Recommendation for a 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Trailer Adater for a 2004 Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4x4

Question:

I have a 2004 F350 crew cab 4x4. Stock height, but has adjustable air bags. The Boy Scout in me wants to keep an adapter on my rig to tow a stranded 5th wheel with my goosenck hitch. What adapter do you recommend I use given the height of my rig and the variable height of any trailer I may want to tow?

asked by: Glen P

Expert Reply:

No question for me, I absolutely recommend the Ranch Hitch, # AM3100, that you have selected. It has a gross trailer weight capacity of 24,000 pounds and a pin weight capacity of 6,000 pounds. Plus, it has 3 inches of adjustability from 11-3/4 inches, up to 14-3/4 inches.

To determine the height you will need for any given trailer, there are some simple measurements you can take ahead of time. First, back your truck into position as if you were hooking up your fifth-wheel trailer, making sure that the truck and trailer are level. Then measure from the pin plate (the bottom of the pin box) down to the top of the ball in the bed of your truck. That distance is the height the adapter will need to be.

If your 2004 F-350 is a short bed model, you may need the offset model. Take a look at # AM3139. This is basically the same as the Ranch Hitch above except that it has an 8 inch offset for greater clearance between the back of the truck cab and the front of the 5th wheel trailer. To determine if an offset is needed, measure from the center of the ball in the bed of the truck forward to the back of the cab.

Next, measure the width of the trailer and divide by 2 to get half. Subtract this number from the first number to get the amount of clearance you will have. If it is 4 inches or less, an offset will be needed. The same formula would apply except after you measure from the ball to the cab, you would add 8 before subtracting half the width of the trailer.

If you go with a Ranch Hitch I also recommend Safety Chains for Ranch Hitch 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter, # AM3109, which are specifically designed for use with the Ranch Hitches.