Solution for Towing 5th Wheel With Goosneck Hitch on Flatbed Truck

Question

Question:

Thank you for your reply. We already had a fifth wheel adaptor, and the frame on the trailer will not take the added torque. The frame on the trailer flexes. I need some kind of a fifth wheel that I can put on a flat bed, even if it means bolting and unbolting. Thanks

asked by: Theodore V

0

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you still want to be able to use a 5th wheel hitch with your flatbed with the built in gooseneck hitch it has. Unfortunately, without the B&W gooseneck hitch you will be unable to use the Companion. The Companion head is also not compatible with something like the Patriot base that would work with industry standard rails.

My recommendation is the use an adapter like the Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter # CAB-C5G. This will bolt onto your king pin and allow you to tow your trailer with the gooseneck ball on the flat bed. With the adapter you won't have to remove anything to pull a gooseneck trailer. It will also eliminate the need to install rails and buy a new 5th wheel hitch.

expert reply by: Robin H

0

Theodore S.

9/18/2022

Thank you for your reply. We already had a fifth wheel adaptor, and the frame on the trailer will not take the added torque. The frame on the trailer flexes. I need some kind of a fifth wheel that I can put on a flat bed, even if it means bolting and unbolting. Thanks

Reply

Robin H.

9/18/2022

Since you can't use an adapter there are two other possible solutions. If you have a recessed ball you could use the # DM8550046. If not, the only other solution is the Reese Low-Profile 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch # RP30054. This hitch will mount directly to your frame using either a bolt-on or weld-on installation. Since you don't want it permanently attached, you will have to bolt it through the floor of the bed to a substantially designed steel support structure that connects the hitch to the tow vehicle frame per the instructions.

Reply

Answer 1

Demco makes a special version of the Recon hitch for flat bed applications that have recessed balls actually! So what you'd want instead is the part #DM8550046. This has a shorter overall height to make up for the additional height of the flat…

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Answer 2

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 3

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 4

According to Blue Ox, it'll take an experienced installer about 4 to 5 hours to complete the installation of their #BX1128 Base Plate Kit on a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The install isn't what I'd call super-difficult, but the installation…

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Answer 5

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 7

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 8

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 9

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 10

Hey Ron, congratulations on the new trailer! I have a Jay Feather myself and love it. You're definitely off to a great start with a weight distribution hitch, it will make a world of difference towing that trailer with your F-150. The Weigh Safe…

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Answer 11

Since wire color codes are NOT universal, we always recommend wiring by function, rather than wire color. If you look at the Trailer Wiring FAQ article I have linked you to, you can see some diagrams showing the proper way to wire a vehicle and…

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Answer 12

No, I am sorry it does not. I just spoke with Lippert and none of the Curt Helux Shock-Absorbing 5th Wheel Pin Box like item #C73RJ are compatible with gooseneck adapters like the Anderson Ultimate 5th Wheel Hitch. You would need to use a standard…

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