fifth wheel and gooseneck hitch questions

[Robert_in_NY]

I just added another truck to serve mainly as the camper hauler (31' travel trailer). New truck is a 4wd, 2006 F350 Lariat crew cab long bed dually with 6.0 diesel (has 83k miles). My questions are there was a hole cut in the bed for a ball mount but the mount is gone. What is a good option for a hidden style hitch there? I don't own a gooseneck trailer currently but have use of 4 different trailers of various lengths.

2nd question is the truck has rails mounted for a fifth wheel hitch but no hitch came with the truck. The rails look like all my friends that have fifth wheels so are these universal? I have no plans to have a fifth wheel camper anytime soon but would like to know I can help my friends if ever needed as we go camping together often.

 

[RobertN]

Interesting question...
5th Wheel Rails | Base Rails | 5th Wheel Hitch

 

[vulcancowboy]

I have a rollover gooseneck ball hitch, very happy with it.
Gooseneck Hitch | B & W Trailer Hitches

 

[tow653]

Look at B and W, they make a flip over goose neck hitch that can also accommodate a 5th wheel when necessary.

 

[Soundguy]

Here's my vote.

Keep the rails. With the rails you can use either a 5th wheel hitch, or a goose neck adapter.

I have a Reese hitch for my f450, and when I am not using it, I swap in a Reese 'the goose'. Adapter. Goes righton the rails, gives you a ggun hitch.

Way easier than a pop up or flip over ball, no dealing with rusted up parts, or periodic lube to keep it all moving.

There are cheaper plates than the goose, I just happened to be at a Reese dealer when my need came up.

I have a pop up ball in my 350, and had one in my dodge 1500. Work great, but mulch or dirt and debris can get in there...

 

[RobertN]

I have wondered, because I am set up for a 5th wheel.

The trailer for my tractor is flatbed. Eventually I need to upgrade to larger trailer for the newer larger tractor. I have been thinking if I do upgrade, to go with a gooseneck. Reese and Curt make gooseneck plates to fit in-bed rails.

Then I could to our 5th wheel, swap to the gooseneck plate, and tow a gooseneck flatbed for the tractor.

 

[RobertN]

Every time I put the 5th wheel hitch in, I have to clean under the rails; they get full of dirt/sand/compost/gravel...

I have a pop up ball in my 350, and had one in my dodge 1500. Work great, but mulch or dirt and debris can get in there...

 

[Soundguy]

I have wondered, because I am set up for a 5th wheel.

The trailer for my tractor is flatbed. Eventually I need to upgrade to larger trailer for the newer larger tractor. I have been thinking if I do upgrade, to go with a gooseneck. Reese and Curt make gooseneck plates to fit in-bed rails.

Then I could to our 5th wheel, swap to the gooseneck plate, and tow a gooseneck flatbed for the tractor.

That's what I do, swap whatever to the rails as needed, or nothing at all.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

That's what I do, swap whatever to the rails as needed, or nothing at all.

Thanks guys, I didn't know they make a gooseneck adapter for the rails. That would be perfect. Now I will just have to find a nice way to patch the hole in the bed.

 

[Rustyiron]

Guy's, how does the 5th-w to GN adapter work?
I thought that the 5th-w are about 10" up above the bed, where the GN's are at bed level. My GN hitch (on the trlr) is adjustable but I don't think it has 10" of adjustment. I haven't checked into it but I thought that you could only go 5th-w to GN with adapters and not the other way. Just curious.
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