I tried to search, but didn't find anything, so apparently this is something that only I don't know. I'd like to know if there is a difference between a 5th wheel and a gooseneck? I was under the impression that they were the same thing, and would use the same hitch. Is this true, and if not, what are the differences, and which is the better of the two? Thanks for your help.
Stan

 

5th wheel is... just like what you would see on a tractor & semi-trailer. Hitch has either jaws or latch which latches the pin on the trailer. A gooseneck has a ball (not a pin) mounted on the truck bed and the latch is on the trailer.

I'm sure there's a ton of opinions as to which is best. I can only say that if the gooseneck system (ball & latch) was better, you would probably see them on commercial tractor/trailers. Actually, initially semi-trailers had the pins mounted on the tractor and the latch on the trailer.

I feel that a 5th wheel is more stable than a gooseneck. Also, a gooseneck requires safety chains where a 5th wheel does not. There seems to be geographical areas and trailer types which frequently use on type or the other.

Jim

 

The gooseneck can be hooked and unhooked more easily on uneven ground and is more commonly used with horse and other livestock trailers and flatbed/utility/equipment type trailers. Fifth wheel hitches are more common on RV type trailers and big rig semi trailers.

 

The gooseneck takes up less room in the truck bed, should you use your truck for other things than a decitated tower. Some have a flip ball that can be turned and the whole bed can be used.

John

 

Also some hitch mfg's offer a goose neck adapter that mounts to your fifth wheel rails so you can use your rails as mounts for either set-up.

 

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate your responses, and I learned something that is useful, at least to me.