Comparing the Ranch Hitch Gooseneck Adapter and the Draw Tite Hi-Rise Adapter

Updated 05/13/2016 | Published 05/11/2016

Question:

I have placed an order yesterday for the Ranch hand 8 in offset gooseneck hitch for a fifth wheel camper that is 9300Lbs fully loaded, i have a since spoke to friend who told me about the fiffth wheel adapter 9480 that goes right in the mount of the truck where the gooseneck ball is inserted and can be taken out just as easy as insrting, i have whatched the vidieo and it apears that it whould work great. So the question is will i be ok with the gooseneck ranch hand or should i go with the fifthwheel adapter 9480? What advise could you give me Thanks

asked by: Keith C

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Ranch Hitch part # AM3139 is a great solution for towing a fifth wheel trailer with a truck that has a gooseneck hitch. The advantage to this over the Hi Rise part # 9480 is that the gooseneck hitch in the truck does not matter. As long as there is a 2-5/16 inch ball in the bed of the truck this adapter will fit it.

The Hi Rise has a more specific fit. It can only fit B&W Turnover Ball, Hide-A-Goose by Draw Tite or Reese, or Under-Bed by Bulldog. If you had one of these hitches this would work, otherwise the Ranch hitch would be the better option.

The other big advantage to the Hi Rise is that some trailer frame manufacturers advise strongly against using adapters like the Ranch Hitch as they put additional strain on the trailer frame. With the Hi Rise you end up with a fifth wheel hitch in the bed of the truck so there would be nothing to worry about. BUT because you end up with a fifth wheel hitch you would have to lift the heavy thing out of the truck bed if you ever wanted have an empty truck bed.

The Ranch Hitch doesn't leave anything in the bed of the truck at all so that is a big advantage.

expert reply by: Jameson C