It depends on the application. If your talking travel trailer, fifth wheel, I don't think I have seen a goose neck travel trailer.


For a work trailer, for horses and farm use, goose neck seems to be the most common.

 

I have had both. I prefer the gooseneck. I have a short box truck and needed extra cab clearance for my fifth wheel. I welded on an extension and gooseneck hitch on my trailer. With the turnover ball hitch I don't have all the hardware in the bed of my truck.

 

What is the difference between the two? I know the mounting is different and they look different but which is better? Better to tow with a 5th or goose? What are the pros and cons?

Thanks

IIRC, the B&W turnover ball gooseneck hitch can be used for either. I think they make an attachment to use a 5th hitch with the turnover ball hitch.

 

You are right!!!! ******* Trailer Supply sells the "Companion" for around $550.00.

 

I have the "companion" for my B&W hitch. I went to etrailers and bought a $100.00 kingpin barrel to replace the "ball" barrel on the GN utility trailer. This way I always use the "5th" wheel plate and feel its a better, safer hook up than the ball method (no safety chains required). Not that the ball method is bad, but IMHO 10k 18 wheelers cant be wrong. can they? AkDually61

 

I agree with AkDually61, it looks and feels safer. Also check with your Motor Vehicle Dept., in Missouri you can get a permanent tag for any trailer with a two inch pin (5th wheel).

 

Ok, so they are both the same... But fifth is usually found on campers and goose on horse trailers. Isn't there better shock absorbing using the fifth wheel? as opposed to the gooseneck?? Better ride in a fifth wheel for a trailer and its internal items, right? So can you get a fifth wheel on a car type trailer? Is there a difference in turning radius and angles before hitting the bed rails between the two??

Patrick

 

Id look at the rated capasty if i were you guys. The goose neck is always rated higher than the 5th wheel the 5th wheel used on pickups are nothing compared to the ones used on simis. I did see a Semi 5th wheel mounted on a pickup one time and they were pulling a 20' hopper bottom grain trayler with it.

 

On a fifth wheel hitch the load is spread out over a wide area instead of only on the ball as in a gooseneck. New 5er hitches pivot side to side and front to back, making for easier unlevel hook-up and release. You can get 5er hitches rated over 30k pounds. Easy choice in my opinion.

 

I was informed that a kinpin is the way to go. all solid iron. Mine is set up so I can actually use either type. the hitch is spendy but well worth the versatility.

 

A Gooseneck is rated higher for one inportant reason. The goosneck hooks up at the bed level, reducing side to side stress on the bed and frame of the truck. The Goose trailer is built much heavier in the front end frame to withstand the now transferred twisting forces to the trailer. Unless you get a travel trailer custom made with a gooseneck you will probably stress the frame and crack it (with the use of one of the fiver to goose adapters).





With the B&W I can tow both with the correct hitch. It costs aa little more but is very usefull. You can get either an air hitch ($2K or so) or a replacement King Pin plate that is air supported (aka TrailAir) for about $800. The hitch may be a bit better but the cost is a lot more. Air or rubber trailer suspensions are also a consideration.


Zeke