Fifth Wheel Hitch
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 573
Likes: 38
From: Carthage, Mo
Fifth Wheel Hitch
Moving from a bumper pull. I have the B&W turnover ball, want to use something like the Reese Goosebox, but I understand they are now defunct. Leaning towards a B&W companion but open to other recommendations. Camper is only going to be 9k gross.. Now my question: I want to leave my rubber bed mat in place. Is there any type of adjustment to line up with the gooseneck locking pin? A mat would raise the hitch about 1/4". Experiences?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 189
From: Reno, NV
Reese is still around, the parent company is restructuring though. Gen Y is another gooseneck style hitch that gets great reviews.
You might want to call B&W with your question about your bed mat.
You might want to call B&W with your question about your bed mat.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,100
Likes: 1,635
IIRC B&W recommends NOT using a bet mat/rug under the Companion. Specifically because you have to torque the eccentric bolt to a value, but that 'squishy' material will cause your value to be off, thus potentially leading to a decoupling of the trailer/hitch. Even OEMs like Ford say not to use a bed mat/rug under a hitch for the puck system.
All that said, my dad has been using a Companion for almost two decades now and loves it. And since you've already got the hard part done (Turnover Ball system already installed), you just have to assemble it and set it to the right height.
And when it comes to fifth wheels, I look at it this way: If the kingpin design is good enough for the trucking industry, it's good enough for my camper. And I don't have to do anything to the hitch of my trailer. Now, that said, gooseneck CAN be quite a bit cheaper.
All that said, my dad has been using a Companion for almost two decades now and loves it. And since you've already got the hard part done (Turnover Ball system already installed), you just have to assemble it and set it to the right height.
And when it comes to fifth wheels, I look at it this way: If the kingpin design is good enough for the trucking industry, it's good enough for my camper. And I don't have to do anything to the hitch of my trailer. Now, that said, gooseneck CAN be quite a bit cheaper.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,662
Likes: 984
From: Near Yosemite CA
Ok, lemme get this straight, you already have a GN in your bed + you have a bed mat yes? Having done the 5'vr to GN on 3 RV's I would go with the Gen-Y B&W one, and once on the camper and you are setting it up on the truck, have a sheetrock knife, set the hitch on the GN ball and mark around the connection, then cut out at least an inch around the GN hitch so there is no binding.
I have the pop-up GN ball in my F350 and when connected to a trailer there is ~1-1/2" - 2" between the bottom of the hitch and the bed, so I would think if you cleared an inch around the circumference of the hitch you should not have any issues.
I also had a mat that covered the ball hole when I was using it as a truck to keep crap from falling on top of the ball, I would slide it to the back when using the GN, once you cut the hole, you could use a semi-truck mudflap to cover the hole. I did this after I used the bed mat in another truck and forgot it, bought a $10 mudflap to cover the ball.
He's NOT mounting the hitch to the bed, the GN adapter goes on the RV hitch box.
No way I'd mount a hitch onto a squishy pad. Make a cut out for the hitch if you want to keep the mat.
I have the pop-up GN ball in my F350 and when connected to a trailer there is ~1-1/2" - 2" between the bottom of the hitch and the bed, so I would think if you cleared an inch around the circumference of the hitch you should not have any issues.
I also had a mat that covered the ball hole when I was using it as a truck to keep crap from falling on top of the ball, I would slide it to the back when using the GN, once you cut the hole, you could use a semi-truck mudflap to cover the hole. I did this after I used the bed mat in another truck and forgot it, bought a $10 mudflap to cover the ball.
He's NOT mounting the hitch to the bed, the GN adapter goes on the RV hitch box.
No way I'd mount a hitch onto a squishy pad. Make a cut out for the hitch if you want to keep the mat.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 278
Likes: 183
IIRC B&W recommends NOT using a bet mat/rug under the Companion. Specifically because you have to torque the eccentric bolt to a value, but that 'squishy' material will cause your value to be off, thus potentially leading to a decoupling of the trailer/hitch. Even OEMs like Ford say not to use a bed mat/rug under a hitch for the puck system.
All that said, my dad has been using a Companion for almost two decades now and loves it. And since you've already got the hard part done (Turnover Ball system already installed), you just have to assemble it and set it to the right height.
And when it comes to fifth wheels, I look at it this way: If the kingpin design is good enough for the trucking industry, it's good enough for my camper. And I don't have to do anything to the hitch of my trailer. Now, that said, gooseneck CAN be quite a bit cheaper.
All that said, my dad has been using a Companion for almost two decades now and loves it. And since you've already got the hard part done (Turnover Ball system already installed), you just have to assemble it and set it to the right height.
And when it comes to fifth wheels, I look at it this way: If the kingpin design is good enough for the trucking industry, it's good enough for my camper. And I don't have to do anything to the hitch of my trailer. Now, that said, gooseneck CAN be quite a bit cheaper.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 837
Likes: 152
From: NE OK
Looks like MORyde, Gen-Y and Reese all still make gooseneck adapters that are accepted by Lippert. I love my Goose Box and will never go back to 5th wheeling. I don't miss heavy hitches or lost bed space.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,100
Likes: 1,635
If it doesn't touch you're likely fine. But not all of them do, which is why most of them tell you not to do it.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 348
Likes: 361
From: Ohio
I love my Reese Goosebox. I looked at the GY, but if I recall, it was 1 1/2” shorter from ball to pin box. I use a 3” offset to gain a little clearance to the cab. Works for me since I have a few gooseneck trailers. Which ever brand meets your needs, they all appear to be quality.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 837
Likes: 152
From: NE OK
I love my Reese Goosebox. I looked at the GY, but if I recall, it was 1 1/2” shorter from ball to pin box. I use a 3” offset to gain a little clearance to the cab. Works for me since I have a few gooseneck trailers. Which ever brand meets your needs, they all appear to be quality.
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