I had to relocate the axles on my 5th wheel under the leaf springs on the 5th due to the height of my truck. The only other option was to lower the rear of the truck and I didn't want to do that. The 5th wheel hitch is adjustable and you can get an extended pin on your 5th wheel but with the Dodge being so high, many times the only way to get the trailer to ride level is to "flip" the axles.

 

[quote author=Srigs link=board=11;threadid=17228;start=0#162581 date=1058845553]<br>Hoss,<br><br>Gooseneck hitch is rated for 25k to 30k towing capability vs 16k for a 5er. The hitch is bolted onto the frame much stronger on the truck and under the bed. Mine is 1/2 inch plate all arround with 1/2 inch thick by 2 inch angle iron bolted together with Grade 8 1/2 bolts. A fiver connection on a trailer is much cheaper then a gooseneck because of how they need to be made and easier for people to hookup thats why semi's are made with a 5er type connection.<br><br>I have pulled both and like my gooseneck much better with much more adjustability in height of the trailer nose upto 12 inches.<br><br>https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...9&amp;pid=1077<br><br>Another plus is more room to stow things when hooked up and a flat load floor if you have a popup or turn over type. My 2c<br>[/quote]<br><br>The main differnece in ratings you refer to are due to size of pin mostly. The 5'er hitches on the RV trailers are a 2&quot; kingpin, while the goosenecks use a 2 5/8&quot; ball ( the main reason for the difference). If the RV makers would use the larger kingpin sizes of the big rigs, then the hitches for them could be rated higher than the G/N's. This is why the big rigs are using 5th wheels - the larger kingpins will handle the weight, the 5th wheel itself gives a wider weight distribution platform, and it is easier to hook up to.

 

I agree with Grandpa. I think you can get 5th wheel hitches rated for 30,000#'s and maybe more. And as he pointed out, it is just like the big rigs, just smaller. My draw-tite hitch is rated for 16k but the &quot;rails&quot; are rated much higher. I know you can get a g/n adapter rated for 25K and I think the 30k fifth hitch uses the same rails and brackets at the 16k. Not for sure, just what I think I remember reading.<br><br>Also, even though I like my friends 6.0 PSD quite a bit, cat fan asked: If that new PowerStroke was in an airplane, would you fly in it?&quot; <br><br>Nope!

 

[quote author=trailblazenyj link=board=11;threadid=17228;start=15#162797 date=1058901231]<br>I agree with Grandpa. I think you can get 5th wheel hitches rated for 30,000#'s and maybe more. And as he pointed out, it is just like the big rigs, just smaller. My draw-tite hitch is rated for 16k but the &quot;rails&quot; are rated much higher. I know you can get a g/n adapter rated for 25K and I think the 30k fifth hitch uses the same rails and brackets at the 16k. Not for sure, just what I think I remember reading.<br><br>Also, even though I like my friends 6.0 PSD quite a bit, cat fan asked: If that new PowerStroke was in an airplane, would you fly in it?&quot; <br><br>Nope! <br>[/quote]<br><br>You are correct. My rails accept the G/N ball plate with the 2 5/8 &quot; ball on it, which is rated at 30K. Heavier rated 5er hitches are available - I've seen up to 20K at the RV shops. They could go higher if the kingpins on the RV were bigger.<br><br>

 

Check out this at the Reese site. Goosey/fiver in one hitch and a fiver at 33K. <br><br>http://www.reesehitch.com/fifthwheel.html

 

I think if I were buying right now I'd go this route....<br><br>B&amp;W Turnover Ball with the Fifth Wheel &quot;Companion&quot;.<br><br><br><br>

 

[quote author=Hoss link=board=11;threadid=17228;start=15#162839 date=1058911036]
I think if I were buying right now I'd go this route....

B&amp;W Turnover Ball with the Fifth Wheel &quot;Companion&quot;.

[/quote]

I completely agree - it's the best of both worlds. No rails to deal with when you take the 5-er out either. In fact, I have a model 1394R sitting in the garage waiting to install, I just haven't got around to it yet... :

One note - I believe the 5-er is only rated at 18k, but the goosneck is rated at 30k with the regular ball, or 20k with the high-rise ball...

