Posted 2011-04-07 8:15 AM (#132714) Subject: Gooseneck Hitch on fifth wheel rail assembly?
Member
Posts: 33 Location: Ohio
I recently bought a used 2002 F-350 that has a rail assembly for a fifth wheel hitch on it. My plan was to take it out and get a gooseneck hitch installed, but yesterday I was behind a truck at a stop light with the tailgate down, and saw that they had a ball hitch installed on the rails. I just did a search online and found this: http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-58079-Gooseneck-Assembly/dp/B0...
I'm wondering if it would be better to go with something like this instead of removing the rail assembly. Any ideas?
Posted 2011-04-07 8:33 AM (#132716 - in reply to #132714) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Hitch on fifth wheel rail assembly?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: Ohio
One of our riding friends has one of these in his truck and his trailer actually bent the ball/plate backward. I'm not sure how much weight he had when he did it.
If it were me, I'd take the rails out and put in a B&W. I don't think the reese on the rails is rated for as much weight.
Posted 2011-04-07 9:05 AM (#132717 - in reply to #132714) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Hitch on fifth wheel rail assembly?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 800 Location: Tenn/Ala.
We've sold a many of the balls through the years to folks in the same situation. If it wasn't a monster trailer, I think I'd have to give it a whirl. I like the B&W better, but if using the rails saves several dollars....The new green thinking. Reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose. You are doing 2 of the 4 that way! Just my thought.
Posted 2011-04-07 3:12 PM (#132742 - in reply to #132714) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Hitch on fifth wheel rail assembly?
Member
Posts: 26 Location: galveston,in
I have the Reese rail system in 5 different trucks.I like it that I can just have a couple of ball mounts and Fifth wheels that are swapable between trucks.
With the others out there you either have to buy 2 different hitches or pay out the rear for B&W back breaking 5th wheel hitch.No thanks I will stick with what works.
I have pulled my 24' steel Tracer trailer with 8 head in it with not a flinch.I have also pulled my 40' deck over gooseneck with 480 bales of hay on it with the same set up.Not a problem here.I used to pull a 35' Jayco 5th wheel with a super slide all the time.
I just take the rails out of the truck when I sell it and put them in the next truck.Matter of fact i have to pull a set out of the truck I am selling now.Only takes about 2 hours to put them in.
Posted 2011-04-12 12:00 PM (#132936 - in reply to #132714) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Hitch on fifth wheel rail assembly?
Member
Posts: 33 Location: Ohio
I hate to WASTE anything (what can I say, I'm dutch). The trailer is a 28 foot, all aluminum 3-horse, but I will only be hauling 1 horse, a 14.2 Arab. It would save me a considerable amount of money both on the hitch itself and the labor to install it.
Posted 2011-04-12 12:13 PM (#132938 - in reply to #132714) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Hitch on fifth wheel rail assembly?
Member
Posts: 39 Location: Southwestern, Indiana
I have the Reese system in my 2000 F250, pull a 3h steel Ponderosa trailer. Never had a problem even when I stood it on it's nose to miss a deer loaded with 3 horses and camping gear. Went with a B&W flip over in the new truck only to achieve the smooth bed floor when I need it.
Posted 2011-04-12 2:46 PM (#132942 - in reply to #132714) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Hitch on fifth wheel rail assembly?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
I'm on my second truck/trailer combination with that setup and will likely do the same with any future trucks. I have both the gooseneck ball plate and 5th wheel hitch and its nice to be able to switch between the two easily. Check the weight ratings on the Reese ball plate, I think mine is rated for 25k lbs and I pull a trailer that is right around 14k fully loaded (3 horse, 8' LQ, midtack). It does mean the ball sits up a couple of inches higher in the bed of the truck than it would if you had a ball mounted directly in the bed, but you can adjust the trailer coupler sleeve to drop the nose if need be.
Gooseneck Hitch on fifth wheel rail assembly?
