How To Determine Which Fifth Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter To Use on a Ford F-250 Long Bed

Question:

I have an F250 longbed truck and the distance between the rear bumper and the fifth wheel seems short. I want to get a gooseneck adapter to tow it with its a 25ft trailer so not that big and i dont know if I should get a straight one or one with an offset to increase distance between the back of the truck and the trailer. How much distance should I have? Bearing in mind I have never had an issue with a gooseneck horse trailer.

asked by: Laura

Expert Reply:

Usually on a Ford F-250 long bed (8 foot) truck an offset gooseneck adapter is not necessary, but you can measure to see if you would need one.

To determine the clearance needed on your F-250 long bed, you need to take the width of your trailer and divide by two. Then measure from the gooseneck hitch ball in the truck to the back of the truck cab. That dimension should be 4 inches more than your first measurement for correct clearance.

For example, if your trailer measures 96 inches wide, take half (48 inches), then add 4 inches (52 inches). So if the measurement from the gooseneck hitch ball in the truck to the back of the truck cab is 52 inches or more, you will have enough clearance for a straight gooseneck adapter.

If you do not have enough clearance, then you would have to use an offset gooseneck adapter. The offset on the the adapters increase your clearance by either 7-1/2 inches or 8 inches, depending on which adapter you use.

I have three fifth wheel to gooseneck adapters available with an offset. The Convert-A-Ball Adapter with Offset, part # CAB-C5GX1216, has an offset of 7-1/2 inches and a height range of 12 to 16 inches. The Ranch Hitch Adapter with Offset, part # AM3139, has an offset of 8 inches and a height range of 11-3/4 to 14-3/4 inches.

To determine the height of the adapter you will need, park the truck and trailer on level ground. Back the truck up as if you where connecting to the trailer. Measure from the top of the ball to the bottom of the pin box (not the king pin). This distance is the height you will need. Five or six inches of clearance between the overhang of the trailer and side rails of your truck is necessary for safe operation.