Which B&W Fifth Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter Is Best For Towing My Trailer?

Updated 05/09/2026 | Published 05/06/2026

Products Featured in This Question

B&W 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box - Lippert 1621/1621HD - 25K GTW - 4.5K TW

$1999.00

B&W 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box - Lippert 1621/1621HD - 25K GTW - 3.25K TW

$1899.00

Question:

Im considering purchasing the BandW 5th wheel to goose neck adapter hitch for towing my 5th wheel RV. Question is - should I purchase the 3.25 TW or the 4.5 TW? Will I lose energy absorption if I go with the higher rated TW? Thank you

asked by: Glen M

Expert Reply:

Hi Glen,

It will depend on what the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) is of your trailer to determine which B&W 5th wheel to gooseneck adapter will work best for you. Fifth wheels and gooseneck trailers go off of pin weight instead of tongue weight like a bumper pull trailer uses. Pin weight is 15-25% of your trailer's GVWR, typically we use the formula GVWR x 0.22 to give us a median pin weight number. For example, if the weight of a fifth wheel is 18,000lbs GVWR then we do 18,000 x 0.22 = 3,960lbs. Since that is larger than the 3,250lb pin weight of the B&W adapter part # BW73RV, we would want to choose the adapter with the larger pin weight that can accommodate it, the B&W adapter part # BW83RV.

Do you know what the GVWR of your trailer you're towing is?

expert reply by: Claire H

Glen M.

5/8/2026

It is 16,273 GVWR so it looks like it would be the #BW83RV

Claire H.

5/9/2026

@GlenM I agree with you that the B&W 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Apater part # BW83RV would be the best fit for your trailer. With the GVWR being 16,273lbs you get a pin weight of 3,580.06lbs so you'd need the higher rated pin box to get the best ride.