Fifth wheel towing options

[Montecresto]

Well damn it...... had a catastrophe pulling my toy hauler.....

I didn’t know you could make contact between the cab of the truck and the RV. But I do now.

 

[Montecresto]

I don’t like sliding hitches, seen a few problems with them. But looking for alternatives.

Be nice to know if anybody’s had experience with these:

Sidewinder with Rotating Turret for Short Bed Pickups | etrailer.com

 

[DDDonkey]

Yep I never liked sliders so I was always hyper aware when in a tight turn. Too bad about that, hope they can fix it fast.

 

[Montecresto]

Yep I never liked sliders so I was always hyper aware when in a tight turn. Too bad about that, hope they can fix it fast.

Yeah, I think from what I’ve seen sliders are cheesy.

I just did this to it and headed out on my trip to Talladega anyway. It has protected everything fine and I’m back now and will be dropping it off in the morning for the glass. Body guy says based upon the photo, he thinks they will be able to put the glass in before the body work is done...fingers crossed on that.

 

[Montecresto]

White shower curtain and white duct tape so it didn’t look too s***ty for the week...

 

[Vikes79]

Dude, sorry to hear about your problems!

Yeah it’s definitely possible to make contact with the cab if you aren’t paying attention.

I have a steel Anderson Ultimate hitch on my fiver. I really like it. It is no longer made in the gooseneck version but the aluminum version is pretty good too.

Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection | Gooseneck Hitch for 5th Wheel Trailer

I was running a 5” offset gooseneck adapter with the Andersen king pin adapter in the rear position on my 2017 Crossroads 5th wheel and could make full 90 turns on flat ground with my 16’ F350 short box.

With my 2019 Wolfpack camper I believe the corners are rounded enough to have my AUH in a normal position.

 

[Vikes79]

Here is another twist to consider. It’s not a conventional slider. It’s a bit speedy imo.

Super Ride (BXR6200, BXR7200) | Blue Ox

 

[Montecresto]

Dude, sorry to hear about your problems!

Yeah it’s definitely possible to make contact with the cab if you aren’t paying attention.

I have a steel Anderson Ultimate hitch on my fiver. I really like it. It is no longer made in the gooseneck version but the aluminum version is pretty good too.

Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection | Gooseneck Hitch for 5th Wheel Trailer

I was running a 5” offset gooseneck adapter with the Andersen king pin adapter in the rear position on my 2017 Crossroads 5th wheel and could make full 90 turns on flat ground with my 16’ F350 short box.

With my 2019 Wolfpack camper I believe the corners are rounded enough to have my AUH in a normal position.

Thank you Vikes, much appreciated. I prefer the gooseneck to fifth wheel and 2019 WolfPack is what I’m pulling. I’ll give your options a look.

 

[Montecresto]

I have a steel Anderson Ultimate hitch on my fiver. I really like it. It is no longer made in the gooseneck version but the aluminum version is pretty good too.

Wonder if I could find a used one???? Really prefer the gooseneck......?

 

[Vikes79]

Thank you Vikes, much appreciated. I prefer the gooseneck to fifth wheel and 2019 WolfPack is what I’m pulling. I’ll give your options a look.

In the pic below the camper is resting on the steel AUH with the 5” offset to the rear.

This rig is a 325pack13.

Here is the hitch installed with out my 5” offset. I’m still working on the right setup. You can see the dirt shadow of where the hitch sits with the offset.

 

[Bradley-Thornton]

I prefer the gooseneck style. 5th wheels are heavy and take up a ton of room.

2 different ways to do it.
1st way offset (You can buy better ones this is just easy to find you can buy them with airbags to make them ride better)
Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter w/ Offset - 12" to 16" Tall Conver

Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter w/8" Offset for Short-Bed Trucks A

With
Curt Spyder Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Fifth Wheel Rails, 25,000 lbs GTW Curt Gooseneck 16085

Reese Above-Bed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch - 25,000 lbs Reese Gooseneck RP58079

2nd way
Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter - 12" to 16" Tall - 20,000 lbs Con

Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter Andersen Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adap

With offset
Curt Above-Bed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Fifth Wheel Rails - 3" Offset - 25,000 lbs Curt Goos

Pro Series 25K Gooseneck Plate for Fifth Wheel Rails by Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch and Reese Pro Series

 

[Vikes79]

I prefer the gooseneck style. 5th wheels are heavy and take up a ton of room.

