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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Gooseneck vs. 5th Wheel

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Glenn F.

04-30-2005 21:12:18




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I'm considering different trailor types for hauling my tractors, cars, and misc. machinery. I am leaning towards 5th wheel. I understand the gooseneck allows shorter turns and is better suited for rough terrain, but I still don't really see why it is such a popular design. Other than these two advantages, isn't the 5th wheel superior in every other way? Any other pros/cons? Thanks, Glenn F.

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Brent in IA

05-02-2005 10:30:34




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 Re: Gooseneck vs. 5th Wheel in reply to Glenn F., 04-30-2005 21:12:18  
I use both but an converting my last fifth-wheel to gooseneck hookup because I hate having to lift the 5th wheel hitch out of the pickup to have the bed back.

I DO love how easy the 5th wheel hooks up though....hard to miss-align.



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Joe(TX)

05-02-2005 09:35:50




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 Re: Gooseneck vs. 5th Wheel in reply to Glenn F., 04-30-2005 21:12:18  
I assume you are talking about the RV type fifth wheel. The Gooseneck has one big advantage over the RV fifth wheel, that being the coupling point is much lower and you get less roll and dive in the truck during turns and braking. They pull a lot easier. The gooseneck also has more pivot movement than a fifth wheel side to side. The only advantage I can see to a fifth wheel is it is easier to hook up. It is also easier to lose if the latch fails.

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acmfmh

05-02-2005 08:01:46




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 Re: Gooseneck vs. 5th Wheel in reply to Glenn F., 04-30-2005 21:12:18  
Glenn,

I think the question is how many cars or tractors will you haul at one time and how heavy is the load. Overloaded is bad for any hitch.

One thing I found(luckily before any problems) was that some GN hitches have low ratings. I finally bought a Una-Goose. It has a higher rating than what Reese offered. Only slightly higher than B&W. We have pulled GN's for over 30 years. Horsetrailers, flatbeds, and dump trailers. But, we pull them with 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. We also have full use of the bed with little effort when hauling. The most I will load on the flat bed is two small tractors. AC B and a WC. But, I will not load the MH 44 or MF180 with any other tractor only mower, blade, etc.

Any way ask yourself what requirements it has to meet and check the specs. See what is going to give room for safety.

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T_Bone

05-01-2005 14:55:54




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 Re: Gooseneck vs. 5th Wheel in reply to Glenn F., 04-30-2005 21:12:18  
Hi Glenn,

If the pins are loacated the same over the TV axle and the distance from the pin to the axles were the same, both trailer types would have the same turning radius upto 90�.

The GN has a slight advantage as it can turn slightly past 90� but then the trailer begins to bind on the TV as it enters greater than 90� plus.

The 5th wheel flat bolster plate adds side to side trailer and TV stability "if" it only moves in one direction, forward to back, but most of the newer 5th's have side to side bolster plate roll loosing some of the stabiltiy, but some do have a side to side lock out pin that can be installed/removed at will depending on use.

A RV type 5th wheel doesn't have the side to side stability as a semi 5th wheel as the RV bolster plate is typicaly 8" round/square where a semi bolster plate is 30" or larger.

On ruff terrrian a GN clearly has the most advantage while hitching/unhitching but the newer multi-tilt 5th wheels are a close second.

If you didn't have any tailgate/deck restriction, a GN can articulate at a greater degree front to back than a 5th.

I'm currently building a air ride 5th wheel hitch with a GN to 5th adapter so that I can run both types of trailers at will.

T_Bone

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old

05-01-2005 07:59:09




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 Re: Gooseneck vs. 5th Wheel in reply to Glenn F., 04-30-2005 21:12:18  
I prefer the 5th wheel type they are by D.O.T. standards safer. You don't need safty chains on them etc. The 5th wheel in a truck bed can be a problem but the one I have will pop off the bed with 4 pins and leave the bed also the same as if it wasn't there. As far as in rough stuff I can't see that a goose neck would be better since the 5th wheel plate will move up and down and also side to side. Hes also another way to think about it the millions of big rigs on the road use 5th wheels so there has to be something to say about them. But I am a retired trucker

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jdman(MO)

05-01-2005 06:56:14




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 Re: Gooseneck vs. 5th Wheel in reply to Glenn F., 04-30-2005 21:12:18  
I prefer the gooseneck and the disappearing hitch. Then when you are not pulling, there is no hardware in the back of your truck. Russ



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jdman(MO)

05-01-2005 06:56:06




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 Re: Gooseneck vs. 5th Wheel in reply to Glenn F., 04-30-2005 21:12:18  
I prefer the gooseneck and the disappearing hitch. Then when you are not pulling, there is no hardware in the back of your truck. Russ



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Nebraska Cowman

05-01-2005 03:31:19




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 Re: Gooseneck vs. 5th Wheel in reply to Glenn F., 04-30-2005 21:12:18  
I pull both. The 18 foot bumper pull (10,000 lb)is just plain handy. It will follow the pickup much better in close quarters. Lower and easy to load and it is a deckover trailer. (I despise those narrow trailers with outside fenders) The gooseneck is my highway outfit. A little bigger at 25 foot and I can haul 2 or more tractors. But it does pull harder even empty.



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