Adapters for Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer with a Gooseneck Hitch

If you would like to tow a fifth-wheel trailer but you have gooseneck trailer hitch in your truck, you can choose from among several kinds of adapters that may help you. Some of these adapters attach to your gooseneck ball or use the ball hole of your gooseneck hitch, allowing you to hook up your fifth-wheel trailer without having to modify it. Other adapters mount to the trailer, allowing you to attach it directly to the gooseneck ball in your truck. Which option you choose depends on your particular circumstances.

Read more about the reverse situation here: Adapting a Gooseneck Trailer to a 5th-Wheel Hitch .

Watch Review Video of Gooseneck & 5th-Wheel Adapters

Truck with gooseneck ball backed up to trailer

You can choose from among these four types of adapters:

1. 5th-wheel adapter that replaces the trailer pin box

Most secure option
Doesn't cause additional stress in either the trailer frame or hitch
Creates more of a permanent solution
Leaves your truck bed open for other uses
Made to fit specific pin boxes

These adapter types are made to fit specific pin boxes, so you'll have to check the plate or sticker on yours to determine which make and model you have (ex: Lippert 1621). Because this adapter replaces the king pin on your trailer, you won't need to measure for height.

Reese Goose Box 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Air Ride Coupler Adapter

2. Another excellent option is a 5th-wheel adapter that installs in the ball hole of the gooseneck hitch

Doesn't require modification of trailer
Provides a good solution for frequent switching between trailer types
Great solution if you have to tow multiple trailer types with the same vehicle
Fifth-wheel hitch is easily removed when you need to haul cargo in the truck bed

Hi-Rise Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter by Bulldog, Draw-Tite and Reese

3. Adapters that Attach to a Gooseneck Ball in the Truck Bed

Attaches to underbed gooseneck ball in the truck bed
Hitch height is adjustable
One of the lightest hitch options available

These adapters mount to the gooseneck ball in your truck bed. The higher attachment point between the trailer and the hitch relieves stress on the trailer's frame and pin box.

Demco Recon Gooseneck-to-5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter

4. Adapters that Attach to the Fifth-Wheel Trailer King Plate

The pin box and king pin DO NOT have to be removed
Adapters can be heavy - an extra set of hands will help with installation
Not all trailers can use this type of adapter - confirm with the trailer manufacturer
Some manufacturers recommend that their adapters not be used with pin boxes over a certain length (always check for maximum recommended pin box length)
Works well as a temporary solution
Can cause stress in the trailer frame and hitch

This type of fifth-wheel-to-gooseneck adapter is a tube that mounts around the fifth-wheel trailer king pin at one end and attaches to the gooseneck ball in the back of the truck at the other.

Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter

Offset Adapters for Increased Clearance

An adapter with an offset can give you a little extra clearance between the fifth-wheel-trailer overhang and the back of the truck cab. It can also create more clearance between the trailer and the back of the truck. Although the offset adapters will provide additional clearance, a sliding fifth wheel hitch or a fixed fifth wheel hitch and a sidewinder pin box will be required to safely execute a 90-degree turn on short bed trucks.

Cushioned Adapters by Convert-A-Ball

A cushioned adapter features polyurethane cushioning that absorbs the movement and jarring of the trailer, reducing bouncing and vibrations to give you a safer, smoother, and quieter ride.

Cushioned 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Adapter by Convert-a-Ball

Determining the Correct Height for Your Adapter

Adapters that fit around the king pin and attach to the king pin plate have to be the correct height so that you can tow the trailer level. Getting an adapter of the correct height is important for safe towing. Some adapters are height adjustable and others have a fixed height. The shortest available adapter is the Ranch Hitch adapter at 11-3/4". The tallest is the cushioned gooseneck adapter at 16". There is an easy way to determine what height you need for your truck-and-trailer combination.

Measuring Your Truck and Trailer

Back your truck into position as if you were hooking up your fifth-wheel trailer, making sure that the truck and trailer are level
Measure from the king pin plate down to the top of the ball in the bed of your truck
The measurement you get is the height of the adapter you will need

Also, five or six inches of clearance between the overhang of the trailer and side rails of your truck is necessary for safe operation.

Measuring diagram for gooseneck to 5th-wheel adapter

Updated on: 3/2/2021

Old T.

