Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: Dragula]
#2888161
02/14/21 02:06 PM
02/14/21 02:06 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,512 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
|
Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,512
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
|
Can a 5th wheel trailer be converted to a goose neck trailer easily? There are adapters, however I use the B&W system on my trucks, The gooseneck mount is attached to the frame and a fifth-wheel adapter is used. I have used it for years with a 44' fifth wheel enclosed trailer with no issues, mounts and removes in seconds...https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/5th-wheel-hitch
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: NITROUSN]
#2888322
02/14/21 07:04 PM
02/14/21 07:04 PM
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,383 Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Dragula
OP
I Live Here
|
OP
I Live Here
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,383
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
|
Yes they can be converted. You just unbolt your pin box and bolt on the adapter kit. Kit That's interesting....Found a trailer I like, but its a 5th wheel and I am setup for GN
Last edited by Dragula; 02/14/21 07:07 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: Dragula]
#2888365
02/14/21 07:44 PM
02/14/21 07:44 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,102 Byron, NY
W.I.N. Racing
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,102
Byron, NY
|
What brand is the trailer?...don't see many car trailers with fifth wheel hitches...
'01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60 '01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust, '05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list '60 Willys CJ5 '01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison '64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: W.I.N. Racing]
#2888378
02/14/21 07:59 PM
02/14/21 07:59 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,512 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
|
Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,512
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
|
My old Haulmark fiver at Frisco, Colorado after blowing the hose off the turbo on the 99 dually...LOL I only went through 7 NV4500's in this truck...
Last edited by Rhinodart; 02/14/21 08:01 PM.
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: NITROUSN]
#2888469
02/14/21 10:56 PM
02/14/21 10:56 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,512 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
|
Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,512
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
|
One more thing about a fifth wheel. NEVER GET IN A HURRY HOOKING IT UP! Leave the landing gear on the trailer down after you think it is hooked up then pull forward a short amount to make sure that the pin is set, just like you would do on a semi. It will save the sides of your truck box, DAMHIK!
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: Dragula]
#2888482
02/15/21 12:06 AM
02/15/21 12:06 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,478 Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
JDMopar
master
|
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,478
Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
|
Personally, I would never use an adapter on a heavy trailer. The adapter acts like a lever, and will flex the trailer frame where it Z's up to the 5th wheel pin area. The frame will eventually crack and break on a heavy trailer. Use a B&W Turnover Ball hitch under the truck bed, and a B&W Companion Hitch in the bed to tow the 5th wheel. The companion attaches to the Turnover Ball hitch, and there are no rails in your truck bed to be in the way when you aren't using the 5th wheel Companion Hitch.
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: JDMopar]
#2888485
02/15/21 12:08 AM
02/15/21 12:08 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228 Colleyville
3hundred
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228
Colleyville
|
Personally, I would never use an adapter on a heavy trailer. The adapter acts like a lever, and will flex the trailer frame where it Z's up to the 5th wheel pin area. The frame will eventually crack and break on a heavy trailer. Use a B&W Turnover Ball hitch under the truck bed, and a B&W Companion Hitch in the bed to tow the 5th wheel. The companion attaches to the Turnover Ball hitch, and there are no rails in your truck bed to be in the way when you aren't using the 5th wheel Companion Hitch. That's what I'd do. I converted a goose neck trailer to fifth wheel, first thing I noticed after conversion was a noticeably better ride.
'68 Fury Convertible '69 300 Convertible '15 Durango 5.7 Hemi '16 300 S Hemi
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: Rhinodart]
#2888662
02/15/21 12:26 PM
02/15/21 12:26 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,407 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
NITROUSN
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,407
UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
|
As far as converting from 5th wheel to goose neck it can be done. I know of several and have never seen failures. It is like anything else do it right and inspect often. Other things to consider is how much towing will you be doing. If it was to make a living then buy the right trailer. If it is for recreation just do it. I believe most failures could be attributed to extreme conditions, over loading, poor quality trailer, lack of maintenance. A lot of cracks come from cycling, and harmonic vibrations. If they were unsafe they would be banned from selling. B and W does make nice hitches. That companion is one heavy SOB to take in and out. If you do not care about taking the hitch out then look around for one. Most of the used ones can be had for 5 to 7 hundred bucks. There is some set up required when first installing one. Each will vary depending on your bed floor.
Last edited by NITROUSN; 02/15/21 02:06 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: NITROUSN]
#2888705
02/15/21 01:27 PM
02/15/21 01:27 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,102 Byron, NY
W.I.N. Racing
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,102
Byron, NY
|
Admittedly I have never pulled a Fifth wheel trailer (only goosenecks) but it seems like they are less forgiving than a Goose neck especially on uneven terrain. Without having done any investigations, what are the advantages of a fifth vs a goose?
Last edited by W.I.N. racing; 02/15/21 01:29 PM.
