5th WHEEL TO GOOSENECK ADAPTERS

You already have a gooseneck hitch installed in your truck, but then you see this shiny new fifth wheel that you are destined to have. You don't really know if it's possible for you to even tow a fifth wheel with your gooseneck hitch, but you definitely don't want to install a whole new hitch or get a different truck.

So where does this leave you? Well, you're in luck. There is a way tow a fifth wheel while still keeping your gooseneck hitch, so keep reading to find out how.

Can You Pull a 5th Wheel with a Gooseneck?

With the use of an adapter, you can definitely pull a 5th wheel with a gooseneck hitch, but the question you should really be asking is should you.

Fifth wheel-to-gooseneck adapters will usually put additional stress and wear on both your fifth wheel trailer and your gooseneck hitch, so this should not be your first choice if you tow the same trailer very frequently. It's ultimately best to tow a fifth wheel trailer with a fifth-wheel hitch, and same for a gooseneck trailer, as that is how trailer and hitch manufacturers design them to be used. However, if you are in dire need and do not want to drop four-digit cash on a hitch setup, an adapter will do just fine for you.

What is a 5th Wheel Adapter?

A fifth-wheel adapter is an adapter that you can either attach to your fifth wheel itself, or to the gooseneck hitch in your truck. These can be either a permanent or a temporary solution (most are temporary). If you occasionally need to tow your fifth wheel with a vehicle that already has a gooseneck hitch, this can be an excellent and convenient solution for you.

WATCH A REVIEW OF GOOSENECK AND FIFTH-WHEEL ADAPTERS

If you'd like to tow a fifth-wheel trailer but you have gooseneck hitch in your truck, you can choose from among several kinds of adapters that may help you. Some of these adapters attach to your gooseneck ball or use the ball hole of your gooseneck hitch, allowing you to hook up your fifth-wheel trailer without having to modify it. Other adapters mount to the trailer, allowing you to attach it directly to the gooseneck ball in your truck. Which option you choose depends on your particular circumstances.

There are four types of adapters to choose from that will allow you to tow a fifth wheel with a gooseneck hitch. Below I have ranked them from best to worst, based on factors such as ease of use, wear and tear, and overall quality.

Types of 5th Wheel Adapters

Adapter that Replaces the Trailer Pin Box

Adapter that Installs in the Gooseneck Ball Hole

Adapter that Attaches to the Gooseneck Ball

Adapter that Bolts to the King Pin Plate

1. 5th-Wheel Adapter that Replaces the Trailer Pin Box

Choosing an adapter that replaces your fifth wheel's pin box is the safest and most secure option to go with when towing a fifth wheel trailer with a gooseneck hitch. The Reese Goose Box is a popular adapter of this type; however, it's only available to replace these specific pin box numbers: Lippert 1621 and 0719 (20k), Lippert 1621 (16k), and Lippert 1716 and 1116). If you're not sure of your pin box number or how to find it, click here.

What We Like:

Doesn't cause any additional stress on either the trailer frame or hitch
Fully enclosed air bag and dual shock absorbers to create a smooth, cushioned ride
- Improves handling and overall ride
- Reduces strain on truck and trailer
Leaves your truck open for other uses
Custom fit to fit your trailer means no drilling/welding required

What We Don't Like:

You won't be able to take on and off in between uses since it's a more permanent solution
Much pricier than other options since you're replacing your entire pin box
You can't install on your own because of its weight (approx. 200 lbs)

Note: Because this adapter replaces the king pin on your trailer, you won't need to measure for height. The Goose Box is approved by Lippert, a popular trailer frame and pin box manufacturer, and will not void their trailer warranties.

2. 5th-Wheel Adapter that Installs in the Ball Hole of the Gooseneck Hitch

Using an adapter that installs in your gooseneck hitch's ball hole is another excellent option for adapting your fifth wheel trailer to your gooseneck hitch. You may like this option better than the first, as it's not a permanent installation, and therefore is a great solution if you frequently switch between trailer types.

What We Like:

Great solution if you have to tow multiple trailer types with the same vehicle
Adapter is easily removed when you need to haul cargo in the truck bed
More affordable than replacing your pin box
Adapter plate gives you standard, universal rails to work with almost any fifth-wheel hitch

What We Don't Like:

You must already have fifth-wheel hitch to use an adapter plate or purchase one separately
Not many options for short beds
Hitches that attach to ball hole (B&W Companion) aren't as budget-friendly as adapter plates

Popular adapters that attach to the gooseneck ball hole

There are several different brands that offer this type of adapter, and each one has its own benefits and drawbacks.