5/17/2023

I have a 2016 RAM 3500 with a cylindrical (or round) mount for a goose neck ball (OEM) Is there an adapter to use that kind of mounting system with a 5th wheel hitch? B&W companion needs a square mounting hole.

Cruizenlife

4/28/2023

I have a B&W gooseneck hook up in my 2011Ford F150 can I get an adapter to tow a 5th wheel trailer?

Jim

2/6/2022

I bought a 2022 2500 Duramax regular bed Diesel it came with fifth wheel package.. I just bought a trailer and the person gave me the fifth wheel hitch. It's a B&W Model 3300 25,900 trailer weight and 6,250 tongue weight. Can you tell me what I need to be able hook it up to my Duramax or if it will work. Never used or towed with a fifth wheel.. Thanks for any help.

Les D.

2/7/2022

When you say it came with "fifth wheel package" do you mean it has puck system? This will have 5 holes in the bed for quick install and removal of some fifth wheel hitches. There are quite a few parts numbered 3300 in the B&W line. Did you friend have it on a Chevy? Can you tell me some more about the base of the hitch? Maybe a pic?

Jim

2/7/2022

@LesD

Jim

2/7/2022

@LesD Yes my truck has a five hole system. I can tell you on the hitch it says Husky 26K. If you can send me your email I can send a pic or 2 on the hitch. I am looking to buy the part that will fit the 5 hole system. I cant figure out how to add a pic in here. The base of the hitch has 2 bars around 2 ft long which has notches in it. This bar has notches where the hitch attaches to it. I definitely need the part or bracket that attaches to the 5 holes in the bed. I am hoping I would be able to attach the hitch to the new bracket. Trying not to have to buy a new hitch...The previous owner had the hitch pinned with clips to the bars and the bars where bolted to the bed of his truck. He had an older Chevy. I really appreciate your time and getting back with me. Thank you Jim

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Tanya

1/27/2022

I bought a newmar 5th wheel 35 foot has a custom hitch , need to know what type hitch I need, the guy I bought Rv from had a slide hitch punted up 6-12 in higher than bed on a custom made box that goose hitch was mounted on , some issue with his truck bed wasn’t steady enough for the weight of Rv so has custom hitch made looks like a pipe was welded to the outer hitch on goose neck then hooks to the goose nec hitch in pickup , not sure how it worked but he said had it especially for this Rv , he had Chevy 2500 2010 single cab , not really heavy enough for weight of Rv , but he said it pulled it fine after getting going . So I’m getting hd2500 Chevy with 6 in lift it taller than my hitch so what do you suggest without having to change it all to make it work , don’t haul it unless I move locations of need to travel for several weeks , Need a cheap solution

Les D.

1/31/2022

@Tanya I would not use anything that is "custom" made." I am initially concerned about towing with a truck with a lift kit as many times that causes clearance issues. What trailer Newmar, model, and year is your trailer? Has it had any thing custom done to the trailer suspension? What year is your Chevy 2500? What length bed? Guessing since pervious owner had a slider it was not 8 foot. What pin box is on the trailer? What brand, model and bolt pattern. This will be expressed as a four digit number on the pin box.

Robert M.

1/2/2022

I am purchasing a 2022 Toyota Tundra and would like to know what model underbed gooseneck hitch will fit. I currently have one in my 2011 tundra but can't seem to find one for the new Toyota. Please help!!!!!!!

Les D.

1/3/2022

The suppliers have not made hitches of any kind for the '22 Tundra yet. Check back with me in a few months.

Mark W.

2/3/2022

@RobertM it's a Tundra, that's NOT enough truck to worry about pissing away money on a gooseneck or 5th wheel, you don't have enough ass in a Toyota to control or stop what you're trying to pull. Just because you can get the weight moving dosen't mean you have the means to control it and if your asking questions that says you shouldn't be trying to even own or purchase anything larger than a pop up camper, that's a good area to start with!

Les D.

2/4/2022

@RobertM I suggest that you review your owners manual, and then look at the stickers in the drivers door jamb to learn exactly how many pounds you can tow. Please carefully work out the math, and then plan at least 20% cushion. The Tundra's towing capacity will be 8,000 to 12,000 pounds depending on how it is equipped. I have attached a document called, "How Much Trailer Can I really Tow?" I suggest you fully understand this before making any purchases. You also need to look at cargo capacity. A fifth wheel trailer can drop a lot of weight into your truck bed.

Helpful Links

faq-how-much-trailer-can-i-tow.aspx

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