Reese Goose Box or Andersen Ultimate for Towing with a 2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty

Updated 03/11/2020 | Published 03/10/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Reese Goose Box 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Air Ride Coupler Adapter - 20,000 lbs

(324)

$1676.92

Andersen Ultimate Connection 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch System with Adapter - 20,000 lbs

(99)

$840.06

B&W Ball and Safety Chain Kit for Ford, GM, Chevy, and Nissan Titan XD Underbed Gooseneck Hitch

(1353)

$299.00

Reese Elite Series Underbed Rail Adapter for Standard 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 20,000 lbs

(338)

$410.48

Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ford Towing Prep Package - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(465)

$1029.62

Reese Sidewinder 5th Wheel King Pin with Rotating Turret - 20,000 lbs

(43)

$1350.54

Question:

We have a 2017 F350 standard bed 6.5 ft with the OEM fifth wheel prep kit installed. We will be towing a 2020 Grand Design Solitude 344GK. We are currently considering the Andersen Ultimate Gooseneck understanding potential warranty issues or the Reese 20K Goosebox as a replacement pinbox. Any advise on which of these would provide the best overall clearance? We are trying to minimize additional pin weight as much as possible. Thank you in advance!

asked by: Kim

Expert Reply:

Ultimately the most light-weight option would be using the Reese Goose Box 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Air Ride Coupler Adapter # RP85FR with a gooseneck hitch ball like the B&W Kit # BWGNXA2061. It eliminates having to install and remove a heavy hitch and the only thing you have to keep track of is the hitch ball/safety chain connections, which in the case of the B&W kit you can use the storage case and keep it in your truck cab.

The biggest drawback you're going to have with the Goose Box option though is the reduced turning clearance. Even with the tapered nose on your Grand Design, I'm not sure if that would be enough for you to have clearance when turning.

The Anderson Ultimate # AM3200 would give you a bit more turning clearance but then again you'd need an adapter plate like the Reese # RP30156 so it is compatible with the OEM system on your Ford, plus you run the risk of the warranty issue that you mentioned.

The absolute best option for you is to swap out the pin box for a Reese Sidewinder # RP34FR. With the pin box swapped out you now have the turning clearance you need and you can use a lighter 5th wheel hitch, the Reese M5 # RP30921, which weighs in around the 154lb mark.

Going the way with the Sidewinder does come with a premium price-tag but it should be the best way to stay within the limits of your warranty while at the same time providing a lighter hitch and keeping clear of your truck cab.