B&W Companion

3 Height settings from 16-1/4" to 18-1/4"
Custom made for B&W Turnoverball hitches only
Available in 3 types: fixed, slider, or flatbed-style
360-degree contact with king pin for secure, comfortable attachment
Widely recognized as one of the best 5th-wheel hitches in the industry
Check our fitguide to see which one will fit on your truck
Up to 20,000 lbs. GTW (22,000 for flatbed)
Limited lifetime warranty

Draw-Tite Hi-Rise 5th-Wheel Adapter

Greater height adjustment than B&W from 14-1/4" to 18" tall (normal range for fifth-wheel trailers)
Works with Draw-Tite, Bulldog or B&W under bed gooseneck hitches
Up to 18,000 lbs. GTW
Single, self-latching jaw for tight, secure fit
If bed liner present, trimming may be necessary
2-Year limited warranty

Curt X-5 5th-Wheel Rail Adapter

Comes in 3 models:
- X-Plate (C16210) for Curt hitches - fits Curt Double-Lock, Flip and Store gooseneck hitches with round hole
- X-Plate (C16220) for Curt EZr hitches - fits Curt Double-Lock, Flip and Store gooseneck hitches with round hole
- X-Plate (16310) for B&W hitches - fits B&W turnover ball hitches with square hole
If bed liner present, trimming may be necessary
Up to 20,000 lbs. GTW
Limited lifetime warranty

Demco 5th-Wheel Rail Adapter

Only works with B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitches
Unlike Curt and Draw-Tite, this has an adjustable mount to fit with a bed mat/liner without trimming
Up to 21,000 lbs. GTW
5-Year limited warranty

3. 5th-Wheel Adapter that Attaches to the Gooseneck Ball

If you have a gooseneck hitch installed in your truck bed and aren't able or just don't want to have to take the gooseneck ball in and out to tow your fifth wheel, this is a great option for you. This style of adapter attaches to the existing gooseneck ball already in your truck bed, and provides you with a fifth-wheel hitch so that you won't have a lot of the additional stress and strain on your fifth wheel as some of the other types of adapters can cause.

One adapter that is great if you want something lightweight and light on your wallet is the Demco Recon. The Recon is an popular and excellent adapter that attaches to the gooseneck ball in the truck bed to give you a fifth-wheel hitch. The Recon is offered in a standard gooseneck ball style, and in a recessed gooseneck ball style as well for flatbed trucks.

What We Like:

One of the lightest hitch options available
- Easy to take in and out
Wraparound, single jaw for most secure connection possible
Available with 3" offset for extra turning clearance
Quick and simple installation
No need to remove gooseneck ball
Cushioning polyurethane dampeners absorb shock and reduce noise while towing for a very comfortable ride

What We Don't Like:

Not compatible with rotating pin boxes (sidewinders)
Won't work with high-rise gooseneck balls

4. 5th-Wheel Adapter that Bolts to the King Pin

This type of fifth-wheel-to-gooseneck adapter is a tube that bolts around the fifth-wheel trailer king pin at one end and attaches to the gooseneck ball in the back of the truck at the other, just like a standard gooseneck coupler would.

This type of adapter can also come with an offset to provide a bit more turning clearance for short bed trucks, and the adapters made by Convert-A-Ball also feature polyurethane cushioning to help minimize strain and wear on your trailer and hitch.

What We Like:

The pin box does not have to be removed or modified for installation
Easier to take on and off than Reese Goose Box
Available with or without an offset to accommodate for short-bed trucks
Typically more affordable than the other options

What We Don't Like:

Adapters can be heavy - an extra set of hands will help with installation
Designed as a temporary solution - over time these put extra strain and wear on both your trailer and hitch
Not all trailers can use this type of adapter - confirm with the trailer manufacturer

Determining the Correct Height for Your Adapter

Adapters that fit around the king pin and attach to the king pin plate have to be the correct height so that you can tow the trailer level. Getting an adapter of the correct height is important for safe towing. Some adapters are height adjustable and others have a fixed height. The shortest available adapter is the Ranch Hitch adapter at 11-3/4 inches. The tallest is the cushioned gooseneck adapter at 16 inches. There is an easy way to determine what height you need for your truck-and-trailer combination.

Measuring Your Truck and Trailer

Back your truck into position as if you were hooking up your fifth-wheel trailer, making sure that the truck and trailer are level
Measure from the king pin plate down to the top of the ball in the bed of your truck
The measurement you get is the total height of the adapter you will need

Note: Five to six inches of clearance between the overhang of the trailer and side rails of your truck is necessary for safe operation.

Adapters for Towing a Gooseneck Trailer with a 5th Wheel Hitch

Gooseneck to 5th Wheel Adapters

Measuring to Determine the Correct Replacement Pin Box for a 5th-Wheel Trailer

Gooseneck Trailer Hitch Information and Review

Related Products

Shop Gooseneck Balls

Shop Gooseneck Hitches

Shop Gooseneck Wiring

Updated by: Olivia M.

Last Updated: 2/14/2020

George H.

2/27/2022

HAVE A 2014 DODGE RAM 3500 8FOOT BOX DUALLY DIESEL WITH A CURT 5TH WHEEL HITCH PULLING A GRANDE DESIGHN 2021 337 REFLECTION 5TH WHEEL PS WOULD LIKE TO GO TO REMOVABLE BALL IN TRUCK BOX AS TO HAVE MORE ROOM IN BOX NEED PROPER PIN BOX HOOK UP FOR THIS HAVE RV 5TH WHEEL AS MENTIONED ABOVE AND ALSO A N OTHER 5TH WHEEL SERVICE TRAILER ENCLOSED THAT I PULL.

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