Which Gooseneck Adapter, Andersen Ranch Hitch, Colibert, Or Convert-A-Ball for a Recessed Gooseneck

Updated 06/17/2011 | Published 06/15/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter - 12" to 16" Tall - 20,000 lbs

(997)

$568.79

Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter

(227)

$599.98

Question:

I have been looking at the specs for these two adapters. Here is my situation I have a 1 ton truck with a Hillsboro aluminum flat bed, it has a trap door with a gooseneck ball below. I do NOT have a 5th wheel trailer, but various friends and relatives do, so I get asked to move their trailers around. The Convert-A-Ball adapter seems to be the only one that does NOT require any drilling of the 5th wheel box - this is a plus from the trailer owners point of view. Against this it has the lowest vertical load rating. The Andersen Ranch seems to have the smallest outline for fitting down into the trap door of my truck bed. Against this it seems to take a LOT of force to install or remove once on. The trap door in my truck bed has only 4 inches of clearance in front of the ball a little over 5 inches to the ball center does this rule out any of the above adapters ? I really want to AVOID drilling other peoples trailer if at all possible, but I have a concern that the Convert-A-ball unit may not fit the trap door cavity of the truck bed. How risky would it be to use the Andersen Ranch adapter without drilling for the 4 bolts - assuming very short trips, i.e. little to no risk of loosening due to road vibration.

asked by: Reg B

Expert Reply:

The Convert-A-Ball Multi-Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapters are going to be your best choice if they will work with the recessed gooseneck hitch on your Hillsboro flat bed.

I took some measurements and found that the coupler is overall 7 inches wide at the base where it sets on the hitch ball. From the front of the housing where the handle is located to the center of the hitch ball the measurement is 5 inches and then 2 inches to the back side of the coupler from the center of the hitch ball. Going the other way the overall width is 5 inches which is 3 inches from center to the front of the coupler, where the safety chains attach and 2 inches from the center on the other side. It looks like these couplers will work for your application with a little room to spare.

I added a video demonstration of one of the Convert-A-Ball adapter, # CAB-C5G, for you to review. The coupler I chose would, I believe, be the best one for your situation. It is adjustable from 12 to 16 inches, so fitting it to various trailers will be a snap and you will be able to level it easily for the best towing setup.

You are correct about the Ranch Hitch, # AM3100, requiring a lot of force to remove and install, along with the fact that it needs to be bolted to the trailer pin box.

expert reply by: Robert G