'01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60 '01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust, '05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list '60 Willys CJ5 '01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison '64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: W.I.N. Racing]
#2888725
02/15/21 01:46 PM
02/15/21 01:46 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228 Colleyville
3hundred
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228
Colleyville
|
Admittedly I have never pulled a Fifth wheel trailer (only goosenecks) but it seems like they are less forgiving than a Goose neck especially on uneven terrain. Without having done any investigations, what are the advantages of a fifth vs a goose? All I know of, better ride, no safety chains required, less landing gear cranking. Only downside is what Jim mentioned, if you don't latch the jaws (should be automatic) you can drive out from under it. When I had my Freightliner I always double checked the latch before leaving the truck stop in case some clown might have pulled the release, never happened to me, but heard stories.
'68 Fury Convertible '69 300 Convertible '15 Durango 5.7 Hemi '16 300 S Hemi
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: Dragula]
#2888899
02/15/21 07:38 PM
02/15/21 07:38 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,102 Byron, NY
W.I.N. Racing
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,102
Byron, NY
|
Use a goose neck you'll never want a tag again...in the spring come drag my 36' around the block you'll see what I mean.
'01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60 '01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust, '05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list '60 Willys CJ5 '01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison '64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: W.I.N. Racing]
#2888949
02/15/21 09:49 PM
02/15/21 09:49 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,512 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
|
Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,512
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
|
I use a tag because I need the bed, goose or fifth takes most of it away, plus I like to run a cap. This 36' Imperial I had was the cats [censored], wish I would have never sold it!
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: Dragula]
#2889391
02/16/21 08:34 PM
02/16/21 08:34 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,478 Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
JDMopar
master
|
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,478
Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
|
My 2004 Dodge is a quad cab 4WD.....and a short bed. The 5th wheel camper we had for several years was a Sunnybrook, and the dry weight was 12K lbs! It pulled it just fine, and I was always careful to not jack it too far around while backing or turning it. If your goose neck hitch is one where you have to pull a little lever in the drivers side rear wheel well to flip the ball over, it is more than likely a B&W hitch. All you have to do is pull the ball out, and drop the solid steel square bar from the Companion hitch down into the hole the gooseneck ball just came out of. The Companion hitch sits in the bed on top of that square steel bar. You torque the bolt going into the top of the square bar to 40 ft lbs, and the u bolts going around the square bar to 80 ft lbs....and it's ready to tow. No rails in the bed....no more holes in the bed.
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#2890668
02/19/21 07:12 PM
02/19/21 07:12 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,102 Byron, NY
W.I.N. Racing
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,102
Byron, NY
|
Not that this is the smartest thing to do but...my 36 foot goose enclosed goes down the road at 12-13K lbs and I am perfectly comfortable doing 80-85 one hand on the wheel , lane changes are effortless, my 53 foot goose is at 18-19k and I slow down a little but still an absolute effortless pull. a 28 foot bumper pull although power wise is effortless the bucking and lane change require more attention to detail... my point being if you are going to do any distance hauling, get the goose. But to Randy's question, If you can convert it, safely do so I don't think you will regret it.
'01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60 '01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust, '05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list '60 Willys CJ5 '01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison '64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd
|
|
|
Re: Trailer Q: 5th wheel to Goose
[Re: Dragula]
#2940534
07/06/21 02:30 PM
07/06/21 02:30 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,066 (Central) PA
Runner2go
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,066
(Central) PA
|
Can a 5th wheel trailer be converted to a goose neck trailer easily? I was at a dealer a few weeks ago and while I was there a guy pulled in with a ram with a fixed mount gooseneck ball in the bed. He had just purchased a 40ft toy hauler 5th wheel camper. He slapped this adapter onto the 5th wheel king pin in about 5-10min, hooked the rig up and left with it. I have no idea if he planned to use this set up full time or if he was going to replace the entire 5th wheel king pin on the camper with a gooseneck hitch after he got it home. I do know that he said he was ONLY going to tow it with the gooseneck ball because they go out in the wilderness with 4-wheelers and the gooseneck is more forgiving of uneven ground than a 5th wheel. Especially when trying to disconnect or hook it up the camper. When we were camper shopping I decided I didn't want 5th wheel rails permanently mounted in my bed. So I bought a Curt Gooseneck under bed hitch (similar to the BW hideaway) and a Curt 5th wheel adapter that slides down into it when you pull the ball out. I heavy sob, but you can pull it out in 2min and have a flat bed again. Any 5th wheel hitch works in the rails of the adapter... but it is weight limited to 20k lbs. Curt X5 adapter , Double Lock EZr GooseneckSo after I bought all that stuff, "The Wife" picked a new camper that is "technically" puts my 2500 over weight limits. With the firestone red airbags it would pull it all day long & not squat, but with the pin weight of the camper plus the added weight of the gooseneck+adaptor+hitch... the truck would be sitting around 9800 lbs (9k gvwr)... I didn't feel like being held "at fault" should we get in an accident some day... So I went south and bought a rust free 2004 3500 dually. It has a set of Reese rails in it already, & since the holes are already in the bed I'm not taking it out to swap in the gooseneck set up. I month ago I had a plan & a truck I trust to go anywhere... now I have a gooseneck hitch and a 5th wheel adapter sitting on the floor without a home, & looking at selling a rust free truck I love & trust... while hoping the new one is just as reliable. I guess that's why some guys stay single.
|
|
|
|
|