Diamondpilot]

5th wheel is easier to hook up, that is about it. The B&W is the top of the line. GN allows for more articulation of the trailer which is important on a equipment trailer where you will be possibly going off paved or unlevel surfaces. This keeps it from binding like a 5th wheel will if you get more than 15% off tilt.

Go with the GN.

Chris

 

[leveller]

Thanks, Chris. I am leaning towards the goose neck, mainly because I don't want a 5th wheel hitch taking up space in the box. You bring up some good points. Guess I have to go install my hitch! Greg

 

[DanD78]

I made this for my camper. You can buy the adjustable coupler and tubes. A little welding and bracing you will be good to go.

Dan

 

[ModMech]

I agree with the previous posters, 5th is great for paved roads and not the best choice for Ag use because of the limited freedom of movement between the towing and towed units.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I've pulled both. I like the gooseneck better.

I hate having the 5th wheel rails in the bed even when the hitch is out.
The gooseneck still distributes the weight well.
It's still easy to hook up (i.e. you can see the ball and hitch from the cab while backing up.)
The gooseneck allows for better articulation on rough terrain.

Another bit of advice... If you haven't already, get a wiring plug in the bed of your truck. It beats the heck out of running a long cord to the plug on the bumper.

 

[leveller]

Thanks for all the advice. I just got my trailer home today, borrowed a friend's truck that had a 5th wheel hitch, to pick it up. The trailer had a 5th wheel pin on it, which was one of the reasons I was debating going to a 5th wheel hitch,but when I got there to pick up trailer, the owner gave me a ball hitch coupler! He said it had been on the trailer when he bought it, so I could have it too! As an added bonus, he left the 8000lb. electric winch,complete with a large battery, on the trailer because he did not want to take it off in the cold! The trailer needs some TLC, but all the lights and brakes worked. Some of the wiring needs to be tidied up, plus a few other minor things, but I am very happy for the most part. I was going to build myself a trailer, but for the $1800 I payed for this trailer, I could not have bought the parts to build one. Greg

 

[Diamondpilot]

Sounds like you got a steal.

Chris

 

[GE222]

Does he have a second one to sell?

 

[RLDSL]

What DanD78 did is exactly what I'm about to do for my 5th wheel. and Atwood makes a gooseneck coupler that I have on my 32 ft carhauler that I love so I bought one for my 5er and insted of having to get right under it like a gooseneck ball, you back into it like a 5th wheel and you have about the same side to side margin of error, which is nice with a crew cab with a huge bed tank that you can't see over.

 

[wvpolekat]

Be aware that the pinbox on most 5th wheels is not designed to have a 2 foot lever attached to it amplifying the towing stress.

 

[Reg]

If you don't mind looking like a "NOOB" hooking up a gooseneck can be as easy as a 5th.

For a few bux get a toilet plunger, or borrow the one out of the house.
Put it over the ball, using ONLY your inside mirror back it up to the trailer's coupler tube.
When the plunger is just knocked over you're THERE !
You have to go gently, or the plunger might fall over, use of 4 LO can help you to CREEP back.

My goose is for horses, so if anyone asks about the plunger I have a number of smart Alec responses at the ready.
With a little imagination you can probably come up with some tractor relevant ones (-:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...a crew cab with a huge bed tank that you can't see over.

That changes the equation. I love how a gooseneck pulls, but the major advantage in my one-man-hook-up world is that I can see the ball as I'm backing up to the trailer. My 5th wheel is even better for hitching. I just back up, and if I'm even close, the trailer self centers and I'm done.

 

[Reg]

That changes the equation. I love how a gooseneck pulls, but the major advantage in my one-man-hook-up world is that I can see the ball as I'm backing up to the trailer. My 5th wheel is even better for hitching. I just back up, and if I'm even close, the trailer self centers and I'm done.

