I bought a '97 F350 with a Unigoose frame mounted hitch and would like to get a used travel trailer but all the ones I look at have the fifth wheel. Horse and deckover trailers have the gooseneck. Why are they not all the same?

 

The answer to your guestion would be a very long post, however, you can buy and adapter to mount on the trailer that would utilize your existing Goose neck ball. I have a culibert adapter that is rated at 30K lbs. It not only mounts to the kingpine on the trailer but it also has four bolts that mount to the trailer plate as well.

This thread covers the differences pretty well https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s....php?&t=416347

 

fatboy*61. This thread will probably get moved to the towing section, but to help answer your question. I think most fifth wheel RVs are like that because it's easier to hitch them up. Typically you can see the hitch through the back window, where a gooseneck you can't see to the bottom of the box to line up. Also 5th wheel hitches do not need safety chains. Goosenecks will allow for more range of travel over rough ground, i.e. pastures, construction sites. without hitting the rails of the bed. 5th wheel Rvs typically stay to smoother travel areas. I've heard of converting 5th wheel RVs to gooseneck, but I think the RVs have to be reinforced somehow because their frames were not designed for the gooseneck hitch.

edit: cangin types faster than I do. LOL

 

Yep. Thread moved

 

Hey I posted this same question not too long ago. I even talked with some local dealers about the differances. Essentially, it will come down to what you prefer. The GN will take less space out of your bed, but it will be a "little" more difficult to hook-up. The FW is easier to connect solo, but it does take up space and is more expensive. Both are comparable in weight ratings. As far as movement, unless you are traveling in a place where you really need a 4X4 to travel across deep holes and ditches with no concerns of the center of gravity of you trailer, then the advatnge of the GN is a mute point. Although, a FW can leagally carry passengers while being pulled in some States, the GN can not. I would recommend staying with one hitch, either one will do.

 

I am pro GN style, is a little harder to hood up, but when I am not pulling the trailer all I have to do is turn the ball over, unroll the bed mat and you'd never know that I had trailer hooked up two minutes ago. Some of the FW hitches are very easy to remove but you still have to store the hitch somewhere.