Converting a 5th Wheel back from a Goose Neck hitch to the standard?
Bull Rhino said
08:34 PM Mar 23, 2014
Have been looking at getting a newer used 5th Wheel and as I look through the classifieds a couple of the tempting ones have been converted to goose neck hitches, but I've got the standard 5th Wheel Hitch in my truck. How hard is it to convert back to the standard hitch if I decide I like one of these after I look at it up close and personal?
I love this forum there are always such great answers from helpful RVers.
Scott
BugSplatter07 said
09:06 PM Mar 23, 2014
The biggest thing to look for is if the conversion has been welded to the trailer. If it has look to see if you can replace the hitch completely. The hitch is the same as a frame on any vehicle, they should not be welded on. Most of the time the conversion kit attaches by two machined halves that clamp around the king pin by two large bolts.
Workinrvers said
03:15 AM Mar 24, 2014
even if it is welded on, like bugsplatter noted, it is not that big an issue to replace it with an after market one from Moryde, Trailair, 5th Airborne etc. but there would be the extra costs involved.
Ideally it is one of the bolt on type and these are fairly easy to remove and you are back in business.
DRV said
04:37 PM Mar 24, 2014
You can also convert your truck bed to tow with both hitches (5th wheel and good neck). I have the B&W companion hitch. It is quick to switch between hitches. There is a picture in a recent thread located at:
I see a number of those gooseneck adapters around us here because we are close to the race track in Oklahoma City and a lot of folks with the racing are around us. The biggest thing I have with the adapters is that the "extension" with the adapter may be putting extra stresses on the framework of the RV from the pinbox back to the riser area of the nose of the trailer.
Since I've seen a number of those around us, they are done because the owners also need to tow their horse trailers as well as the RV, and I wonder how well they are handling the RV's to avoid stresses. That said, it might be something to consider if you are looking at a trailer with that kind of adapter. I just don't think I would ever want to pull a trailer, especially a heavy one, with the adapter.
Have been looking at getting a newer used 5th Wheel and as I look through the classifieds a couple of the tempting ones have been converted to goose neck hitches, but I've got the standard 5th Wheel Hitch in my truck. How hard is it to convert back to the standard hitch if I decide I like one of these after I look at it up close and personal?
I love this forum there are always such great answers from helpful RVers.
Scott
Ideally it is one of the bolt on type and these are fairly easy to remove and you are back in business.
You can also convert your truck bed to tow with both hitches (5th wheel and good neck). I have the B&W companion hitch. It is quick to switch between hitches. There is a picture in a recent thread located at:
http://www.rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t57106497/getting-educated/
Scott,
I see a number of those gooseneck adapters around us here because we are close to the race track in Oklahoma City and a lot of folks with the racing are around us. The biggest thing I have with the adapters is that the "extension" with the adapter may be putting extra stresses on the framework of the RV from the pinbox back to the riser area of the nose of the trailer.
Since I've seen a number of those around us, they are done because the owners also need to tow their horse trailers as well as the RV, and I wonder how well they are handling the RV's to avoid stresses. That said, it might be something to consider if you are looking at a trailer with that kind of adapter. I just don't think I would ever want to pull a trailer, especially a heavy one, with the adapter.
Terry