I am considering buying a 5th wheel and using a gooseneck adaptor so I can use my B&W already on the truck. Will a nine inch offset give me enough clearance? Also is there any worries on hauling this way?

 

dadsrig: You really are not giving enough information. What yr. & kind of truck? Bed size? Now I will give you the pro's & con's of using adaptor.
Some manufacture say these will damage frame on 5th wheel. Here is a easy way for you to make up your mind. #1. raise ur left arm chest high, take your index finger & point it straight down, keep it as stiff as possible. Now with right hand, take index finger & pull on left index finger. Considering your hand is the frame, you will now consider what some claim will apply force to the frame. Now with that said, I use a adaptor. I light foot the throttle so no excess force is applied when taking off. I used one for three years pulling a friends 5er to his lake property, but now I have my own 38 ft 5er and plan on doing the same with mine.
Happy Truck'n

 

I would consider purchasing the B&W companion. Using a gooseneck attachment on a 5ver will put alot of stress on the frame of the camper as well as possibly voiding the warranty on the camper. The ride will greatly improve if you use a "true" fifth wheel hitch.

 

Sorry, I will be pulling with an 05 Dodge Ram 2500 QC short box. The camper is older, so I am not worried about warranty issues there. But I am very consirned about cab clearance.

 

Hi again: My point of veiw as far as riding. I see no difference as far as the ride goes 5th wheel vs goosneck adaptor. My point, is this, with a 5th wheel, (unless you purchase high dollar one) piviots only 180 degrees. Any 90 degree side load ie going in or out of steep driveways or inclines, the stress is put on the pinbox which is attatched to frame of 5th wheel as well as frame and springs of truck. The gooseneck sits on a ball, it will articulate in any direction 360 degree's allowing the truck or trailer to have no bind. Please except this information to make up your own mind.
I forgot to ask in first posting, do you know whether pin box is extended, or is it under the trailor. This would make a difference as to which adaptor you would want to order.
Happy Truck'n

 

The box is under the trailer. So I am assuming that I would need to order 9 inch offset?

 

Yes you will need the 9 incher offset. But before you invest, since you have a short 6' box, have someone with you and back under the trailer, use a 9" stick or tubing. Have the person flag you when to stop when you are over the ball. Measure your distance from cab to front of trailer overhang. Sad news is you might have to buy a new extended pin box also, or the expensive route of a slidiing 5th wheel. Big bucks on that one. My pin box is 11" and I have plenty of room using the straight down version. I run a 14" tall, I can leave the crossbed tool box on with plenty of clearence. I also have no problem with a jack knifing while backing into a tight spot. Hope this has been a help to you.
Happy Truck'n

 

I pull trailors for a living TT, Fver, G/N and I would rather pull a Fver anyday down the highway. If you plan on taking your camper off the beaten path I would use the G/N adaptor. G/N are designed to have more play front -aft and side-side hence the reason we use them in fields on the farm. If its a older camper by all means use buy the cheapest one. However I purchased my B&W companion for less than $300 used on ebay. And yes the plate gives from left to right 20%

 

If you choose to use a G/N adaptor B&W offers a set back ball for shoter beds.

 

Everyone's setup is a little different, but here's what happened with my Dad's switchover to a gooseneck hitch on his 30' 5th wheel.
He went through a long process to have a good one made custom with the exact adjustment setup and everything. He wanted it for the same reasons as stated here---more freedom of movement with less binding. His trailer sits at the same angle as the bed of the truck, so there is as much clearance as possible. On the first trip out, he got hung up trying to get in and out of three different gas stations because the trailer had TOO MUCH freedom to rotate and the commom abrupt change in grade going in and out of places would cause the trailer to contact the bed rails. All that work for nothing because he took it off immediately and bought a decent fifth wheel hitch for the bed that has a rotating fifth wheel. It will still limit excessive rotation when he gets into a bad spot to keep the trailer from contacting the bed rails.