Fifth Wheel Hitch to Gooseneck Conversion

Badbart56 · 07-09-2023, 01:57 PM

I remember eons ago that switching from a fifth wheel hitch to a gooseneck hitch was frowned upon. I don't really remember what the issues were but frankly I'm tired of fighting with that heavy fifth wheel hitch every time I need to remove it to put something large in the bed of my F-350.

I have the rails that will work with the Reese gooseneck hitches and it's a lot lighter than that fifth wheel hitch. Has anyone else done this? Pros and cons? I'm ready to ditch the hitch! Thanks in advance.

**sourdough** · 07-09-2023, 02:15 PM

Your decision and why are exactly why I did not want a full size 5th wheel hitch. I use the Andersen. You may want something more robust for your size trailer, or, are you thinking of replacing the pin box?

Badbart56 · 07-09-2023, 03:02 PM

I don't know what options are available but I'm sure they've improved over the years. I have not researched this currently, wanting to see what others have done and if there were any adverse results.

What I have now is a Reese 20K lb hitch with a Draw-Tite articulating fifth wheel plate. In our travels I seldom see a gooseneck on a fifth wheel trailer though. I know some manufacturers used to void the warranty if you used a gooseneck. Wondering if that's changed.

rhagfo · 07-09-2023, 03:34 PM

I am seriously thinking of switching to a Reese Goosebox, with the puck system on our 2016 Ram 3500 the ball Lilly weighs 8#.

**sourdough** · 07-09-2023, 03:42 PM

Some modify the 5th wheel for a straight gooseneck attachment at the pin box. IMO I wouldn't do that because it exerts additional stresses on the 5th wheel frame. My neighbor where I winter has one and I can see how it would stress the trailer. Asked him why it was there and that's the way he bought it to put out for the winter to fish.

You can change the pin box to a modern style gooseneck. The Reese Goose Box is gaining popularity and it's the only kingpin adapter that doesn't void the Lippert frame warranty. If warranty isn't a concern there is also they Gen Y kingpin gooseneck adapter. It will void the Lippert warranty unless they've changed their policy recently which I've not seen.

Then there are the adapters that use the goose ball/hole to attach to the truck but use a regular 5th wheel hitch on top. Demco Recon and B&W Companion come to mind. They are covered by warranties as the Lippert stipulations don't address using the ball or ball attachment, only the kingpin and adapters. The Andersen is in this group but uses an adapter on the kingpin which will now void a Lippert 5th wheel frame warranty. Went into effect March 15, 2021 IIRC. I love my Andersen btw. Was just out messing with it this afternoon - won't be doing that with a 200+ lb. 5th wheel hitch.

Badbart56 · 07-09-2023, 04:45 PM

Danny, what model is your Anderson? And what is the weight rating? My FZ 405 tops out around 18-18.5K lbs loaded. Looking at options. I've had two hernia surgeries in the past and have no desire to repeat. Getting too old for this.

gkainz · 07-09-2023, 05:32 PM

I've been towing for 10 years with the Andersen Ultimate Aluminum Gooseneck ball attached and love everything about it. Granted, my 5er is small and light, but my son-in-law has been towing a 43' Momentum Toy Hauler with his Andersen Ultimate for 3 years and also loves it.

https://andersenhitches.com/product/...te-connection/

**sourdough** · 07-09-2023, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badbart56

Danny, what model is your Anderson? And what is the weight rating? My FZ 405 tops out around 18-18.5K lbs loaded. Looking at options. I've had two hernia surgeries in the past and have no desire to repeat. Getting too old for this.

Mine is the model 3220 IIRC, 4500lb. pin/24k trailer weight. My trailer gvwr is somewhere north of 14k (not here to check). I run a little under 3k pin weight on it. Thousands of miles and 3 1/2 years with it and I have zero complaints....and LOVE the weight and portability - solid as a rock.

Like you I've had all the surgeries, broken and blown out things I need. Trying to manhandle a 250 lb. hitch "because" just doesn't work in my wheelhouse.

Chinomax · 07-09-2023, 08:40 PM

I just leave my hitch attached and hanging from the trailer. No muss no fuss. Takes about 10 minutes to put it back in. Why make it hard on yourself?

Matty Rich · 07-09-2023, 11:26 PM

Andersen Hitch is so simple and easy to setup. I can install or remove the hitch from the bed in less than 60 seconds.
Also super easy to hook up. The coupler is a solid plastic and slides onto the ball very easy, and no grease needed.
My setup is pretty awesome. I can drop my trailer on the the hitch without leaving the truck.
Open tail gate from button inside the truck, raise the landing gear via In Command App, back up, drop landing gear via app.
Once on the hitch. I get out the truck, I push the latch, secure the chains and 7pin. Close gate and roll. Hook up/ disconnect takes me maybe 2 mins at best.

Badbart56 · 07-10-2023, 03:23 AM

Thanks for the input, I'll look at getting an Anderson.

tallen · 07-10-2023, 04:25 AM

Badbart56, I sent you a private message about the Andersen Ultimate Hitch.

TXiceman · 07-16-2023, 07:45 AM

Your trailer (2010 model) is out of warranty, so Lippert can't void the frame warranty. As noted a goose neck hitch does exert extra stress on the pinbox at the frame attachment.

The Gooseball is nothing more than a glorified goose neck adapter with an airbag. Lipper does approve of it because they own Reese.

I personally do not like the Andersen as I have seen a couple of damaged ones and a couple that would not release the ball. They wound up blocking the front jack enough to lift the entire ball and shank out of the hitch frame, and then removing the adapter from the pinbox.

