Would Using an Offset Convert-a-Ball 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter Give Clearance to Make 90 Turn

Published 12/08/2011

Question:

I have a 06 Dodge ram 2500 short.bed and I want to know if I buy the adapter with offset, can I feel confident to do tight turns like a 90 degree turn?

asked by: Andres

Expert Reply:

The offset gooseneck coupler adapters like part # CAB-C5GX1216 is designed to provide additional clearance between the fifth wheel trailer and the back of your truck bed. This item does not provide clearance to safely execute a 90 degree turn since the actual pivot point does not change.

If you were interested in an item that will allow you to make 90 degree turns without hitting your truck cab, then I would recommend looking into either a sliding fifth wheel hitch or a fixed fifth wheel hitch and a sidewinder pin box.

To determine if you will need a sidewinder or a sliding hitch to safely make 90 degree turns you will need to take some measurements of your trailer and truck and then plug those numbers into a formula to determine if you have enough clearance to make a 90 degree turn.

The first measurement you will need to take is the distance from the center of your gooseneck ball to the truck cab. You will need to take into consideration the relation of your kingpin to the nose of your trailer. If your king pin is extended beyond the front of the nose of your trailer then you will need to take this measurement and add it in. Conversely, if the nose of your trailer hangs over the kingpin of your trailer you will need to subtract this number from the distance from your trailer to your truck cab. This measurement will be represented by the letter A.

The next measurement is the extension length of the sidewinder or sliding hitch. This measurement is 22 inches for a sidewinder pin box or 10 inches for a sliding fifth wheel hitch and will be represented by the letter B.

The final measurement needed is the width of the nose of your trailer divided by 2, letter C.

Once you have those measurements plug them into this formula.

(A + B) - C = Clearance

If you end up with more than 4 inches of clearance you would be capable of making 90 degree turns with your setup.