Uncle Grumpy
Nebraska
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Joined: 01/16/2012
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New to 5th wheel setups and struggling to decide on a hitch. I recently purchased SWB truck(06Duramax) with a gooseneck ball already installed. My question is would leaving the ball in and having a Reese Sidewinder installed on the trailer along with a gooseneck adapter work? Any downsides? Have not found trailer yet but will likely be in the 28-31' range. This would save on installing a slider and there is a sidewinder available locally. I am also a couple of hours from any dealers. Any help would be appreciated.
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laknox
Arizona
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Uncle Grumpy wrote:New to 5th wheel setups and struggling to decide on a hitch. I recently purchased SWB truck(06Duramax) with a gooseneck ball already installed. My question is would leaving the ball in and having a Reese Sidewinder installed on the trailer along with a gooseneck adapter work? Any downsides? Have not found trailer yet but will likely be in the 28-31' range. This would save on installing a slider and there is a sidewinder available locally. I am also a couple of hours from any dealers. Any help would be appreciated.
If it's a B&W Turnover Ball already in the truck, you can't go wrong with the B&W Companion that fits right into the socket, when the ball is removed. With a SWB truck you =will= need to be careful when backing up, for sure, so you don't hit the cab with the trailer. If you're 4x4 Crew Cab, you almost certainly won't hit going forward; I know I can't with my '02. A lot of people will recommend a slider, then turn around and admit they hardly ever use it. Up to you to decide. B&W as a company is every bit as good as their hitches.
Lyle
2002 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax Crew Cab 4x4
Banks Bullet Tuner and Monster Exhaust
B&W Turnover Ball with 5th Wheel Companion
2004 Komfort 25FSG Fifth Wheel
1936 John Deere Model A
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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Gooseneck adapters and 5th wheel trailers........
5th wheel trailers have enough frame flex/stress on overhang without compounding it with a gooseneck adapter. Gooseneck trailers and 5th wheel trailers although similar are way different when it comes to structure/strength of overhangs.
That's one of the pluses about B&W turn-over with companion hitch....two separate/different hitch set-ups for proper use with the two different style trailers.
Ball and gooseneck foa a gooseneck trailer
King pin & plate hitch for a 5th wheel trailer
By now you should surmise I do not/would not use a gooseneck adapter.
My advice........NO
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Dr Quick
M'boro, Tn
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Joined: 08/25/2004
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I have also heard that a goose neck/ball is more difficult to hitch up, as you can not see down in the box to see the location of the hitch aligning up with the ball.
Also agree with Old-Biscuit in that putting a goose neck adapter on a standard 5Th wheel hitch puts unusual stress on the hitch with it was never designed for.
Dr Quick
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Peg Leg
Anderson, IN
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I agree with the B&W. FedEx just delivered my turnover ball today. Now after I get it installed I can seriously look for a 5er. I can barrow the BIL Companion to get one home. Then I'll get the Companion.
2012 Chevy 3500HD Dually 4X4
Crew Cab long bed 6.0 gasser 4.10
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Supreme Oppressor
Grande Prairie, Alberta
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Just so you know - the reese sidewinder will not work with a gooseneck adapter. The sidewinder moves the pivot point back and requires where the kingpin attaches to be solid. I believe the Companion mentioned above is not recommended to be used with the sidewinder as well.
2006 F350 6.0 diesel cc lb srw
2004 Jayco Jayflight 30.5BHS
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Uncle Grumpy
Nebraska
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The problem I have is that the ball is not a B&W. So I would have to unstall what is there and reinstall the B&W plus the companion. I know that the companion is highly thought of. The other option right now is that I found a pullright slider used for 500. Is this the way to go?
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Markrving
Byers, Colorado
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Hi Uncle Grumpy!
There is something you need to know about the Pull.Rite slider. You cannot unhook when truck to fifth wheel angle is more than 16 degrees. This can be limiting at times. Some will tell you just unhook the pins and drop the whole head; this is ridiculous. The B&W is the best however you need to be aware of the short bed pickup and turning into cab. If you buy a fifth wheel with chamfered corners on the front you may be ok. Another opinion. I have owned both. Mark
2010 Montana 3150. Chevrolet 2006 Duramax 2500 long bed 4x4 Michelin. B & W Companion. Goodyear Marathon Chinese Bombs gone, New B.F. Goodrich Commercial LT. Mark Allen
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mobilcastle
OH
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X2- B&W
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sure2rain
Sunbury, PA
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If you have a full size bed, you have the set-up for the B&W--go with that. However if you have a short bed, a slider would offer peace of mind instead of "you may be OK"
I have the Pullrite slider and have never had problem unhitching and if I ever do, pulling two pins is a lot quicker, less stressful and less expensive than replacing my rear window.
TV: 05 Chevy 2500 8.1L
5er: 2010 Open Range 385RLS
Hensley Arrow and P3
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