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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Fifth Wheel Hitches:

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Dick

08-09-2004 16:17:42




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There are two different types of 5th wheel hitches: One that attaches to a ball mounted in the center of the bed of a pickup or truck. The other type is a small 5th wheel that mounts in the center of the bed attaching to a pin on the hitch of the trailer..

My question: Which type do you prefer and why? Is one better than the other? Is one type better for certian applications?

Often wondered about this and figured this would be a good place to ask this question..

Thanks,
Dick

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TimFL

08-10-2004 20:30:33




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Dick, 08-09-2004 16:17:42  
With a 5th wheel set up you loose the use of your truck bed. Towing otherwise is about the same with either of them. I think it is more a factor of what trailer you are wanting to pull. Aint seen many equipment trailers w/ 5th wheel. Aint seen many campers with a gooseneck.

My$.02



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T_Bone

08-10-2004 00:33:43




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Dick, 08-09-2004 16:17:42  
Hi Dick,

Theres two types of 5th wheel heads. One 5th wheel type adds more stability to the hitch from setting on a flat plate. It tilts front to back with no side to side movement. This adds slightly more stability to the trailer from sidewinds.

Another type of 5th is a 2-way head, that is the head tilts front to back as well as side to side. This removes most of the side to side stability. The advantage is it will aid in hitch up on ruff ground where the truck and trailer is not level but not as good as a GN hitch.

Neither type is close to a semi type 5th wheel as they use a 30" plate that adds alot more trailer stability.

The gooseneck is a 2-5/16" ball just like a bumper pull but located over the axle like a 5th wheel. The advantage is you get easy hitch up on ruff terrian from any direction and is why stock and equipment trailers use the GN hitch. Drawback is you loose all side to side towing stability of the single 5th wheel offers.

Both types of hitching is a vast improvement over bumper pull trailer towing.

T_Bone

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Farmered

08-10-2004 05:05:15




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to T_Bone, 08-10-2004 00:33:43  
Another consideration is that you need safety chains with the GN hitch and with the fifth wheel you don't. (In most states anyway) That should say something about the security of the fifth wheel over the ball hitch. I love my fifth wheel. Ed



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T_Bone

08-10-2004 20:42:11




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Farmered, 08-10-2004 05:05:15  
Hi Ed,

With a 5th wheel if you move the tow vechile without locking the pin you end up with a 5'er in/on your bed almost instantly.

With a GN if you move the tow vechile without locking the pin, it could be awhile before the trailer bounces off the pin thus the need for safety chains.

T_Bone



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(P)

08-10-2004 00:08:25




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Dick, 08-09-2004 16:17:42  
I believe that the main reason that you will find that most people like the goose neck version is that you can connect the plate or what ever assy that is used to mount the ball on is easily fastened to the frame in some manner rather than just to the bed as is the fashion most 5th wheel mounts seem to be installed - I certainly know that's why I use the goose neck method!!!



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jim

08-09-2004 21:30:55




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Dick, 08-09-2004 16:17:42  
There is also an inverse 5th wheel. There is a kingpin in the truck bed and the hitch is on the trailer. Same benefits as ball as far as flexability. Rated 30,000 if I remember right. Depending on brand of kingpin hitch in truck, it can be an interchangeable one with a ball or a push down out of the way type.



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LP

08-09-2004 20:08:52




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Dick, 08-09-2004 16:17:42  
I like the ball style. It allows 360deg free motion of the truck. The 5th wheel with side tilt is ok also. Just years ago alot of truck frames were getting cracked with the twisting of going through ditches and driveways. The ball style lets the truck twist in all dirrections with no stress on the frame rails Gary



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Richard

08-09-2004 18:16:46




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Dick, 08-09-2004 16:17:42  
OK now that we have got the names wright. Where I live most people convert there 5th wheel campers to ball ( gooseneck )hitch if you look on ebay you well see them or you can buy them at camper sales. the reason is most have gooseneck trailers. I don't think one will pull more then the other. I have a ball that flips over when not in use leaves the bed ready to haul whatever.this is just what I like.

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TheRealRon

08-09-2004 16:46:20




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Dick, 08-09-2004 16:17:42  
You described a gooseneck and a 5th wheel. They are actually quite different.

While each has it's own role, for most aplications the 5th wheel will allow you to tow more weight with more stability and manuverability. It's also much easier to acquire and release the trailer.



