5th wheel/gooseneck
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,455
Likes: 8
From: Williams Lake B.C.
5th wheel/gooseneck
Im buying a new to me 2008 F-450.
It has a gooseneck ball in the bed, what kinds of adapters are there out there that can make it so I can hook on to me 5th wheel travel trailer?
Are they any good or are there issues?
I cant picture how you can go from a ball to a 5th wheel.
It has a gooseneck ball in the bed, what kinds of adapters are there out there that can make it so I can hook on to me 5th wheel travel trailer?
Are they any good or are there issues?
I cant picture how you can go from a ball to a 5th wheel.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
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From: Frederick, MD
Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters Trailer Coupler | etrailer.com
check the link out. One thing to keep in mind is most 5er's were not designed for the extra stress that this will place on them.
If you have a pretty new 5er then I think I would not go this route.
check the link out. One thing to keep in mind is most 5er's were not designed for the extra stress that this will place on them.
If you have a pretty new 5er then I think I would not go this route.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
As Scott notes, there certainly are plenty of adapters available. I don't know how to tell which fivers will have a problem if an adapter is used. Some seem to do fine, others show stress cracks, particularly if they have a bedroom slide-out. The added stress at pin box can cause cracks in the exterior at the slide opening. I can't recall whether I have seen the same type of damage in fivers without bedroom slides and it does not happen with all fivers.
If warranty coverage is an issue, some owners have also said an adapter voids the manufacturer's warranty, although I have never attempted to verify these statements.
Given what I see in terms of the structure on ultra-lights, I would be disinclined to put a gooseneck on one, but that is just my opinion. I don't want to suggest they should never be used as many folk have them, prefer them, and have no problem. I am sure someone will post who uses an adapter.
Have fun choosing your fiver.
Steve
If warranty coverage is an issue, some owners have also said an adapter voids the manufacturer's warranty, although I have never attempted to verify these statements.
Given what I see in terms of the structure on ultra-lights, I would be disinclined to put a gooseneck on one, but that is just my opinion. I don't want to suggest they should never be used as many folk have them, prefer them, and have no problem. I am sure someone will post who uses an adapter.
Have fun choosing your fiver.
Steve
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
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From: southeast PA
What brand of gooseneck hitch is installed? If it's a B&W you're in luck, as B&W makes a 5th wheel hitch that will fit into the turnoverball hole. If it's another brand you may be out of luck.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,229
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The cost of doing it right, with a proper fifth-wheel hitch mounted on rails, is insignificant compared to the cost of your trailer and your truck. Besides that, you can't put a price on the safety of you and your family.
Chances are you can install fifth-wheel rails that won't interfere with that turnover ball anway, so you'll have the flexibility of towing all three kinds of trailers.
Chances are you can install fifth-wheel rails that won't interfere with that turnover ball anway, so you'll have the flexibility of towing all three kinds of trailers.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
I use the Colbert adapter. It attachs to the 5th wheel king pin and is rock solid.
It really depends on your trailer as Steve said. I have an older 30' fleetwood with out a bedroom slide. The frame and pin box are gusseted and thick. I would be leery of/would not put my adapter on any of the new 5th wheels I have looked at. They appear to be engineered right to the limit, compared to my old (99) fleetwood that looks to be over engineered. My frame is more like a material hauler or stock trailer with an RV built around it.
I have drug my 5er trough all kind of high stress situations. Off road, through mud, sand, snow and creek crossings for a total of probably 50K miles over the last 10 years and the adapter has served me and my family well. I guess I never realized I was doing it "wrong".
It really depends on your trailer as Steve said. I have an older 30' fleetwood with out a bedroom slide. The frame and pin box are gusseted and thick. I would be leery of/would not put my adapter on any of the new 5th wheels I have looked at. They appear to be engineered right to the limit, compared to my old (99) fleetwood that looks to be over engineered. My frame is more like a material hauler or stock trailer with an RV built around it.
I have drug my 5er trough all kind of high stress situations. Off road, through mud, sand, snow and creek crossings for a total of probably 50K miles over the last 10 years and the adapter has served me and my family well. I guess I never realized I was doing it "wrong".
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
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If it's a B&W Turnover Ball gooseneck hitch, you have the B&W Companion Hitch as an option. RV Hitch | B & W Trailer Hitches
It's also possible that you could use something like the Curt adapter system to allow you to install rails when you need them. 5th Wheel Adapter Plates | CURT Manufacturing
I'm sure if you're proficient with fab work and not worried about legalities, you could probably adapt either of the above systems to your existing gooseneck.
It's also possible that you could use something like the Curt adapter system to allow you to install rails when you need them. 5th Wheel Adapter Plates | CURT Manufacturing
I'm sure if you're proficient with fab work and not worried about legalities, you could probably adapt either of the above systems to your existing gooseneck.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Williams Lake B.C.
Not what I had in mind.
Someone told me there was a adapter that hooked to the ball and it was just like a regular 5th wheel hitch, which shouldn't hurt the trailer Im sure it doesn't know how the hitch was installed , either with rails or on a ball?
Someone told me there was a adapter that hooked to the ball and it was just like a regular 5th wheel hitch, which shouldn't hurt the trailer Im sure it doesn't know how the hitch was installed , either with rails or on a ball?
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Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,455
Likes: 8
From: Williams Lake B.C.
If it's a B&W Turnover Ball gooseneck hitch, you have the B&W Companion Hitch as an option. RV Hitch | B & W Trailer Hitches
It's also possible that you could use something like the Curt adapter system to allow you to install rails when you need them. 5th Wheel Adapter Plates | CURT Manufacturing
I'm sure if you're proficient with fab work and not worried about legalities, you could probably adapt either of the above systems to your existing gooseneck.
It's also possible that you could use something like the Curt adapter system to allow you to install rails when you need them. 5th Wheel Adapter Plates | CURT Manufacturing
I'm sure if you're proficient with fab work and not worried about legalities, you could probably adapt either of the above systems to your existing gooseneck.
That looks like the one I was told about.
Next question is how do I know what type of ball hitch I have?
Looks like theres a lever underneath to remove the ball , I havnt tried it yet it got dark on me?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
Well it's not a B&W hitch. It would be a square shank ball.
Edit: A quick search around the 'net and I found this. Looks like it's similar to the Valley Stow-a-ball. http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/12...-installation/
Edit: A quick search around the 'net and I found this. Looks like it's similar to the Valley Stow-a-ball. http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/12...-installation/
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,455
Likes: 8
From: Williams Lake B.C.
Well it's not a B&W hitch. It would be a square shank ball.
Edit: A quick search around the 'net and I found this. Looks like it's similar to the Valley Stow-a-ball. Gooseneck Trailer Hitch Installation - Four Wheeler Magazine
Edit: A quick search around the 'net and I found this. Looks like it's similar to the Valley Stow-a-ball. Gooseneck Trailer Hitch Installation - Four Wheeler Magazine
So I guess there goes the adapter idea?
Another thing I noticed when I was taking the ball out is my receiver hitch square hole is bigger than normal.
Do I need a adapter or something to use it also?
I was taking my trailer to work in the morning but that changers things.