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5th wheel
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 2:01 pm
by DCIV
Anyone ever tow a 5th wheel trailer before? I’ve been looking at trailers a lot and while I don’t think I will get a 5th wheel one just because I can’t use different vehicles and they are usually all much bigger than I want. But I have a 5th wheel hitch so I don’t wanna count it out. Just never towed one, is it that much better?
Coop
Re: 5th wheel
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 2:10 pm
by Jeff V.
You don't actually have a 5th wheel though. You've just got a ball in the bed.
Re: 5th wheel
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 2:16 pm
by aaronatstate
Based on what Jeff said, it sounds like you'd be towing a goose neck instead of a 5th wheel.
Re: 5th wheel
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 2:24 pm
by Jeff V.
Re: 5th wheel
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 3:12 pm
by DCIV
Ohhhh. Well….today I learned. I have a gooseneck and not a 5th wheel.
Coop
Re: 5th wheel
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 2:13 am
by Chris GTO TT
You can swap out the pin box on a 5th wheel trailer to a gooseneck. The towing experience is basically the same between a gooseneck and a 5th wheel
Re: 5th wheel
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:26 pm
by DCIV
Not from what I’ve read online and a guy here at work. He said a 5th wheel is much less stable than a goose neck. No idea if that’s true but online says goosenecks are better for heavy loads and what not.
Coop
Re: 5th wheel
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:31 pm
by Chris GTO TT
I have no personal experience with either one, but I have a hard time believing that. The pin weight is basically in the same place. The major difference is 5th wheel is pretty much only for travel trailers anymore, gooseneck is more common on equipment trailers and livestock trailers which tend to be more aerodynamic and have sturdier construction.
Re: 5th wheel
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 4:37 pm
by aaronatstate
Chris GTO TT wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:31 pm
I have no personal experience with either one, but I have a hard time believing that. The pin weight is basically in the same place. The major difference is 5th wheel is pretty much only for travel trailers anymore, gooseneck is more common on equipment trailers and livestock trailers which tend to be more aerodynamic and have sturdier construction.
It's funny though, that semi-trucks use a 5th wheel
Re: 5th wheel
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 4:42 pm
by DCIV
I had that wrong. 5th wheel is way more stable than gooseneck.
Coop
Re: 5th wheel
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 8:05 pm
by Chris GTO TT
DCIV wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 4:42 pm
I had that wrong. 5th wheel is way more stable than gooseneck.
Coop
The only real difference is the physical connection point is broader on the 5th wheel.
aaronatstate wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 4:37 pm
It's funny though, that semi-trucks use a 5th wheel
yeah that's partially because a 5th wheel hitch doesn't require safety chains.