Gooseneck Chains?
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,681
Likes: 12,803
From: Wyoming
Gooseneck Chains?
While I was at the RV storage yard I was looking around and spotted a fifth wheel trailer with a gooseneck instead. It was interesting so I took a closer look and realized there were no safety chains. Is that normal? It did have a breakaway cable for the brakes.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
If it is a gooseneck then it is required to have chains. If you see the person you could ask about it.
Sounds like he did a conversion. The bigger question is does he know that he will be susceptible to frame cracking now?
Sounds like he did a conversion. The bigger question is does he know that he will be susceptible to frame cracking now?
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 2
From: Chico,CA.
To my knowledge, all goosenecks are required by law to have chains. Frankly I'm surprised that 5'ers are not. I'm not arguing either side of this, just surprised it's not a requirement in our super-litigious society.
As to the gooseneck adapter question... Oh boy, here we go again.
This always turns into a melee, but as someone who has spent the last 30(+) years fabricating hitches, trailers and farm implements, I would NOT just blindly throw a converter on a 5th wheel travel trailer. The forces and load paths are considerably different, and the trailer frame has to be designed accordingly. Also, I don't see the Reese GooseBox as any kind of solution. Yes, it eliminates the risk of snapping the kingpin, but does nothing for the trailer frame. Both the lateral and longitudinal forces applied to the upper trailer frame are greater with a gooseneck. Look up under the front of a GN livestock trailer (or low-bed) and you'll see a lot of extended gusseting and triangulation that a 5'er trailer doesn't have.
Rant over, convert at your own risk.
As to the gooseneck adapter question... Oh boy, here we go again.
This always turns into a melee, but as someone who has spent the last 30(+) years fabricating hitches, trailers and farm implements, I would NOT just blindly throw a converter on a 5th wheel travel trailer. The forces and load paths are considerably different, and the trailer frame has to be designed accordingly. Also, I don't see the Reese GooseBox as any kind of solution. Yes, it eliminates the risk of snapping the kingpin, but does nothing for the trailer frame. Both the lateral and longitudinal forces applied to the upper trailer frame are greater with a gooseneck. Look up under the front of a GN livestock trailer (or low-bed) and you'll see a lot of extended gusseting and triangulation that a 5'er trailer doesn't have.
Rant over, convert at your own risk.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,624
Likes: 4,709
From: Itinerant
Here is a little reading.
goin' RV Boondocking: The Beginning... The Failure of the Fifth Wheel Pin Box
goin' RV Boondocking: The Beginning... The Failure of the Fifth Wheel Pin Box
Trending Topics
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
...and then Anderson developed the conversion ball type hitch that is now warranty covered by most RV manufacturers. See here:
Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection | 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection | 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,681
Likes: 12,803
From: Wyoming
Hey, at least I wasn't asking about what type of oil to use. 
Seriously, I'm new to this, so expect that I'll ask a good number of newbie-type questions.
I think I saw a trailer that is configured to use one of those Anderson Ultimate hitches today at the storage yard.
Seriously, I'm new to this, so expect that I'll ask a good number of newbie-type questions.
I think I saw a trailer that is configured to use one of those Anderson Ultimate hitches today at the storage yard.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 2
From: Chico,CA.
...and then Anderson developed the conversion ball type hitch that is now warranty covered by most RV manufacturers. See here:
Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection | 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection | 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
In all fairness, it is NOT a gooseneck - we don't do ourselves any favors in calling it that (I do it too). Actually it is a ball mount conversion. Or, as Anderson says: Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection.
When we throw "GOOSENECK" into the mix it becomes an issue. Most RV'ers think of the standard horse trailer gooseneck and it certainly is NOT that.
When we throw "GOOSENECK" into the mix it becomes an issue. Most RV'ers think of the standard horse trailer gooseneck and it certainly is NOT that.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 2
From: Chico,CA.
BP, I dig ya'. I'm familiar with the Anderson. What I was saying was I'd very much like to have a traditional gooseneck on my trailer, since I already have a B&W Turnover in the truck, but I'm afraid of the structural concerns. I'd love to simply pluck the ball and have a clean bed. Looking back I can see how my last post could be read a couple different ways. The Anderson is appealing from a weight standpoint (footprint is basically the same as what I have now) because that Companion is heavy. Lugging it out of the shed and around the house is the one thing I DON'T look forward to when prepping for a trip. From a functional standpoint I'd say the Anderson is no different than a fully articulated 5'er.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
another choice... is the Andersen.... (WHAT ??).....
I have a TT... thinking about a 5th Wheel toy hauler... 36 foot,
decided on the B/W Companion..16k.. then read here of the Andersen...
Now I do not know what to do..!!
Question::: does the shoe of a standard 5th wheel hitch CARRY!! much weight??.. as if the PIN hold most of the weight in the Claws???? UP/Down weight.. not just pull/brake weight.
and the adapter bending parts on pin box !!
I am not even close on Carry weight/pin weight..... 11k trailer.. and label states 2,200.. my truck will do 3,600 carry over rear axle.
I have a TT... thinking about a 5th Wheel toy hauler... 36 foot,
decided on the B/W Companion..16k.. then read here of the Andersen...
Now I do not know what to do..!!
Question::: does the shoe of a standard 5th wheel hitch CARRY!! much weight??.. as if the PIN hold most of the weight in the Claws???? UP/Down weight.. not just pull/brake weight.
and the adapter bending parts on pin box !!
I am not even close on Carry weight/pin weight..... 11k trailer.. and label states 2,200.. my truck will do 3,600 carry over rear axle.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
BP, I dig ya'. I'm familiar with the Anderson. What I was saying was I'd very much like to have a traditional gooseneck on my trailer, since I already have a B&W Turnover in the truck, but I'm afraid of the structural concerns. I'd love to simply pluck the ball and have a clean bed. Looking back I can see how my last post could be read a couple different ways. The Anderson is appealing from a weight standpoint (footprint is basically the same as what I have now) because that Companion is heavy. Lugging it out of the shed and around the house is the one thing I DON'T look forward to when prepping for a trip. From a functional standpoint I'd say the Anderson is no different than a fully articulated 5'er.