Inherited goose neck hitch on 2011 CTD 3500

[Ron3rd]

I posted in another thread regarding my daughter's new-to-her 2011 RAM CTD 3500. She wants to get a 5er and this truck came with a goose neck hitch already installed. Can she use this hitch with a properly modified 5er? What are the pros and cons with a goose neck hitch and a 5er? Obviously gives you more room in the bed!

[Cummins12V98]

tinner12002 wrote:
If I'm not mistaken, in order to use the gooseneck ball with a 5th wheel hitch the ball has to have a square base. Some others are round like the factory Ram gooseneck ball and have been told those won't work.

That era truck did NOT have factory gooseneck available. Most likely a B&W TurnoverBall.

Get the 20K Companion hitch.

[tinner12002]

If I'm not mistaken, in order to use the gooseneck ball with a 5th wheel hitch the ball has to have a square base. Some others are round like the factory Ram gooseneck ball and have been told those won't work.

[Ron3rd]

nevadanick wrote:
If its a B&W it might not be an issue as they have a fifth wheel hitch that works with some of theirs.

I'll look closer, have only seen the truck once and noticed the hole in the bed for the goose neck, but no ball. Maybe she's got the ball in the truck. I'll get more info and post back.

[Ron3rd]

crcr wrote:
Look into the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel hitch, the aluminum model that attaches via a gooseneck hitch. They weigh 32 lbs and can be removed in a few minutes. They have become very popular with 5th wheelers. There are many threads about the hitch on this forum. We're planning to upgrade from a TT to a 5th wheel, and plan to buy an Andersen.

As someone commented, don't use a goosebox / gooseneck adapter attached to your 5th wheel. The support structure in the 5th isn't desgined for the additional leverage -- bad idea.

Thank you for the info, very helpful.

[nevadanick]

If its a B&W it might not be an issue as they have a fifth wheel hitch that works with some of theirs.

[crcr]

Look into the Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel hitch, the aluminum model that attaches via a gooseneck hitch. They weigh 32 lbs and can be removed in a few minutes. They have become very popular with 5th wheelers. There are many threads about the hitch on this forum. We're planning to upgrade from a TT to a 5th wheel, and plan to buy an Andersen.

As someone commented, don't use a goosebox / gooseneck adapter attached to your 5th wheel. The support structure in the 5th isn't desgined for the additional leverage -- bad idea.

[memtb]

MFL wrote:
This is a common asked question, and although many use a gooseneck adapter on their FW pinbox, it is not the best option. A FW frame is not designed for the amplified leverage of a gooseneck adapter. A normal gooseneck trailer is way stronger in the forward frame work, to handle the twisting leverage.

While many do this, say no problem, I would not go this route. If you really want to make use of the ball, there are several hitches that may attach to it. Myself, with a 3500, I'd go with a regular quality FW hitch.

Jerry

I'm with MFL on this issue! memtb

[Second_Chance]

Andersen and PullRite both have light-weight fifth wheel options that mound to the truck with the turnover ball. B&W and several others have standard (read "heavy") fifth wheel hitches that also install using the gooseneck ball. As advised, stay away from gooseneck adapters for the fifth wheel.

Rob

[The_real_wild1]

IMO Id add a fifth wheel hitch to the truck. Most times you can retain the goose neck hitch as well.

[Ron3rd]

OK, thanks for the info!

[Bedlam]

There are some drop in fifth wheel cradles that attach to the gooseneck in the truck. This allows you to use an unaltered fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer with the same truck.

[MFL]

This is a common asked question, and although many use a gooseneck adapter on their FW pinbox, it is not the best option. A FW frame is not designed for the amplified leverage of a gooseneck adapter. A normal gooseneck trailer is way stronger in the forward frame work, to handle the twisting leverage.

While many do this, say no problem, I would not go this route. If you really want to make use of the ball, there are several hitches that may attach to it. Myself, with a 3500, I'd go with a regular quality FW hitch.

Jerry