why have 5th wheel and gooseneck couplings?

[redman135]

Why do you have 5th wheel couplings for camper/rv type vehicles but use a gooseneck coupling for equipment/haulage type trailers?
I am from new zealand and we didn't have these here (5th wheels have made an appearance in the last 5 years), so I have zero knowledge of the pro's and con's for either type of hitch.

Towing wise we use bumper pull trailers, up to 2.5 ton over-run braked or 3.5 ton electric braked. If we haul heavier then we use a truck (class 2 or class 4 depending on weight) . The US CDL @ class 8 weight = our class 5

 

[RobertN]

That's an interesting question.

Most times in US, Gooseneck is used for utility type trailers; flatbed trailers, dump trailers, horse trailers etc. 5th wheels are predominately used for RV trailers.

Comparison of Gooseneck and 5th Wheel Towing | etrailer.com

 

[Norm W]

In some locations a goose-neck will be considered noncommercial and be licensed differently than a fifth-wheel. If the fifth-wheel is a camper then it is considered an RV and registered differently again. So some of the choice is based upon the state's DMV.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I don't think it has anything to do with registration type. PA doesn't care about that atleast. RV has their own standards to be able to register that way. Fifth wheel is generally considered a stronger/safer connection but lacks articulation that a gooseneck has.

 

[newbury]

Can't remember ever seeing a semi with a gooseneck.

did find a pic on the web.

 

[jaxs]

Both hitches transfer some of the tongue weight to front tires,increasing tow capacity,giving better braking and steering plus are quicker to hook up than bunper pull. Both can be turned around in less space than bumper pull and goose in less than 5th wheel. 5th wheel is easier for occasional users to hitch up. An important advantage goose has over 5th wheel is bed of truck is open and usable when no trailer is on hitch. Goose is easier to adjust for different highths trucks often found in contractor fleets. It's $500 to $800 cheaper setting up for goose which is important when several trucks and trailers are in a fleet.

 

[bdog]

A fifth wheel gives you added side to side stability. The hitch plate pivots front to back to allow the tow vehicle and trailer to move up and down relative to one another but is fixed side to side and restricts movement in this direction. A gooseneck allows pivoting in all directions.

 

[Wagtail]

A fifth wheel gives you added side to side stability. The hitch plate pivots front to back to allow the tow vehicle and trailer to move up and down relative to one another but is fixed side to side and restricts movement in this direction. A gooseneck allows pivoting in all directions.

Today I've learnt that there is a difference between 'gooseneck' & '5th wheel' hitches. I simply thought that they were interchangeable terms or that they were slang words for the same thing.

Thanks TBN! :thumbsup:

 

[redman135]

Are all the small RV type 5th wheel hitch ridgid laterally?
The semi trailer hitches(full size/class 8) I have seen have a lateral compensator mechanism to reduce the torque loading on the coupling and vehicle. I had assumed the RV type would be the same.
What sizes of goose neck are there and what loading can they take?

 

[3Lfarms]

The older ones were usually fixed laterally. Now that is usually only found on the least expensive hitches. The higher end 5er hitches have some sort of lateral movement. That allows the jaws to fit the kingpin tighter and reduces “chucking” every time you hit a bump.