Recommendation of a Gooseneck Trailer Adapter for a 1999 Ford F-350 Dually  

Question:

Expert Reply:

With a 6-inch lift on your 1999 Ford F-350 dually and 22-1/2 inch tires the Convert-A-Ball gooseneck adapter # CAB-C5G is a solid option if you need to change the attachment style of the trailer from the 5th wheel to gooseneck. The trailer will likely ride nose up but this adapter is height adjustable from 12-inches to 16-inches and has a 20,000 pound towing capacity.

Of the adapters available this is likely the best option for your lifted truck. Please note this gooseneck adapter # CAB-C5G doesn't offer additional offset if lateral clearance is needed.

To determine if this adapter will work for you, you will need to measure from the bottom of the pin box (not the king pin) to the top of the bed to determine if this height is too much or not enough. All measurements should be taken with the truck and trailer on level ground.

Once you have the vehicle and trailer level you can measure the distance between the top of the ball mount and the bottom of the king pin to determine if there will be enough space for the rails on the sides of your bed. You will need at least 6-inches of clearance from the top of your bed rail to the bottom of the trailer to avoid contact between the trailer and the bed rails.

If these adapter adjustments are not enough to tow the trailer level and maintain space between top of bed rails and bottom of trailer overhang, then the trailer has to be raised at the axles using an over/under conversion kit or taller hangers. If the leaf spring stack on your travel trailer is currently mounted to the bottom of the axle, there is an over-under conversion kit that you could use to gain a few more inches of height. However, this will change the center of gravity on the trailer and can lead to an increased chance of trailer sway.

For 3-inch round axles you could use # K71-385-00. And for 2-3/8 inch round axles use # K71-384-00. This of course will only work if the leaf springs are mounted to the bottom of the trailer now. These kits will allow you to put the springs on top of the axle without flipping the axle. Welding may be necessary as it's strongly recommended the spring pads be tack welded into place.

Otherwise what you could do is use taller hangers. All of the hangers would have to be raised the same amount. So if you wanted another inch for example, each new hanger would have to be 1 inch taller than the current hangers. I have included a link to the hangers we carry.

If the trailer is being towed out of level it will increase stress on the hitch and the towing vehicle along with negatively affecting ride.

I added a FAQ and installation video link for you as well.

expert reply by: Chris B

0