Is a Gooseneck or Fifth Wheel Towing Setup Smoother Riding
Published 08/09/2016
Question:
I have seen many times that 5th wheel folks say that the 5th wheel has a better ride than a goose neck. I have both and pull them long distance regularly and the gooses neck is always a large farm trailer loaded with live stock or equipment. So it is heavy. I would like to know as to why you say the 5th wheel has a better ride? the 5th wheel has to pivot at the receiver, as where the gooses neck pivots at the tongue. The only difference in my 30 years experience is the connecting and disconnecting. And I would like to debate that with anyone but as far as ride I have seen some of the older 5th wheels that only had the one axis tilt and they were rough at times. but if they have both axis tilt there is no difference. And other than just dragging both type of trailers around for 30 years I am also a PE Mechanical and Structural Engineer that holds patterns in the Oil and Gas industry and in the Agriculrural.
asked by: James G
Expert Reply:
I don't agree with a fifth wheel setup being smoother riding than a gooseneck unless you start using cushioned pin boxes/hitches. Fifth wheel setups have a lot more areas for movement so they can "chuck" much easier.
There are advantages to both setups but the biggest difference between the two is that for short bed trucks there are slider hitches that can be used with fifth wheel setups to give clearance but for goosenecks there isn't that option. However, since goosenecks trailers don't have a wide nose this isn't always a problem.
If all things are equal I prefer a gooseneck setup to a fifth wheel because there is fewer moving parts and it's an easier hook-up/disconnect.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter - 12" to 16" Tall - 20,000 lbs
- 5th Wheel Gooseneck Adapter
- Adapts Trailer
- 5th Wheel Trailer to Gooseneck Hitch
- No Extra Clearance
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Bolts Over King Pin
- Shock Absorbing
- Convert-A-Ball
more information >
Continue Researching
- Search Results: 5th wheel landing gear
- Search Results: trailer ramps
- Article: How to Tell the Weight Rating of a Trailer Axle
- Q&A: How To Tow a 5th Wheel Trailer Using a Truck with CM Flat-Bed and Recessed Gooseneck
- Q&A: 5TH Wheel Hitch/Adapter For CM Truck Beds Flatbed On a 2016 Ram 3500
- Shop: B&W Companion Flatbed Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 25,000 lbs
- Shop: B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Flatbed Trucks - 30,000 lbs
- Shop: Demco Recon Gooseneck-to-5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter for Recessed Ball - Single Jaw - 21,000 lbs
- Shop: Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter
- Shop: Voyager WiSight 2.0 Wireless Backup Camera System w Night Vision for Prewired RVs - 4.3" Screen
- Shop: Furrion Vision S Wireless RV Backup Camera System w/ 3 Cameras - 5" Screen
- Shop: Rear View Safety Backup Camera System - 4 Camera Setup - Quad View Monitor
- Video: Review of Voyager RV Camera System - Prewired Backup Camera - ASA24YR
- Video: Review of Curt Fifth Wheel Hitch - Replacement Front Anchors - C68UR
- Video: Detailed Breakdown of the Lube Plate for Blue Ox 5th Wheel Hitches
- Video: What to Know About the Buyers Products 24" Fifth Wheel Lube Disks with Steel Retention Clip
- Video: All You Need to Know About the Signature Series Replacement Foot Assembly Kit
- Video: Feature Breakdown: Lube Plate for Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Article: Parts Needed to Add Hydraulic Disc Brakes to a Trailer
- Video: An In-Depth Look at the Bulldog Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Coupler Adapter
- Article: Best 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Adapters (2023)
- Article: Adapters for Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer with a Gooseneck Hitch
- Article: Gooseneck to 5th Wheel Adapters
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
- Q&A: Is Shocker Hitch 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Pin Box Safe to Use With Recessed Gooseneck Ball
- Q&A: Recommened 5th Wheel Hitch for a Flat Bed Truck w/ a Recessed Well
- Q&A: Does the Shocker 5th Wheel to Gooseneck & Demco Lock Coupler Have Offset?
- Q&A: Is There Air Bag Kit that Fits 2016 GMC Sierra with Curt Gooseneck Hitch
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Q&A: What Is An OEM Prep Package And How Do I Know If I Have It
on 5th Wheel Gooseneck Adapter