HTH
-joel

 

[quote author=GrandpasRam link=board=11;threadid=17228;start=15#162726 date=1058888984]<br>The main differnece in ratings you refer to are due to size of pin mostly. The 5'er hitches on the RV trailers are a 2&quot; kingpin, while the goosenecks use a 2 5/8&quot; ball ( the main reason for the difference). If the RV makers would use the larger kingpin sizes of the big rigs, then the hitches for them could be rated higher than the G/N's. This is why the big rigs are using 5th wheels - the larger kingpins will handle the weight, the 5th wheel itself gives a wider weight distribution platform, and it is easier to hook up to. <br>[/quote]<br><br>Just curious, ??? <br> But I thought the 2&quot; kingpins on a 5er were the same diameter size as the kingpins on &quot;Big Rig&quot; trailers? I'm not saying that they can carry as much weight, just that the kingpin itself is the same 2&quot; diameter. I guess I could measure one of the trailers at work when I go in tonight.<br> On the subject of bumper pull versus fifth-wheel, I'll have to go with the 5er. I've pulled both types (however, I was not using a anti-sway type hitch on the 20' TT). My Dad switched from a 26' TT (that did have the anti-sway equipment) to a 30' 5er and we both agree that the 5er is much nicer to pull. ;D Just my $.02

 

Just had the B&amp;W Turnover Ball and Companion installed 2 weeks ago. Very nice install, the only holes that need to be drilled are in the bed. Every thing else bolts to the frame.<br><br>My '97 31' Winderness 5er (10,000 gross) pulls real nice. If it wasn't for these fine roads I wouldn't know it was back there.<br><br>And yes, the companion is rated at 18K and the goose neck is rated at 30K.<br><br>

 

If I were starting new I would also do the b &amp; w. But we had rails and a hitch and a desire to keep money in our wallet so we stuck with our existing hitch.

 

[quote author=RATTLINRAM link=board=11;threadid=17228;start=15#163222 date=1058984534]<br>[quote author=GrandpasRam link=board=11;threadid=17228;start=15#162726 date=1058888984]<br>The main differnece in ratings you refer to are due to size of pin mostly. The 5'er hitches on the RV trailers are a 2&quot; kingpin, while the goosenecks use a 2 5/8&quot; ball ( the main reason for the difference). If the RV makers would use the larger kingpin sizes of the big rigs, then the hitches for them could be rated higher than the G/N's. This is why the big rigs are using 5th wheels - the larger kingpins will handle the weight, the 5th wheel itself gives a wider weight distribution platform, and it is easier to hook up to. <br>[/quote]<br><br>Just curious, ??? <br> But I thought the 2&quot; kingpins on a 5er were the same diameter size as the kingpins on &quot;Big Rig&quot; trailers? I'm not saying that they can carry as much weight, just that the kingpin itself is the same 2&quot; diameter. I guess I could measure one of the trailers at work when I go in tonight.<br> On the subject of bumper pull versus fifth-wheel, I'll have to go with the 5er. I've pulled both types (however, I was not using a anti-sway type hitch on the 20' TT). My Dad switched from a 26' TT (that did have the anti-sway equipment) to a 30' 5er and we both agree that the 5er is much nicer to pull. ;D Just my $.02<br>[/quote]<br><br>Let us know what you find as a measurement; I thought the &quot;big rig&quot; kingpins were 3&quot;. As for the TT vs. the 5er, my first TT was with equalizer hitch sway control, and the 5er feels a LOT more stable in the wind.

 

The &quot;kingpin&quot; size on the RV 5th wheel trailers is not what limits the weight towed, the &quot;pin box&quot; is the weak link along with the stress on the actual frame assembly. All my &quot;goosenecks&quot; come with 2 5/16 ***** and are changed to a 5th wheel upper fifth and 18&quot; plate to match my Holland 6200 26K commercial 5th wheel. This set up spreads the pin weight over 18&quot; instead if all the weight on the very top of a 2 5/16 ball (approx. 3/4&quot. Commercial fifth wheel units are designed for ease of hook up and release but the jaw systems are built to be adjusted for wear and prevent accidental releases. RV trailers use the body of the RV to strengthen the frame assembly, 5th wheel trailers are built like semi's able to withstand concentrated loads measured in LBS/FT of deck. Gooseneck ball hitches offer slightly more offroad versatility in theory but oilfield big rigs and hotshot use a standard kingpin/5th wheel set ups without double pivots and no excessive binding. Binkly (Holland) 32K 12&quot; are half as much money as RV 16K fifth wheels and withstand 10 times the abuse. Most people opt for &quot;ball goosenecks&quot; because they are cheap to buy (farmers hitch) but the trailers stability relies on the trailer running gear (wheels, tires, springs, and frame). The smallest point on a king pin is in the groove for the jaw but where it is mounted to the trailer is of the larger diameter, gooseneck ***** weak point is the shank which is where the nut screws on 3/4&quot;-1 1/2&quot; vs 2 1/2-3&quot; on kingpin. PK

 

Wow....