JARANDSTACE
BOUNTIFUL, UTAH, USA
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Joined: 09/24/2004
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i just bought a 2005 ford f-350 crewcab shortbox pickup. When i think of putting my sliding 5th wheel hitch in the box it makes me sick. I have a friend that has converted his 5th wheel into a goose neck . i sure am impressed with the fold away goose neck ball in his truck bed. I would like to know if i can install one of those style hitches in a short box? i like to go camping in remote locations so i need the turning ability. (hence the sliding hitch) if i mount a goose neck ball further back in the bed will it still tow correctly?
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chesapeakecowboy
eastern us
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Joined: 08/02/2002
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Mounting a gooseneck behind the rear wheels is just like mounting a 5th wheel behind the wheels, that is not a good thing. I have never seen a gooseneck in a shortbed, but that doesn't mean that someone has not done it. You also have to be careful about putting a gooseneck adapter on some 5vers. Most manufactures will void your warranty if this is the case. I too hate to drill unnecessary holes in my bed, but I wanted the 5ver more. I figure that I know the reason they are there and if I ever sell it, what do I care I wouldn't own it anymore. I did put the ubs in mine so that I have a completely empty bed when I remove the hitch. There may be company that makes a gooseneck slider but I have never seen one. Happy rving
2000 Ford f350,drw,7,3,4.10 gears,viper ground effects,foldacover,lund sunvisor, stull grille,custom console,onboard air,twin hadleys,air bags,Husky 16k hitch,4" exhaust,dptuner chip,autometer gauges,amsoil,open air intake,levelairs,2005 citation 32.5v
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RussC
South Louisiana
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Joined: 02/20/2004
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Don't know what type of hitch you have, but several maufactuerers are now making and adapter plate for a gooseneck that fits on the rails of your 5th wheel.
In other words you can tow a 5th wheel or gooseneck. I think both Reese and Husky now have these in production, about $ 150.00 I think.
Check the internet or your hitch dealer.
Russ & Sharon
2006 Ford F350 DRW Lariat 6.0 PSD TrqSfht 4WD CC LB "TB"4.30 
2004 Wilderness AdvantageX6 345RLTS (Triple Slide)
Happy Rving!!
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steveandjil
Westchester county, New York
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Joined: 09/09/2003
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There are also now a number of fifth wheel hitches which mount under the bed. Once you remove the hitch, there are only a few small holes. Only issue is removing the hitch.
Steve Schwartz
2003 Sierra 2500HD 6.6 Duramax/Allison
Sunnybrook 2850 Lite 5th wheel
Reese 16k Slider, Prodigy Break Controller
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pressgrove
Bellevue, OH
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Joined: 04/29/2004
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You're going to want to put the slider in. As stated here, many (most) RV manufacturers will void the warranty on your frame if you use a gooseneck adapter (Open Roads I'm told is one of the few that don't). The gooseneck adapter increases the leverage that the pinbox has on the frame causing more stress and the higher likelyhood of failure.
If you have no reason for a goosneck hitch, don't install one. It puts a much bigger hole in your bed than a fifth wheel hitch. Just install a sliding fifth wheel hitch. Some will tell you you don't need a slider if you have an extended pinbox, but I think the extra couple hundred bucks for a manual slider is well justified. If your rig is 8' wide, you're pin has to be more that 4' from the cab to turn 90 deg regardless of how long your pinbox is. Spending the extra dough to get an automatic slider is a matter of preference. I went manual, but many here will tell you that automatic is the only way to go (I tend to be cheap).
If you do need a gooseneck, and your towing something pretty light, I'd say get the adapter that fastens to the fifth wheel rails (even the Pullrite auto slider has one of these). If you're pulling somthing very heavy I'd get a separate gooseneck hitch. The adapters are a little too lightweight to suit me.
All my opinion, based on my experiences. Just trying to help you make your decision, not make it for you.
________________________________________
'03 F-250 Crew cab 4x4 Lariat, 6.0L PSD w/ TorqueShift. All stock. LineX spray-in.
'05 Crossroads Cruiser CF29BT
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BlackSilver
East of Heaven, North of Hell
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Joined: 12/18/2003
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I know others have said it, but let me emphasize......
Very few 5th wheel trailers are engineered to take the stress of a gooseneck hitch. Especially since you mention travel in "remote locations", check with your trailer factory to see if your trailer understructure is robust enough for this hitch style!
Hans, KØHB & Colleen, KØCKB
Master Chief Radioman, US Navy
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'04 Prairie Schooner 34FBR Platinum XL Camping Trailer
'08 3500HD Silverado Big Dooley LTZ Go-power by Max & Allie
My rig (Click)
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tbax46
Holly Lake Ranch, Tex.
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Joined: 04/20/2004
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Both pressgrove and blacksilver have given good advice.
The decision is yours, but be sure to check with your trailer manufacturer. It might void the warranty on your frame. Of course most are only under warranty for a year and after that you are responsible for it.
River Canyon, 34RLQSO
F-350, V-10, 4.30LS
Trailair pinbox & suspension
USN & 'Nam Vet
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Scuba Chop
Fredericksburg, VA
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Joined: 03/16/2004
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IMHO you are asking for trouble and being sick about a hitch in your bed is nothing compared to breaking somethng important while you're back in the hills, or customizing your cab the hard way. However, in the Good Sam Highways magazine there is an advertisement for a 5th wheel/gooseneck adapter from Popup, pg 80. Although, it does not appear as though it will work with a slider, which in many peoples opinion is important (don't know, I have a long bed, and I have almost made contact when backing too hard).
Jayco 3710
2004.5 Dodge Cummins, DRW, 4x4, 4.10, Auto, Quad Cab
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