OK, so is $2 for a toilet plunger too much to re-balance the equation ?
(-:
I can understand the "toilet" aspect of it, but for a little more money there are also pairs of bright sticks with magnets on the bottom for hooking up tag-alongs.
One on the ball, one on the top of the coupler, tall enough to see over the tailgate.
Inside mirror, stop just when the one on the ball topples.

I think they're $15 to $25, in any case a lot cheaper than converting from goose to 5th.
Now THAT is an equation that is easy to understand (-:

 

[aczlan]

I can understand the "toilet" aspect of it, but for a little more money there are also pairs of bright sticks with magnets on the bottom for hooking up tag-alongs.
One on the ball, one on the top of the coupler, tall enough to see over the tailgate.
Inside mirror, stop just when the one on the ball topples.

Put on in the bed snugged up against the front of the ball. Then it will get "bumped" by the trailer when you are right on top of the ball.

Aaron Z

 

[RLDSL]

Be aware that the pinbox on most 5th wheels is not designed to have a 2 foot lever attached to it amplifying the towing stress.

I already reinforced the living daylights out of the pinbox on mine when I hooked the first gooseneck adapter up to it after all the panic stories I read, although I have yet to actually hear from anyone who actually owns or has owned a 5er with a gooseneck adapter that has had a problem, but there sure are lots of folks who say it's a problem in theory. I would imagine for some of these boys around here who never slow down for anything and go tearing through the woods, that it could be a problem, but a cautious citizen like me it's another story

 

[tlbuser]

which is nice with a crew cab with a huge bed tank that you can't see over.

Backup cameras can be mounted in all kinds of places. My truck has two, one on the pin and one on the receiver hitch.

 

[Mike Costello]

I already reinforced the living daylights out of the pinbox on mine when I hooked the first gooseneck adapter up to it after all the panic stories I read, although I have yet to actually hear from anyone who actually owns or has owned a 5er with a gooseneck adapter that has had a problem, but there sure are lots of folks who say it's a problem in theory. I would imagine for some of these boys around here who never slow down for anything and go tearing through the woods, that it could be a problem, but a cautious citizen like me it's another story

I've used a gooseneck adapter on my 5th wheel for many years now and towed it thousands of miles without a problem. It's a breeze to hook up and my bed stays clear when not in use because of the flipover ball.
And yes, I've heard ( and read about) all the panic stories about gooseneck adapters stressing out the 5th wheel. Despite all the "armchair engineers" dire warnings, I've yet to see a documented case of failure directly caused by a gooseneck adapter. In fact, I would be more worried about axle failure (bent, misaligned, poor shackle welds) as I've seen plenty of those ruin a good vacation. Mike.

 

[Soundguy]

sweet deal!

Ditto what the other poster said about getting a trailer plug for your bed and the bumper. opens up your possibilities.

it was the first add on I did to my 1 ton when i got it.

does your truck currently have 5th wheel rails in it?

soundguy

Thanks for all the advice. I just got my trailer home today, borrowed a friend's truck that had a 5th wheel hitch, to pick it up. The trailer had a 5th wheel pin on it, which was one of the reasons I was debating going to a 5th wheel hitch,but when I got there to pick up trailer, the owner gave me a ball hitch coupler! He said it had been on the trailer when he bought it, so I could have it too! As an added bonus, he left the 8000lb. electric winch,complete with a large battery, on the trailer because he did not want to take it off in the cold! The trailer needs some TLC, but all the lights and brakes worked. Some of the wiring needs to be tidied up, plus a few other minor things, but I am very happy for the most part. I was going to build myself a trailer, but for the $1800 I payed for this trailer, I could not have bought the parts to build one. Greg

 

[Diamondpilot]

sweet deal!

Ditto what the other poster said about getting a trailer plug for your bed and the bumper. opens up your possibilities.

it was the first add on I did to my 1 ton when i got it.

does your truck currently have 5th wheel rails in it?

soundguy

I thought you got a F-450? That is more than a 1 ton.

Chris