Hi all,

First the background: We've got a 2005 Ram 2500 SB Extended cab - had it for a couple months now. We haul anywhere from 4-6000 lbs of cargo two times/month to do deliveries to retail stores. There's a fair amount of downtown driving and tight areas to get around and we usually do close to 2000 kms each trip (4000kms/month). Up to now we've been towing a 24' tag but we're exceeding our payload capacity and have to upgrade to a larger trailer.

The truck came with a nice hijacker fifth-wheel super slide hitch pictured here: http://www.hijacker.com/pages/fifthw.../24-ULS-16.htm We've decided that a gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer is the way to go so we're purchasing a 34' gooseneck cargo trailer on Saturday. Now here's where the questions start:

Since we already have a nice and expensive fifth-wheel hitch installed in the truck, would it be more cost effective to simply get a gooseneck to fifth-wheel coupler like the one at the bottom of the page here: http://www.hitchcorner.com/fifth-wheel-hitch.htm and utilize our current hitch? Keep in mind - we have a short bed.
Would it be safer to actually get rid of the fifth-wheel and install a gooseneck hitch? We won't be towing anything else besides the gooseneck trailer at this point in time (no fifth-wheel camper, etc)

I've been scouring the forums here for the last couple days and have found countless information here - but we're running out of time now... We have lots of experience towing tag trailers but never a GN/5ver so any hints, tips, tricks would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

 

I would just get a 5th wheel hitch trailer instead of the 2 5/16 ball gooseneck. Many manufacturers make their gooseneck trailers for the 2 5/16 ball or a 5ver pin. This way you can keep your hitch and save your money.

 

Thanks for the tip, but the trailer we're buying is a previously enjoyed one :-) so there's no option to get it with the 5th wheel hitch. We've looked high & low to find a fifth-wheel cargo within our budget and they are next to impossible to find short of having one built to specs so unfortunately, that's not an option at this point - it's either get a coupler or install a gooseneck hitch - and I'm just not sure what is the better route.

 

I believe you can get a gooseneck adapter to mount to the rails in your bed. I've used the Reese for several years and had no problems. Looks like this:

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-GNH~6002.htm

 

The gooseneck adapter you linked me to will not work with the hijacker rails in my truck, unfortunately. Seems my "great" fifth-wheel hitch isn't so great after all!!

 

Your fifth wheel hitch IS great after all. You don't want a short bed hauling a trailer that is attached in the bed unless it is a highly tapered front, not square unless you have a slider hitch. You will live to regret it. Try to configure the trailer to your existing hitch.

Bob

 

Here's the trailer that we're getting - the front is tapered, but I don't know if it would be considered greatly...

 

Putnam used to make an excellent gooseneck to fifth wheel converter, but I don't think they exist anymore. If you need a good slider fifth wheel let me know.

 

If it were mine , I would use the adapter you linked to at the bottom of the page. Tapered corners will help but if all else fails , Use the slider feature that you have.

 

Thanks for the advice! I think we're going to try the coupler option and keep our slider hitch. I just have to be able to find one in the next 24 hours! ha!

 

You would have to measure to know for sure, but I think that trailer's corners are cropped enough that you won't have any issues.

I'd either use the adapter in the link you provided, or weld one up.

 

The item at teh bottom of the page is not and "adapter", it's a coupler, you will have to remove your existing gooseneck coupler and replace with the one pictured (but with square tubing).
Usually most of newer trailer have a replaceable coupler, just unbolt it and slide the new one in place.
5th wheel hitch will give less trailer twist than gooseneck, but you will have the hitch taking a lot of room in your bed.