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Dick

08-09-2004 17:15:28




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to TheRealRon, 08-09-2004 16:46:20  
Sorry about the mixup with the names.. Gooseneck and 5th wheel.. I know of people who have gooseneck trailers and pull 20"trailers with tractors and very heavy loads. Also there are people who have 5th wheel setups and also pull very heavy loads..

Is it just a personal preference? It"s true most trailer houses are pulled with a 5th wheel setup, but some of the larger ones can be heavy too..

Just wondering,
Dick

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JOHN C. HARMON

08-11-2004 08:24:03




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Dick, 08-09-2004 17:15:28  
I have a Reese 15K Hitch I pull a 12000 lb. Jayco designer 3430 with and have no problems other than when you unhitch and remove the Wheel the mounting rails are always there in the Bed. If this is no problem this is the way to go. I have a friend in Texas who ranches and has several gooseneck Trailers on the ranch so he converted his Jayco[same model] to a Goose Neck and hasn't stopped complaining since of the excessive rocking from rough roads, semis passing and turbulant side winds. Tough choice but I would stay with a 5th Wheel Hitch. My $1.00 worth

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Jim Elder

08-09-2004 20:24:32




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Dick, 08-09-2004 17:15:28  
You will find that the campers are the only trailers that have the 5th wheel hitch. the rest of the trailers have ball type hitches.Unless some one has changed them.



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Brent in IA

08-11-2004 10:38:40




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Jim Elder, 08-09-2004 20:24:32  
I have a 1971 24 foot "OK" brand stock trailer with a factory fifth-wheel setup. The original owner ordered it that way (factory option he said) because he had a camper and didn't want two types of hitches in his pickup.

I bought it at a fair price from him when he quit raising livestock because most others in the area only had gooseneck hitches in their trucks. I have a Reese/Drawtight rail system that allows me to snap in whichever hitch I need, in fact I can leave the goosneck plate in and snap the fifth-wheel over/around it. Real handy.

Either hitch beats a bumper-pull for pulling, stability, backing, turning, almost anything. Plus, not as many "neighbors" want to borrow them because their "city-trucks" don't have the right hitch!

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Coloken

08-09-2004 16:35:57




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Dick, 08-09-2004 16:17:42  
I'm just a dumb old farmer so don't take what I say as gospel. Seems common name for one is "gooseneck" used for most stock trailers. Other is "fifth wheel" used on most campers. Friend has one in pickup that convertes either way. Think it is a Reese (sp?). He pops in the fifth wheel for his camper or the ball to pull my goose neck stock trailer. Nice to have both if you are going to pull both. As we have found out here, names vary a lot in different parts of the country, not to mention merry old England.

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GMorrison

08-11-2004 09:58:33




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 Re: Fifth Wheel Hitches: in reply to Coloken, 08-09-2004 16:35:57  
Gooseneck hitches are used for applications similar to pintle hooks. Heavy loads that may encounter somewhat rough terrain where flexibility in the hitch connection is very important. Equipment trailers, stock trailers, dump trailers, and the like use gooseneck hitches. Fifth wheel type hitches are used where stability is a primary concern and it is unlikely that the combination will be required to negotiate rough terrain. Fifth wheels are used on most travel trailers, closed car transportation trailers, and some high capacity open car trailers, all of which are used primarilly on paved roadways. There are conversion adapters available to use fifth wheel trailers with gooseneck hitches. Most experienced towers won't use them because they put stresses on the trailer plate that the frame was not engineered to support. Some travel trailers are being designed to accomodate gooseneck adapters, or gooseneck retrofits. There are hitches available which will accomodate both types of hook-up, and as a bonus leave the pick-up bed usable. I use a B&W turnover Ball Hitch, which is a gooseneck type hitch designed to allow a virtually clear floor when the ball is inverted (only the safety chain loops stick up about 3/8"). In addition B&W manufactures a fifth wheel saddle assembly that locks into the ball socket and bears on the underbed support structure. In my opinion it's the best of both worlds, and lets me use the pick-up bed in the bargain.
Wether you drive a Ford, GM, or Dodge product, there is an excellent forum on towing at www.thedieselstop.com
Go to "forums", scroll down and find the forum labelled "towing and hauling"

Gregg

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