2 different ways to do it.
1st way offset (You can buy better ones this is just easy to find you can buy them with airbags to make them ride better)
Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter w/ Offset - 12" to 16" Tall Conver

Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter w/8" Offset for Short-Bed Trucks A

With
Curt Spyder Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Fifth Wheel Rails, 25,000 lbs GTW Curt Gooseneck 16085

Reese Above-Bed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch - 25,000 lbs Reese Gooseneck RP58079

2nd way
Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter - 12" to 16" Tall - 20,000 lbs Con

Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter Andersen Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adap

With offset
Curt Above-Bed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Fifth Wheel Rails - 3" Offset - 25,000 lbs Curt Goos

Pro Series 25K Gooseneck Plate for Fifth Wheel Rails by Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch and Reese Pro Series

The ONLY gooseneck adapter allowed by Lippert is the Reesegoose box.

All the others have been well documented to tear up fifth wheel trailers and should be avoided at all costs.

Been there done that. Plz learn from my experience. 5th wheels are not constructed like traditional gooseneck trailers. The pin box cannot handle the moment placed on it by these adapters and will crack the frame without serious modifications and reinforcement of the pin box mounting flanges and frame.

A simple google search for Ranch Hitch Failures will yield many pages of pictures of the destruction.

I had a Ranch Hitch on a 2008 Fleetwood fiver. It was the most chucking worthless pos ever made. You could see the flex in the camper as you went down the road.

Never ever again.

 

[Bradley-Thornton]

I have this is my truck with a cover on the ball and it never comes out of the truck.

Curt Spyder Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Fifth Wheel Rails, 25,000 lbs GTW Curt Gooseneck 16085

The ball cover
Fastway Trailer Hitch Ball Cover with Tether - 2-5/16" Ball Fastway Accessories and Parts FA82-

 

[Bradley-Thornton]

The ONLY gooseneck adapter allowed by Lippert is the Reesegoose box.

All the others have been well documented to tear up fifth wheel trailers and should be avoided at all costs.

Been there done that. Plz learn from my experience. 5th wheels are not constructed like traditional gooseneck trailers. The pin box cannot handle the moment placed on it and will crack the frame without serious modifications and reinforcement of the pin box mounting flanges and frame.

I'v never had a problem but I will say I have read a few people saying this and the Andersen you posted is a great choice.

Had to look Lippert up never heard of them.

 

[WhiskeyTee]

The ONLY gooseneck adapter allowed by Lippert is the Reesegoose box.

All the others have been well documented to tear up fifth wheel trailers and should be avoided at all costs.

Been there done that. Plz learn from my experience. 5th wheels are not constructed like traditional gooseneck trailers. The pin box cannot handle the moment placed on it by these adapters and will crack the frame without serious modifications and reinforcement of the pin box mounting flanges and frame.

A simple google search for Ranch Hitch Failures will yield many pages of pictures of the destruction.

I had a Ranch Hitch on a 2008 Fleetwood fiver. It was the most chucking worthless pos ever made. You could see the flex in the camper as you went down the road.

Never ever again.

What he said! A Gooseneck adaptor applies tremendous force in components that were not designed for it. (think cheater bar!)

Your only options are a slider, long bed truck or being very careful and hoping for the best.

This did not last very long without similar results to OP. Then I got the B&W slider. Then I got a long bed!

 

[Vikes79]

I'v never had a problem but I will say I have read a few people saying this and the Andersen you posted is a great choice.

Had to look Lippert up never heard of them.

They are the frame mfgr for a solid 80% of the campers on the road.

 

[Vikes79]

Wonder if I could find a used one???? Really prefer the gooseneck......?

Possibly maybe craigslist?

I imagine that in your area has to an absolute abundance of used camper hitches for sale.

 

[Montecresto]

Been there done that. Plz learn from my experience.

Oh no sir, we’re not going to do that. Wonder why RV dealers sell the gooseneck versions if they’re not designed for it....

 

[Montecresto]

Possibly maybe craigslist?

I imagine that in your area has to an absolute abundance of used camper hitches for sale.

But am I understanding that you’re counseling against the gooseneck version. The reason I’ve always liked the gooseneck style is the independence. The trailer rocks on dips and such without moving the truck around because of just a ball.

 

[Vikes79]

Oh no sir, we’re not going to do that. Wonder why RV dealers sell the gooseneck versions if they’re not designed for it....

RV dealers will sell anything that will make them a buck. Same reason auto stores sell repairs in a can, or other items of similar interest.

Lippert / Heartland will flat out deny your warranty work if an adapter is on your rig and you show up for front cap work, windows out of alignment, wall separating, cracked frame, etc.

Fifth wheels are designed to be pulled in a straight line, not at the bottom of a stick that places rotational forces on the pinbox.

Google away if you doubt me. Years of reading and pics on any of the big RV forums.

A new AUH can be had on eBay for $600 delivered.