If your goal is a clean bed, go with the B&W Turnover Ball and Companion hitch.

If you want the best and smoothest 5th wheel hitch, get a Trailer Saver air ride hitch.

Ken

peanut · 07-16-2023, 08:34 AM

I use a Pullrite 2600 single point attachment hitch. I love it.
It is the same idea as the Andersen but the ball/cup is reversed.
It is all steel vs aluminum and made in the USA.
20k max gross trailer weight
5k rated pin weight
There is a goose ball version (2600)and a standard rail version (2400).
The rail version (2400 model) weighs 84 lbs. total.
Since you already are using rails, here is the ISR version (Pullrite 2400):
https://www.campingworld.com/pullrit...c=ds&gclsrc=ds

rogerinamarillo · 07-16-2023, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badbart56

I remember eons ago that switching from a fifth wheel hitch to a gooseneck hitch was frowned upon. I don't really remember what the issues were but frankly I'm tired of fighting with that heavy fifth wheel hitch every time I need to remove it to put something large in the bed of my F-350.

I have the rails that will work with the Reese gooseneck hitches and it's a lot lighter than that fifth wheel hitch. Has anyone else done this? Pros and cons? I'm ready to ditch the hitch! Thanks in advance.

I have a Reese Goosebox on my 2021 Avalanche 312RS and love it! My TV is a a 2022 Chevy 3500 Duramax. I run around 38psi in the Goosebox airbag and the Avalanche pulls like it's not even there.

BSandersAZ · 07-16-2023, 09:39 PM

I have been used the Reese 20k on my Fusion 325 toy hauler for 5-6 years. Pump the shock and it rides like a dream. My decision was easy, I needed the bed of my truck and didn’t want to deal with the typical fifth hitch. No regrets!

If only the AC could keep up….

Brad in AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

Some modify the 5th wheel for a straight gooseneck attachment at the pin box. IMO I wouldn't do that because it exerts additional stresses on the 5th wheel frame. My neighbor where I winter has one and I can see how it would stress the trailer. Asked him why it was there and that's the way he bought it to put out for the winter to fish.

You can change the pin box to a modern style gooseneck. The Reese Goose Box is gaining popularity and it's the only kingpin adapter that doesn't void the Lippert frame warranty. If warranty isn't a concern there is also they Gen Y kingpin gooseneck adapter. It will void the Lippert warranty unless they've changed their policy recently which I've not seen.

Then there are the adapters that use the goose ball/hole to attach to the truck but use a regular 5th wheel hitch on top. Demco Recon and B&W Companion come to mind. They are covered by warranties as the Lippert stipulations don't address using the ball or ball attachment, only the kingpin and adapters. The Andersen is in this group but uses an adapter on the kingpin which will now void a Lippert 5th wheel frame warranty. Went into effect March 15, 2021 IIRC. I love my Andersen btw. Was just out messing with it this afternoon - won't be doing that with a 200+ lb. 5th wheel hitch.

gearhead · 07-17-2023, 04:54 AM

I went to the Reese Goosebox 2 or 3 years ago. Reese makes 2 versions with different pin weight capacities. My pin weight is usually 4,000+ which puts me over the Reese max a little bit. Everyone I asked told me it was no issue.
I considered the GEN Y but they had some problems early with bed clearance that scared me off. I understand that has been resolved.
The Reese air bag will bleed down over time. I had to experiment with how much air pressure to run. 38 works pretty good for me. Reese recently redesigned the Schrader valve location. It was horizontal but is now vertical. It was quite the effort to change the pressure when hooked up, now it looks even harder. It may be easier with a SRW but with a dually you better have it where you want before you hitch up.
Hitching up….sometimes I can get right over the ball but usually it takes a couple times to move the truck. Much like a tongue pull trailer.

Vannooch · 07-28-2023, 05:51 PM

I moved from a TT to my 5ver last fall. Never used a fifth wheel hitch but installed a goosebox at the dealership before I pulled out. Towing with a Titan XD with a factory gooseneck ball. The main reason for the pin box switch was the warranty on the trailer. They would not warrant the Andersen hitch. When I bought the rig I was leaving for a trip so I ended up with a curt, the Andersen and the goosebox in the garage at the same time. I am very happy with the goosebox but really don’t have anything to compare it with. I do love being able to load the bikes into the bed of the truck from the campsite to explor further in a shor time.

**sourdough** · 07-28-2023, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vannooch

I moved from a TT to my 5ver last fall. Never used a fifth wheel hitch but installed a goosebox at the dealership before I pulled out. Towing with a Titan XD with a factory gooseneck ball. The main reason for the pin box switch was the warranty on the trailer. They would not warrant the Andersen hitch. When I bought the rig I was leaving for a trip so I ended up with a curt, the Andersen and the goosebox in the garage at the same time. I am very happy with the goosebox but really don’t have anything to compare it with. I do love being able to load the bikes into the bed of the truck from the campsite to explor further in a shor time.

Welcome to the forum, lots of great folks with tons of knowledge and willing to help.

I hate to mention this, but have you looked at the payload on that truck or scaled the rig? That is an 11k gvwr 5th wheel on a 1/2 ton truck. I'm thinking you may be overweight???

wiredgeorge · 07-28-2023, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

Welcome to the forum, lots of great folks with tons of knowledge and willing to help.

I hate to mention this, but have you looked at the payload on that truck or scaled the rig? That is an 11k gvwr 5th wheel on a 1/2 ton truck. I'm thinking you may be overweight???

He has no profile or signature. How did you know this? Did he post this elsewhere?

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