Enough already! What is the big difference between a fifth wheel and a goose neck?

 

The difference between a gooseneck hitch and a fifth wheel hitch is that the gooseneck hitch is held in place with a ball and the fifth wheel hitch uses a wheel-shaped plate.

 

Are there advantages one over the other, our just two different designs to accomplish the same results?

 

5th wheels are typically used on campers and also all semis use a 5th wheel. A gooseneck hitch is a 2 5/16" ball mounted in the bed of the truck, most flat bed and cattle trailers being pulled my pickups are goosenecks.

The advantage of a 5th wheel is that they are easier to hook up to being that you can see both the king pin (the part on the trailer) and the actual 5th wheel (mounted in the bed of the truck), also when you back up to a 5th wheel you dont have to be lined up perfectly because the 5th wheel has a V on hitch that will help align it .

The disadvantage to a 5th wheel for a pickup is that they don't have as high of weight rating as the gooseneck hitches do. I believe this is because the 5th wheel hitch is not ridgidly mounted to the frame, it is connected by brackets. Where as a gooseneck hitch is bolted directly to the frame. Typical 5th wheel hitches have a weight rating of 16-18000 lbs and 2500-4000lbs pin weight, you can get higher rated ones but most are in this range. Most gooseneck hitches are rated for 30,000 lbs and 6000-7000 lbs of hitch weight.

 

Colorado Osprey, I have seen the B&W before and that is one of the options that I am thinking of if we do go with 5th wheel.

Now this is directed to APT, I came here to ask if anyone had any other options as to a gooseneck with 5th wheel adapter or 5th wheel hitch that doesn't use the bed mounted rails. I DID NOT ask what you opinion was as to if I was going to be over weight. You just assume that because I have a 1/2 ton truck and that I am looking at getting a 5th wheel camper that I am going to be over weight, will I be? Maybe, it all depends on the what the actual pin weight of the camper is, being that I already know what my truck weighs (yes on a certified scale).

 

If you can't accept people's opinions, maybe you shouldn't post at all?

I happen to agree with APT's premises 100%. If you don't like the overload potential pointed out, tough. We are all free to express our opinions here without being flamed.

 

If I saw evidence that either a 5th or a goose had been used on a half ton I would turn around and look for another truck, even if it was used safely and underweight. I would personally wait till you get a truck that can handle a larger camper then a half ton can. Just my two cents.

 

I am fine with other peoples opinions, if they are on topic. I was just asking about hitches, not about if I was going to be over weight or not.

 

There is always the option if the $1300 B&W Companion is too much money that you can get a Ranch Hand Adapter (GN ball to 5th wheel king pin) and they work well too without installing bed mount rails.

I can't remember who makes them but somebody is making a 5th wheel rail style hitch with the rails under the bead instead of in the bed. 4 holes are made in the bed for the 5'er to drop down through.

 

Also in addition to what was already stated baout weight capacities, there is more articulation possible in a GN over a 5'er. The 5'er will give feedback from trailer wind sway and let you know you need to slow down in high wind as it rocks the tow vehicle. The GN won't warn you before it takes you off the road.

The benifit of the greater articulation in the GN is seen more in an agricultural setting where you might be crossing a Bar Ditch..somewhere you don't want to go in a 5'er. Say a 45' Dual tandem coming out of a hay field.. or maybe having to drive your horse trailer out in pasture to rescue a horse to take it to the vet.

As far as capacities the greater capacity 5'ers I've seen have a 26k rating and most GN are 30k. I'd say that 4k really isn't the determining factor. The 5'ers hitches get more expensive for the greater weight capacity too...starting at 12k for about $200 and 26k's on up and over $3000. B&W GN hitches installed are about $500.

 

Much appreciated. Great info comparing the two.

I agree with your opinion. While I appreciate the safety crowd, I do think they are over the top with safety and feel entitled to hijack any thread anytime because they speak in the name of safety. I'm sorry, it's just too much. While I appreciate learning safety, I don't enjoy the attempt to force everyone into submission. We all have to accept that in the end the truck owner will decide for himself.

 

The site is only as good the info it contains.
The threads are only as good as the posts.

The thread subject 'Gooseneck or 5th wheel...' and F-150 has less value and does a disservice to future readers if it does not contain at least one disclaimer post regarding weight limits.
The site is better, and this thread is better with the additional info.

You may know all the specs involved in making a decision but, you can't assume all future readers will. You shouldn't take the posts personaly.

The only way I know of to have control of content is to use PM.

 

I absolutely agree with you that this thread, and site, is made better the more REAL info that it contains. The problem is when you get guys that post the same crap in every thread, without any REAL experience to back it up.

For example, I was told by this same member that I couldn't possibly be towing a gooseneck horse trailer without going far OVER my F150s ratings. I have since weighed the trailer, and found that I was safely UNDER its ratings, even though it was stated numerous times in this forum that it just wasn't possible.

I have zero issues with someone posting their REAL experiences here on this forum. I take issue with members that post in EVERY thread in a section, even though it's pretty obvious to me that they are just repeating what they read on some other site, or are stating their OPINION as FACT. That is how misinformation is spread.

 

How do you know? How many emergency maneuvers have you done when your truck is overloaded?

"warm fuzzy so and so has done it for years so it must be safe."

You should research my 17? posts regarding towing over the trucks ratings. Not once did i say power was the limiting factor. In fact, I often say people have been moving much more weight with much less power for decades. If you are going to debate my points, make sure they are my points! I don't tell people not to overload their truck. I never tell people they will die or get sued if they do. I just make sure they know they are aware they are over the OEM specs/ratings and often say that I would not make a long term commitment to buy and pull an RV that puts my truck over any rating.

Reread my first post That how I always start and then someone like hwm3 attacks me so I feel obligated to provide details. I said, "half ton trucks are not rated to tow just about any recent 5th wheel RV." Nothing more. If someone wants to tow over his ratings, go for it! As you said, lots of people have been doing it for years. They should just know that they are overweight and plan/drive accordingly.

You should reread your first post. My interpretation of it was that the F350 deal did not work out and you are considering towing a 5th wheel RV (camper) with your current truck when you said "they don't make a kit for the 04+ F150" and "I have the flareside bed." I will continue to approach the subject like I did here. Just state the facts and expand when questioned or pushed. you can chose to ignore my comments or attack, like others do and I'll respond in kind.

Yep, it always depends on actual pin weight which few people know until after the purchase and hit a scale. This is more difficult to test for 5th wheel vs. bumper pull because of the hitch installation required.

You're one step ahead knowing how much your truck weighs with your unique equipment and accessories. In your calculation estimates, do not forget to include the 200-ish pounds of weight for the 5th wheel receiver. Also, 5th wheel RVs have a lot more storage than bumper pull RVs, but it is in front of the trailer wheels which adds weight to the "dry weight rating".



HWM3, Gooseneck horse trailers are different than and 5fth wheel RVs. There are but a few gooseneck designed RVs. No one knows what my experience is because I never give all of it. Only when it adds value to the discussion.

 

sigh......

Once again

I'm someone with experience...

You are an internet e-warrior.

I automatically trump you.