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Old 11-01-2015, 03:37 PM   #1
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Gooseneck or 5th wheel hitch which is better

Good afternoon a couple months ago we got our first 5th wheel a 2012 V-cross and we were hauling it with a Chevy, but the Chevy died and we just got a Ford F-250 and it came with a Gooseneck in the bed and we are having a problem with finding somebody to put our 5th wheel in the truck. Should we convert to a gooseneck or try to get the 5th wheel hitch installed? Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
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Old 11-01-2015, 07:19 PM   #2
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I had sorta the same issue. When we bought our 5th wheel 5 years ago, we learned that we had a gooseneck hitch under the bedliner. The RV dealer installed a Ranch Hitch adapter. We've been pulling with it since. We've looked into getting a Reese goose box but don't think it'll give us enough height.
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Old 11-01-2015, 07:22 PM   #3
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Reese, best of both worlds.

https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en#h...ompanion+hitch
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Old 11-01-2015, 09:18 PM   #4
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Yes, on the companion. That is an option we looked at too. Heard some great things about it. Would probably be the better option for us. I guess it comes down to personal preference and what you feel is best for you.
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Old 11-01-2015, 09:28 PM   #5
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The gooseneck "adapters" are ,IMO" shakey, and will void any warranty on your frame. The Reese Goose box is Lippert approved and being an air suspended coupler,will give you a ride that is jerk and chuck free.I have run ours 7000 miles and would not trade for anything else,and yes, I have owned fifth wheel hitch trailers to compare to.
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Old 11-02-2015, 12:54 PM   #6
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Some mfgrs. Prohibit the use of a gooseneck adapter. Give yours a call.
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Old 11-02-2015, 01:13 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by casper77 View Post
Good afternoon a couple months ago we got our first 5th wheel a 2012 V-cross and we were hauling it with a Chevy, but the Chevy died and we just got a Ford F-250 and it came with a Gooseneck in the bed and we are having a problem with finding somebody to put our 5th wheel in the truck. Should we convert to a gooseneck or try to get the 5th wheel hitch installed? Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
There must be a local hitch shop that put your hitch in? What make is it?
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Old 11-02-2015, 01:41 PM   #8
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I have 2 gooseneck adapters for sale. One is cushioned and pulls fairly well. I purchased a new 2016 Coachmen in July.and.decided to install conventional fifth wheel and I honestly can feel a difference to the better side towing vs the gooseneck adapter.
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Old 11-02-2015, 01:43 PM   #9
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Most trucks tow higher weights with gooseneck hitch, don't know why. My ram 3500 dually is rated to carry more weight with gooseneck.
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Old 11-02-2015, 01:59 PM   #10
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Generally speaking goosenecks will void frame warrenty. RV frames are simply not designed for gooseneck stresses.
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Old 11-02-2015, 02:31 PM   #11
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I had this issue. The simplest answer is the Andersen Aluminum Ultimate Fifth Wheel hitch. I've had mind now for about 12000 miles of towing and it does everything they say and the tow experience has been great. This hitch ships in a UPS box to your house and only weighs 32#. Not only can you install it yourself, it's a breeze to put in and take out of the truck. Here's a link to a Youtube I created that shows what's in the box and a little of what it looks like in the truck. Feel free to laugh at my really poor speaking skill. .

If you want to see the hitch in action, this vendor video is much better than what I put together.
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Old 11-02-2015, 04:16 PM   #12
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I have had the Andersen hitch for this past summer and love the hitch. Towed all over the northeast and have had no issues. I have no idea why people use all of these expensive parts to tow when this hitch is available. Also helps with the weight of the hitch being so low. Easy to put in and out and a lot less weight to have in your truck. It can tow 24000 pounds with 4500 tongue weight. This is a great hitch.Click image for larger version

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Old 11-02-2015, 04:23 PM   #13
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My dealer told me a gooseneck would void the Forest River warranty. The shop at the dealership where I bought my 5th wheel also told me the front cabinets will often pull away from the wall when using a gooseneck.
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Old 11-02-2015, 04:51 PM   #14
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lost my 5er in South Dakota last spring , 60 mph micro burst cross wind . Had an Anderson ranch hitch ( no such thing as a guarantee) , Basically snapped at the ball. Now have the B&W Companion. MUCH more stable....ranch hitch will void your warranty on the trailer frame..... Totaled the Sanibel and $8000 damage to truck. No more ranch hitches for me
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Old 11-02-2015, 04:57 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fander View Post
My dealer told me a gooseneck would void the Forest River warranty. The shop at the dealership where I bought my 5th wheel also told me the front cabinets will often pull away from the wall when using a gooseneck.
My dealer sold and installed mine. I did it that way so nobody could say "oh,you modifyed the frame". The dealer called Lippert and got an OK on it.Lippert says they have tested them and they are fine,last I heard lippert bought the manufacturing rights for them as well.
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Old 11-02-2015, 06:24 PM   #16
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The Reese "Goose Box" Is endorsed by Lippert, and does not void my 5th wheel frame warranty, as per Forest River.
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Old 11-02-2015, 08:09 PM   #17
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I use a gooseneck that was installed by the dealer on my Prime Time 315.
Just ordered this reese one with the offset. Never had a problem and like the extra room in the bed and not having to pull the fifth wheel hitch out when not in use. Used the normal 5th wheel hitch on my two previous fivers but thought I would try this after seeing so many people using gooses.

Convert-A-Ball C5GX1216 Fifth Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter With 7-1/2" Offset
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Old 11-03-2015, 06:09 PM   #18
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Look at the Andersen Hitch!!!
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Old 11-03-2015, 07:03 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 47chevy View Post
lost my 5er in South Dakota last spring , 60 mph micro burst cross wind . Had an Anderson ranch hitch ( no such thing as a guarantee) , Basically snapped at the ball. Now have the B&W Companion. MUCH more stable....ranch hitch will void your warranty on the trailer frame..... Totaled the Sanibel and $8000 damage to truck. No more ranch hitches for me
Was it a "Ranch Hand" or an "Ultimate Fifth". They are very different.
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Old 11-03-2015, 07:50 PM   #20
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Only thing I can add is about the hitching up. Having towed both fivers and gooses, I can say the fiver is much easier to hook up to. I can see the hitch as I back up to it and hit it first try. With a gooseneck ball so deep in the bed, I can't see it and i have to get out and check location several times until I'm centered under the hitch. Just a thought.
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