Using an Adapter to Tow Fifth Wheel Trailer with 1999 Ram Pick Up Equipped with a Gooseneck Hitch

Updated 05/17/2013 | Published 05/16/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter w/8" Offset for Short-Bed Trucks

(221)

$599.98

B&W Companion Slider Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(580)

$1599.00

B&W Companion Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(580)

$1099.00

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

(324)

$1656.81

Reese Goose Box 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Air Ride Coupler Adapter - Lippert 1716 - 20,000 lbs

(324)

$1656.71

Question:

i keep hearing that 5th wheel to gooseneck adapters are hard on the 5th wheel frame and the kingpin can brake away is this true

asked by: Brandon

Expert Reply:

I am not aware of any instances where a king pin has actually broken off, but I can confirm that using an adapter can be rough on the fifth wheel frame. In fact, Lippert, who manufactures the fifth wheel frames for many different fifth wheel trailer manufacturers actually specifically mentions that using an adapter to tow their fifth wheel frames with a gooseneck hitch will void the frame warranty.

The ideal option is to tow a fifth wheel trailer with a fifth wheel hitch.

The next best option is to use a Reese Goosebox, that actually takes the place of the pin box. There are two different 20k Goosebox models, part # RP85FR which will replace the Lippert 0719, 1621 and 1621HD and Fabex PB-600 Series OEM pin boxes. The # RP94716-61301 will replace the Lippert 0115, 1116 and 1716 OEM pin boxes. Because the Goose Box exerts no stress on the fifth wheel frame, using it will have NO warranty implications with a Lippert frame.

If your OEM pin box is not one of those listed above, and you do not care to use a fifth wheel hitch, an adapter can be used, but it might void the fifth wheel frame warranty. If your gooseneck hitch is a B&W Turnover Ball, you can use the B&W Companion, # BWRVK3500 for the stationary model for long bed trucks or the sliding model # BWRVK3400 for 6-1/2 foot beds.

I have linked you to an FAQ article about fifth wheel trailer to gooseneck hitch adapters, as well as some product demonstration videos of the products I recommended.