But also remember, that you need to use a double pivot 5th wheel on the truck. Horse trailers are not structurally designed for the side to side twisting of the neck that a 5th wheel can induce. I have seen many trailers seriously damaged when a king pin was stuck in the neck, and they were dropped on an old large truck because it was available & cheap. The truck dipped to one side (going off road, etc.), and the trailer's wheels had not yet gotten there. Something had to give or twist, and the trailer twisted.
Posted 2010-11-19 12:24 PM (#127291 - in reply to #127289) Subject: RE: convert gooseneck to 5th wheel hitch
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by soundhorse on 2010-11-19 10:05 AM
Has anyone ever converted a gooseneck hitch to a 5th wheel hitch? Any reason not to do it?
Can be done, but take the time to read RTStmiths post first. The adapter is cheap and can be found on ebay. The reason being is because of the twisting damage that is caused from standard 5th wheels on the larger trucks. Most car trailer have this option because they claim it allows for greater hitch weight, but the truck and trailer can only carry so much any way.
If you are wanting it because you have an RV and already have the 5th wheel in your truck make sure it moves side to side as well as back and forth.
If you are want it because you bought a larger truck that has a standard 5th wheel already mounted, in my opinion it would be wise to spend a couple of hundered bucks to install a gooseneck ball just behind the 5th wheel to save your trailer.
Posted 2011-03-04 6:54 PM (#131182 - in reply to #127289) Subject: RE: convert gooseneck to 5th wheel hitch
Member
Posts: 9
Originally written by soundhorse on 2010-11-19 8:05 AM
Has anyone ever converted a gooseneck hitch to a 5th wheel cheap hitch? Any reason not to do it?
gooseneck hitches are using a large trailer ball to attach the trailer to the towing vehicle. While the fifth wheel uses a large trailer pin. For more details of conversion tips try to read this:
Posted 2011-03-06 8:33 PM (#131282 - in reply to #131231) Subject: RE: convert gooseneck to 5th wheel hitch
Expert
Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by hogtownboss on 2011-03-05 9:17 PM
Did you do this just for the post?? Just kidding.....
A picture is worth a thousand words!
Nah ! A long ride, I was tired and hurting. Tried to back the trailer and ran the truck off the road. Everything I did just made the situation worse. The truck ended up sideways, tilted down the hillside, and the trailer about high sided on the road lip. USrider was the answer with a tow rig.
Posted 2011-03-09 7:37 AM (#131381 - in reply to #127289) Subject: RE: convert gooseneck to 5th wheel hitch
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317 Location: Barnesville, Ga.
I recently did this so that I could use an air ride hitch. So far I like it. I found a good deal on craigslist for a Air Safe Omni 25 hitch and couldn't pass it up.