Gooseneck and 5th wheel hitch are popular choices when it comes to towing heavy loads. But it not like you will use one type all the way. There are trailers and campers that only suitable for either a gooseneck hitch or a 5th wheel hitch. This means you may have to change the hitch to effectively tow trailers from time to time and it’s frustrating. Well, how about you get a 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter then? The adapter will save you a lot of time and effort plus it easy to use too. And if you want to know more about the tool, this article is for you
You may figure this out already from the name, the adapter primary function is to allow your 5th wheel hitch to pull gooseneck trailers. Instead of having to change the hitch to fit the trailer couplers, you can keep using your original hitch. When the need arises, with the adapter, your hitch can easily attach itself to trailers that only accept gooseneck hitch. Thanks to this tool, your truck can tow both gooseneck and 5th wheel trailers with little preparation. Below are additional details about the adapter construction and its usage
Fifth wheel to gooseneck adapter
Features and aspects of the adapter
It’s very simple actually. The receiver part of the adapter looks just like a gooseneck hitch. When you need to pull gooseneck trailers, just put the adapter on the 5th wheel hitch rails and bolt it down. After that, hook the trailer couplers with the tool gooseneck receiver and you can start towing the trailer. When the truck arrives at your destination or you want to use the 5th wheel hitch again, casually remove the adapter. Both the adapter installing and removing process require little time to accomplish.
There are many types of adapters around with a variety of specification. Some are manual adapters that require you to go to the truck box to latch/unlatch the trailer couplers by yourself. Others are modern designs with the option to stay inside the car and remote control the latching mechanism. But no matter what you pick, it must be appropriate for your truck body and the trailer. Since gooseneck and 5th wheel trailers are mostly, if not always, heavy and bulky. An ill-suited adapter may reduce the truck stability which can lead to accidents.
For the cost, often at 400 – 500$, the adapter is relatively affordable. Manufactured out of solid steel and act as an important link between your truck and the trailer, it’s totally worth the cost. Therefore, if you want to get a 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter, you better make sure it sufficient for the task at hand. You need to collect certain measurements about the truck dimension and the clearance before deciding on what is the correct adapter size. If the purchase is wise and logical, your towing trip will be a smooth and uneventful experience.
How to select a suitable 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter
The clearance
To decide whether you can use a straight adapter or not, the first thing to do is obtaining the trailer width measurement. Next, divide that number by two and write down the result. Now you need to measure the distance between the back of the truck cab to the adapter planned position. If that distance happens to be at least 4 inches longer than the first result, you can use a straight adapter here. The clearance is good enough to allow an unobstructed installation of the adapter. Trailer couplers would also have a stable and reliable connection.
For a quick example, let’s assume that your trailer width is around 96 inches. One-half of it would be 48 inches. Add in 4 inches and now you have 52 inches. If the measurement from the gooseneck receiver to the truck cab is 52 inches or more, a straight adapter can be installed. If you don’t have enough clearance here, an offset adapter would have to do. The offset of the adapter can lengthen the clearance by 7.5 – 8 inches, depending on the type and brand.
The height
In order to decide the appropriate height for the adapter, get the car and the trailer to park on even ground. If you are having a problem then a jack would be useful here. When the trailer appears to be steady and level, back the truck toward it as if you are about to connect them together. After that, get to the truck box and measure the gap between the top of the gooseneck ball to the pin box (It’s not the kingpin). The measurement you get from this is the height of the adapter you should have.
To achieve a safe operation, also ensure a minimum distance of 6 inches between the trailer overhang and your truck side rails. These measurements should give you the general idea of the adapter height. The tallest height you can get with the adapter is the cushioned version at 16 inches. Some of the adapters also offer adjustable height to be more versatile to your needs.
Adjustable or fixed height
As stated above, an adapter with adjustable height is more flexible and versatile. Even if you made a small mistake with the measurement, you can still use this adapter type to your advantage. The adapter height can be modified to make sure it got the best with your truck and trailer. However, it’s also the most expensive among the adapters. Naturally, this means your budget will be the deciding factor. If you want to save money then try to be careful and get the precise measurement for a fixed adapter
A recommended 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter for your truck
The CURT 16055 Bent Plate 5th Wheel Rail Gooseneck Hitch
- Weight: 0.5 lbs
- Size: 26 x 14 x 8 In
- Towing capacity: Â 25,000 lbs
This is a product that comes with a traditional built and able to fit all standard 5th wheel hitch model. With its small size and lightweight, this adapter can support an impressive trailer gross weight of up to 25,000 lbs. The installation and removal process can be done relatively fast as usual. Utilize a carbide coating, the adapter can withstand a tremendous amount of rust, scratching and UV light. And if you still have any worry, a 7-year warranty will surely give you peace of mind. That is a proof of the manufacturer confidence in this product.
- MAXIMUM FUNCTIONALITY. This unique gooseneck hitch is a 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter. It is designed to drop into existing 5th wheel base rails in your truck bed and enable gooseneck towing
Conclusion
And that would be most of the stuff you need to know about 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter. Fairly easy to understand, right? With this adapter, you don’t have to replace your 5th wheel hitch to a gooseneck one so you can tow gooseneck trailer. Require only 15 – 30 minutes to install or remove, the adapter is a quick and cost-effective solution to when you need to tow something. You can also get a suitable adapter to your truck too if you follow the instructions above. No matter if it’s gooseneck or 5th wheel, you can easily tow trailers with either of the hitches.
Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
