Gooseneck Adapter for a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado Duramax Towing a 1990 Alpenlite 29.5 DL

Question:

Pickup: 2005 Duramax 6 ft bed with popup gooseneck installed. Trlr: 1990 Alpenlite 29.5 DL with kingpin Need best matchup so I can use gooseneck if practical. Have heard about surging and would like to avoid.

asked by: Darryl M

Expert Reply:

Towing a fifth-wheel trailer with a 6 foot bed truck and gooseneck hitch will normally require the use of an offset adapter, like the Ranch Hitch Offset Adapter, # AM3139, that you referenced, to allow turning clearance when in tight situations. I attached a drawing that I put together to show you how to measure to determine if an adapter is needed or not. You can add 8 inches to the clearance measurement with the # AM3139 adapter.

If an offset is not needed then I would recommend going with the straight adapter, # AM3100, because the ride quality will be slightly better.

The issues you have heard about surging or chucking can be caused for many different reasons, such as improper trailer loading, worn vehicle or trailer suspension parts, or aftermarket additions to the vehicle suspension working against the trailer attachment system in the bed of the truck. In most cases the best ride quality when towing a fifth-wheel trailer will be obtained when using a fifth-wheel hitch, so if ride quality is a main concern, going with a fifth wheel system and using a gooseneck plate when needed, see links, would be the best way to go.

expert reply by: Robert G