5th wheel or goose neck adapter?

[68PowerWagon]

I have never pulled a "5th wheel". Drove semi for a few years but not pickup 5ver. The goose neck ball just doesn't seem like the best connection yet I see where a lot of guys have bought a goose box for their 5ver TT. I guess I don't understand why the gooseneck connection is even a thing. Is it merely a trade off so guys can have more room in their bed? The regular 5th wheel plate is a much better/stable connection correct?

 

[Ratket]

It’s all personal preference, just like anything.

The biggest trade off I think is Bed space and with a turn over ball, you are not having to move that 5th wheel hitch in and out of the bed,

 

[Walkdog]

I have never pulled a "5th wheel". Drove semi for a few years but not pickup 5ver. The goose neck ball just doesn't seem like the best connection yet I see where a lot of guys have bought a goose box for their 5ver TT. I guess I don't understand why the gooseneck connection is even a thing. Is it merely a trade off so guys can have more room in their bed? The regular 5th wheel plate is a much better/stable connection correct?

All depends on the truck your driving and the exact hitch your planning on getting. I would assume if you drove a semi for awhile you might understand, but apparently not.

Now Anderson Ultimate Hitch is a good, and BM something something, cant remember name, either way they use your gooseneck ball to hook on to and are really good hitchs.

 

[PaulTGarrett]

In my opinion:

1 - gooseneck takes up WAAAY less room than a 5th wheel
2 - gooseneck weighs WAAAAY less than a 5th wheel
3 - gooseneck has more towing capacity than a 5th wheel
4 - gooseneck doesn't need a crane to remove from your bed when you need a fullsize bed
5 - gooseneck is the standard with industrial trailers, agricultural trailers, etc
6 - 5th wheel is typically only used on RV's (at least that I've seen)

I was looking at going with a 5th wheel trailer and then using a gooseneck adapter but decided not to. So I'm going with a bumper pull instead because I don't want to lose the capacity of my truck bed. I already have a gooseneck ball so will keep using it with my work trailers. Seems a pity to me that the RV manufacturers won't give an option for a gooseneck hitch, they have options for every other pretty shiny thing, just not for important things...

 

[yoda]

I think I remember reading installing a goose neck adapter on campers designed for a 5th wheel puts more stress on the camper pin box area, and can void your warranty, there are some that are approved by camper manufacturers, I think the Anderson was one of them.
With a regular goose neck adapter your pulling from a lower point than with a 5th wheel setup. The Anderson raises the pull point.

 

[NoveskeFan]

I believe the Reese Goosebox is supposed to be a good option for switching a 5th wheel to gooseneck.

 

[PaulTGarrett]

But if you look at the Anderson, it's built like an extension of the 5th wheel, just down to the bed for the goose ball. You still have to have enough "swing room" in the truck bed, it's just now down on the deck instead of up at 5th wheel plate height. You may get the advantage of a goose but you're still getting all the down-sides of a 5th wheel...

 

[Mountaineer83]

I believe the Reese Goosebox is supposed to be a good option for switching a 5th wheel to gooseneck.

The Reese Goosebox is a great option. It doesnt void the warranty either and has an airbag built in to reduce the bounce and chucking. I wish I would have went that route instead of the B&W Companion. It's a great hitch, but very heavy.

 

[TMyers]

I just went through this. I have the B&W turnover ball with the B&W Companion Slider 5th Wheel hitch. I have a gooseneck converter for the camper but I can't turn as much as I'd like with my 6'-4" bed. In a tight spot with the Slider, I can go 90 degrees. Yes, it is very heavy but if you must remove it, your bed is clear.

 

[68PowerWagon]

In my opinion:

1 - gooseneck takes up WAAAY less room than a 5th wheel
2 - gooseneck weighs WAAAAY less than a 5th wheel
3 - gooseneck has more towing capacity than a 5th wheel
4 - gooseneck doesn't need a crane to remove from your bed when you need a fullsize bed
5 - gooseneck is the standard with industrial trailers, agricultural trailers, etc
6 - 5th wheel is typically only used on RV's (at least that I've seen)

I was looking at going with a 5th wheel trailer and then using a gooseneck adapter but decided not to. So I'm going with a bumper pull instead because I don't want to lose the capacity of my truck bed. I already have a gooseneck ball so will keep using it with my work trailers. Seems a pity to me that the RV manufacturers won't give an option for a gooseneck hitch, they have options for every other pretty shiny thing, just not for important things...

The more I think about it I am wondering if it has to do with trailer frame flex. 5th wheel is more of a stable platform, keeping the trailer from flexing. Gooseneck trailers like you mentioned in #5 (hot shot trailers, ag, car haulers) have much heavier frames & most times torque tubes. They try to make campers as light as possible to appeal to a wider audience (HD's & the 1/2 tons).
Guys with the goosebox converter do you feel the trailer is just as stable? I would think running this setup would be like pulling a bumper pull without a anti-sway/weight distribution hitch?
Not slamming anybody's set up, I am just trying to get schooled on which is better if any. Maybe just a preference thing.

 

[Valkyrie0002]

From what I've read on 4x4 forums a Gooseneck articulates better so it would be better when you are off the main roads, uneven surfaces.