Comparison of Gooseneck and 5th Wheel Hitch For 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Diesel Truck

Question

Question:

Recently a friend of mine told me that there are Fifth wheel adapters to Goose neck hitches. Additionally he passed on that the Goose neck hitches are just as strong and will perform the same as a Fifth Wheel hitch, and it would save room in the back of the truck. Now I realize that we are only talking about the two slides that are left in the truck, after the main portion has been removed. But I can see where the ball disappearing under the bed, and having nothing at all on the bed floor would be convenient. While I have not ever pulled a fifth wheel yet, I want to do adequate research before I spend any money on any type of hitch. I appreciate and look forward to your feedback. My truck is a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 HD, Diesel.......Thanks

asked by: Don S

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Expert Reply:

Yes, there are fifth-wheel to gooseneck adapters and we do carry them.

Gooseneck hitches are typically used to haul construction or agricultural trailers and fifth-wheel hitches are mainly used to haul campers. Gooseneck hitches are usually rated to haul 25,000 to 30,000 pounds, some fifth-wheel hitches are capable of doing the same, but other fifth-wheel hitches are rated lower. When towing, your towing setup is only as strong as the weakest towing component, whether it is your hitch, coupler, or vehicle. You want to make sure not to exceed the towing capacity of your vehicle, hitch, or coupler.

Installing a gooseneck hitch instead of a fifth-wheel will definitely save space in the bed of your truck. There are gooseneck hitches available for your 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 HD that install below the bed, and have a hide-a-goose system, where the ball can be flipped over and the hole for the gooseneck ball covered.

The one aspect of towing that is affected when using a fifth-wheel to gooseneck adapter and a gooseneck hitch is ride quality. The ride quality will diminish, and will make for a more rough ride vs. using a fifth-wheel hitch. Ride quality wont suffer significantly but it will make for a more rough ride when towing.

We do have an option that would allow you to keep your truck bed space. The first option would be to use a fifth-wheel to gooseneck adapter, for this you will need to take some measurements to get the correct adapter.

First, make sure your fifth-wheel is on level ground and back your truck under your fifth-wheel as if you were hooking up to tow. Then you would need to measure from the bottom of the pin box to the top of the gooseneck ball. If the measurement is between 11-3/4 and 14-3/4 inches, I would recommend the Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter, part # AM3100.

You will also need safety chains when towing, for this I would recommend Safety Chains for Ranch Hitch 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter, part # AM3109.

expert reply by: Reno H

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Comparison of Gooseneck and 5th Wheel Hitch For 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Diesel Truck

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