How to Measure for a 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Trailer Hitch Adapter

Updated 03/13/2015 | Published 03/12/2015

Question:

The question I have is this...I have a 2006 FX4 Ford F350 with a gooseneck ball in the bed. I recently purchased an OPEN RANGE 29RLS LITE series 5th wheel camper. I want to use the CAB-C5G adjustable adapter. The truck is stock ride height. Will this adapter fit. I know it is adjustable. Thanks in advance

asked by: Jim

Expert Reply:

If your truck is still at the stock ride height, then there is a good chance that the Convert-A-Ball Cushioned Adapter, # CAB-C5G, will work. To be absolutely certain, I recommend measuring from the top of your gooseneck ball to the bottom of the king pin plate on your trailer with your truck and trailer on level ground (see photo). This dimension must be between 12 and 16 inches for the Convert-A-Ball adapter to work. You will also want to make sure that you have 5 to 6 inches of clearance from the top of your bed rails to the underside of the trailer overhang (see photo).

If you do not have the truck and trailer together, then you can also measure to get the hitch ball height and the coupler height. Measure from the ground to the top of your gooseneck ball. Next, measure from the ground to the bottom of the king pin plate on your trailer. You can use the difference between those measurements to determine if this adapter will work.

Unfortunately we do not have the ability to test our adapters with every truck and trailer combination and most trailer manufacturers do not make the coupler height of their trailers an easily accessible spec. Also, we would not be able to tell how far the king pin hangs below the trailer overhang on any given trailer without having the trailer to measure. Measuring is the best way to ensure compatibility, especially if you have access to the truck and trailer.

I have attached a link to our help article on fifth-wheel-to-gooseneck hitch adapters and a link to all of the adapters that we offer for you to check out.

expert reply by: John H