Fifth Wheel Trailer Bounce When Towing with a 2002 Chevrolet 2500 HD and Gooseneck Hitch
Question:
2002 Chevy 2500HD Diesel tow vehicle with B and W turnover ball in bed 2007 30 foot Cougar with extended not beyond front of trailer but at edge hitch pin Brand new install, did it according to specs but the trailer feels like it is i am not sure what the right term is bucking a bit..not a smooth ride...trailer not heavy 9500 lbs+/-.Was hoping this would be the answer keeping the bed of the truck free but not if it does this...cant be good for frame of trailer...
asked by: Becky W
Expert Reply:
Trailer bouncing and rough rides are common complaints among customers that are towing their fifth wheel trailer with a gooseneck hitch and a gooseneck adapter like part # AM3100. Gooseneck adapters create extra distance between the king pin and trailer hitch and this extra distance creates torque on the trailer frame which creates the chucking and bouncing that you are referring to.
Fifth-Wheel-to-Gooseneck coupler adapters are a good solution if you tow a gooseneck trailer and a fifth wheel trailer, but they do not provide as nice of a ride when towing with an actual fifth wheel hitch. Since you have the B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch in your truck, I recommend picking up the B&W Companion fifth wheel hitch, # BWRVK3500. This hitch was designed to work with the B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch and will cure most of your ride quality issues.
Another option that you could look into is the Convert-A-Ball Cushioned Fifth-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Hitch Adapter, # CAB-C5G. This adapter should help with the bouncing and bucking that you are experiencing as the cushioning inside the adapter will soften the up and down motions at the point where the trailer is connected to the truck.
If the pin box on your fifth wheel trailer is a Lippert 0115, 1116, or 1716, then you could replace your pin box with the Reese Goose Box, # RP94716-61301. If your pin box is a Lippert 0719, 1621, or 1621HD, then you could use Goose Box, # RP85FR. At this time these are the only pin boxes that our Goose Boxes are compatible with.
I have attached a link to an FAQ article that details the different types of Fifth-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapters for you to review.
Products Referenced in This Question
B&W Companion Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters
- Adapts Truck
- Gooseneck Hitch to Fifth Wheel Trailer
- No Offset
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Connects to Gooseneck Hole
- Fixed Height
- Hitch Adapters
- B and W
more information >
Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter - 12" to 16" Tall - 20,000 lbs
- Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters
- Adapts Trailer
- Fifth Wheel Trailer to Gooseneck Hitch
- No Offset
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Bolts Over King Pin
- Adjustable Height
- King Pin Adapters
- Convert-A-Ball
more information >
Reese Goose Box 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Air Ride Coupler Adapter - 20,000 lbs
- Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters
- Adapts Trailer
- Fifth Wheel Trailer to Gooseneck Hitch
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Replaces King Pin
- King Pin Adapters
- Fabex 600
- Lippert 0719
- Lippert 1621
- Lippert 1716
- Lippert Rhino
- Reese
more information >
Reese Goose Box 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Air Ride Coupler Adapter - Lippert 1716 - 16,000 lbs
- Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters
- Adapts Trailer
- Fifth Wheel Trailer to Gooseneck Hitch
- Replaces King Pin
- King Pin Adapters
- Lippert 0115
- Lippert 1116
- Lippert 1716
- Reese
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Ranch Hitch Universal 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Coupler Adapter
- Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters
- Adapts Trailer
- Fifth Wheel Trailer to Gooseneck Hitch
- No Offset
- 24000 lbs GTW
- Bolts Over King Pin
- Adjustable Height
- King Pin Adapters
- Andersen
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Video: Review of Reese Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters - Adapts Trailer - RP94716-61301
- Video: Reese Goose Box 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Air Ride Coupler Adapter Review and Installation
- Article: Adapters for Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer with a Gooseneck Hitch
- Article: Gooseneck to 5th Wheel Adapters
- Article: 4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box
- Article: Best 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Adapters (2023)
- Article: Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch Information and Installation Tips
- Q&A: Recommended Clearance Dimensions Between Truck Bed Rails and 5th Wheel Trailer
- Q&A: What Is An OEM Prep Package And How Do I Know If I Have It
- Article: Gooseneck Trailer Hitch Information and Review
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