Trailer Purchasing Advise

[deezler]

So educate me: A gooseneck is an example of a 5th wheel isn't it? What is the difference?

Fallon explained it pretty well, and a basic google search will show you the mounting/connection differences. For the life of me I cannot fathom why both styles exist though. Most campers are 5th wheel and most equipment trailers are gooseneck (ball). Why wouldn't you want them the same ?!

 

[jyoutz]

Because unless you have the new puck setups (I guess everyone does now?) you have a stupid metal bracket always sitting there on the floor of your truck bed. And regardless of which system you have, you have to wrangle a 100+ lb hitch in and out of your bed if you want to trailer something, and then go back to a clean bed afterwards. Edit: wait, am I confusing 5th-wheel with GN balls? I am. Obviously I am not experienced here LOL.

Regarding safety, you basically explained what I meant. You have to pull out wide on any tight turn with a GN, many people dont, and pull their trailer into a ditch. I've seen it several times. Operator error, but it's easy to do.

Gooseneck balls usually fold away flat under the truck bed when not used. You’re thinking of a fifth wheel hitch. Google photos of both and you’ll see the difference.

 

[JWR]

Both mount in the same place, the middle of the bed & not on the bumper. A gooseneck is just like a ball for a bumper pull. A 5th wheel is what you see on the back of a semi. A big greasy plate with a notch in it. The trailer has a pin in it that slides into the notch.

A 5th wheel hits weighs 100 odd pounds on a pickup & takes up a lot of the bed. It may be easier to hitch up as you just back into the trailer. Things somewhat self align if you are close. You need to lower the jack, back up, align closely then raise the jack to hitch a gooseneck.

Technically you need safety chains for any ball hitch (goose or bumper), but don't for a 5th wheel. Not clear if that's politics or a technical reason.

RV trailers almost always come with a 5th wheel hitch. Horse trailers & work trailers almost always use a gooseneck. Converting a gooseneck trailer to 5th wheel is pretty rare. Converting a 5th wheel trailer to a gooseneck usually isn't to difficult & done a bit.

Outstanding explanation. I have no experience with either one (though I certainly understand the physics of where the pivot point is located, etc.)

Thanks.

 

[ovrszd]

Because unless you have the new puck setups (I guess everyone does now?) you have a stupid metal bracket always sitting there on the floor of your truck bed. And regardless of which system you have, you have to wrangle a 100+ lb hitch in and out of your bed if you want to trailer something, and then go back to a clean bed afterwards. Edit: wait, am I confusing 5th-wheel with GN balls? I am. Obviously I am not experienced here LOL.

Regarding safety, you basically explained what I meant. You have to pull out wide on any tight turn with a GN, many people dont, and pull their trailer into a ditch. I've seen it several times. Operator error, but it's easy to do.

Yep, easy mistake to make if not familiar with the two types.

One of my GN balls is a "turn over" design. One is a "remove" the ball design. Both leave a flat bed floor.

 

[4570Man]

Fallon explained it pretty well, and a basic google search will show you the mounting/connection differences. For the life of me I cannot fathom why both styles exist though. Most campers are 5th wheel and most equipment trailers are gooseneck (ball). Why wouldn't you want them the same ?!

I’m really not sure why they do that. A 5th wheel is the superior connection but campers aren’t exactly the definition of quality so I doubt that’s the determining factor. A 5th wheel is easier to hookup if you were doing it frequently but having to deal with hitch takes far more work than the increased difficulty of a GN so I doubt that’s that’s the reason either. The best reason I can think of is camper frames aren’t overly sturdy and a 5th wheel neck is less stressful vs a gooseneck.

 

[jyoutz]

I’m really not sure why they do that. A 5th wheel is the superior connection but campers aren’t exactly the definition of quality so I doubt that’s the determining factor. A 5th wheel is easier to hookup if you were doing it frequently but having to deal with hitch takes far more work than the increased difficulty of a GN so I doubt that’s that’s the reason either. The best reason I can think of is camper frames aren’t overly sturdy and a 5th wheel neck is less stressful vs a gooseneck.

I think it’s because you can usually hook up a fifth wheel by looking out the back window, but the gooseneck usually requires a spotter or several trips out of the driver’s seat to check alignment (at least for me).

 

[deezler]

So I guess the question is, why aren't equipment trailers also a 5th wheel style hitch? Is it because they figure such trailer owners/operators might need their truck bed to be clear and useable more easily? Whereas, a camper 5th wheel guy is probably just... camping. ?

 

[ljjhouser]

Also I might point out that the newer trucks that have cameras in the back that can be temporally set to closeup mode make it possible to see the hitch and ball close to make it a one shot position before you get out and lower the coupler. if you had a bed camera, the same might be possible with the GN.

 

[dodge man]

I bought a log splitter from a guy yesterday, he’s moving into town. What attracted my attention was a car hauler for sale sitting along the road. Tandem axle, brakes on both axle, a little over 10 years old $1500. I probably would have bought it and sold mine for more than than $1500. He sold it already though, took about 2 hours.

 

[ovrszd]

I bought a log splitter from a guy yesterday, he’s moving into town. What attracted my attention was a car hauler for sale sitting along the road. Tandem axle, brakes on both axle, a little over 10 years old $1500. I probably would have bought it and sold mine for more than than $1500. He sold it already though, took about 2 hours.

I bought an 8 year old 12K, 18x2, 4 brakes, very good tires for $2,500 and felt like I got a great deal. That was a steal!!!!

I thought you were going to say you bought the splitter, and the trailer to haul it home!!!!