Gooseneck To 5th Wheel Adapter For CM SK Model Flat Bed With Recessed Ball

Question:

Hello, I need a recommendation on an adapter for a trailer I am buying and need to haul home across the country. My truck is a 2016 Ford 550 with a CM SK Model flat bed. The bed sits 42inch measured from the ground. From the ball to the back of the bumper is about 65. The gooseneck ball sits about 2inch down into the bed. The trailer is a 36foot ATC enclosed trailer. The best pictures I have can be found at the link copy and paste into browser: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-ATC-36-039-ALL-ALUMINUM-Enclosed-Car-Hauler-/332305081838?ul_noapp=trueandnma=trueandsi=uL5J63u84AY252BZTzoeqE3cccbd2k253Dandorig_cvip=trueandrt=ncand_trksid=p2047675.l2557 I need a recommendation on adapter. The previous owner was using a BandW companion on the chevy pictured and the measurement from the ground to the kingpin attachment was about 37inch with any of the adapters I will be at about 52inch from the ground to the kingpin connection and that may cause the trailer to ride too high in the front. Do you have a recommendation on this? The trailer weights are: GVWR: 12,000#/Curb Weight: About 5,000#/Hitch Weight: About 1,350#. One of my other concerns is length and whether I need an offset adapter or not. The previous owner had a dimension of about 56inch from the kingpin to the back of his bumper. Mine is 65inch and I am getting the measurement from the kingpin to back of the flat on the upper deck of the trailer from him now.

asked by: Kyle K

Expert Reply:

For your Ford F-550 with a CM SK model flatbed, you are limited as to the adapters that will work. Because your ball is recessed 2 inches, the space around that may or may not allow for an offset. I have a couple options for an offset adapter. The Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter w/8" Offset for Short-Bed Trucks # AM3139 and the Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter w/ Offset - 12" to 16" Tall # CAB-C5GX1216 both allow an offset for the additional length you mentioned gaining you 7-1/2 to 8 inches. I've attached a photo of the Convert-A-Ball and the Ranch Hitch measurements are very similar.

They are adjustable vertically from 11-3/4 to 14-3/4 inches for the Ranch Hitch or from 12 to 16 inches for the Convert-A-Ball.

You may be limited based on your recessed clearance to a cushioned adapter like # CAB-C5G or non-cushioned like # AM3100 which will give you the same height adjustments without the offset to give you more clearance.

There is adjustability in your pin box on your trailer, so you will have some raising or lowering ability there as well and the angle will help with rear clearance if extended. I think the height of your truck bed is the biggest issue as you will be tongue high without any adapter if I understand correctly and you want the trailer to ride as level as possible for safety. You will want the lowest pin box setting and the shortest adapter setting for sure.