Posted 2005-04-13 4:37 AM (#23775) Subject: Hitches
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Peterborough, Ont.
Does anyone know why horse trailers use a gooseneck(ball) hitch, and RV and tractor trailers us a 5th wheel? The 5th wheel is said to be easier to hook up, but I understand there is some "play" in the hitch. Just one of those things I am curious about.
Posted 2005-04-13 5:52 AM (#23777 - in reply to #23775) Subject: RE: Hitches
Member
Posts: 31 Location: new richmond, wi
Fifth wheel hitches are great for pulling on flat surfaces (headin' on down the road), but they are relatively rigid side-to-side.
Gooseneck hitches, because they are based on a ball configuration, allow more twisting and rolling if you're going to be pulling in and out of rough areas like ditches, fields, corrals, work sites, etc. Thus they are popular in agricultural, construction, and similar industries.
Posted 2005-04-13 9:03 AM (#23788 - in reply to #23775) Subject: RE: Hitches
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
Like paintpaddy said, not alot of side to side flex. About the only thing you see with a fifth wheel hitch is campers. All your major flatbed, enclosed construction, and horse trailers are gooseneck.
Posted 2005-04-13 12:37 PM (#23793 - in reply to #23775) Subject: RE: Hitches
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
Nice thing about a mini 5th wheel is no safety chains. And they are easier to hookup with the V-shapped target to funnel you into the trailer king pin. So you can be off 6 inches and back right up untill it latches and send your co-pilot back to plug in the wires and lift the jackstand. We're in the middle of an article about if a mini 5th wheel hitch jerks more than a gooseneck going down the road.
Posted 2005-04-13 4:33 PM (#23801 - in reply to #23775) Subject: RE: Hitches
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500 Location: West TN
I have both the fifth wheel and a goosneck trailer. My fifth wheel will move side to side and back and forth. I have taken the fifth wheel over some very uneven terrain and had no problem. You can buy some really nice fifth wheel units that will provide a large amount of movement for you.
Hitches
