Just livin 4 him
Heber Springs, Arkansas
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Hey is anyone out there? Kinda new to this. I am not sure if a straight adapter or angled version is what I need. I am purchasing a 2003 Chevy 2500HD crew cab 4x4 short bed duramax and a 2006 Keystone Challenger 34TBH. The truck has the B&W turnover ball and this is how I wish to tow to free up bed space. Any help will be appreciated.
Stephen
2003 Chevy 2500HD/crew cab/4x4/LT/DuramaxDiesel/rhino liner/B&W turnover ball
2006 Keystone Challenger/34TBH/
Me, Stephen/ 1st wife Kristi(still hangin on) Son Chase 8/ Daughter Darci 5/ Little Bit due December 26 (If I catch the milkman i'll kill em)
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donhov
near Jackson Michigan
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OK, I'll say it first. Are you sure the trailer manufacturer will cover warranty of the frame if you use the goose neck adapter. Other wise it should be great if you free up some box room for hauling other items.
Good luck but check just incase on the warranty issue. If it is a problem I believe that B&W has a fifth wheel companion hitch that fits the B&W ball system that should cure the issue if in doubt.
* This post was
edited 07/15/08 09:22pm by donhov *
2003 Cedar Creek 30RLBS
2007 Dodge 5.9 Cummins Turbo Diesel 325hp/610Tq
4x4 3.73 axles short bed
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Humpty
Clayton, NC
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You need B&W's Companion 5th wheel hitch not an adaptor
2007 Challenger 33DBB w/ Sidewinder
2002 Chevy 3500 CC DRW D/A
B&W Companion Hitch / Prodigy
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Just livin 4 him
Heber Springs, Arkansas
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Hey thanks for the info. The guy I am purchasing the camper from has a B&W adapter also. However, on line the pictures I see they still look like they take up a lot of bed space. I know I could just put it in and go but I really think I will need me bed space. Also is the B&W adapter adjustable on height and will I get that extra tight turning radius that is all the fuss on these new 2009 models.
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donhov
near Jackson Michigan
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No you will not get extra turning radius on any of the above options. The only way you can get more turning radius is to have a slider hitch and have it slid back. Your goosneck adapter won't give you turning radius anymore that the 5th wheel companion. To get the additional turning radius you need a Reese slider, manually operated, or anyone of many like hitches that must be slid prior to getting in to tight of a turn or a PullRite automatic slider that can get quite pricy but it senses when you need additional clearance while turning and adjusts itself accordingly. Care & caution and a big poaking lot to see how far you can turn without doing any cab damage is a very good idea and go from there to see what might work for you. The bed space might be important but the possibality of a damaged frame from the goose neck or a crushed cab corner or broken rear window could be more costly than the hitch installation cost. Many of the newer hitches can be installed below the bed with only a few holes in the bed, without rails in the bed if that is an issue. Look at many posts concerning this subject and you can read for hours and still not get a concensis or opinion as each has good points and bad points.
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SkiDood
Peoples Republic of Minnesota
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donhov wrote:No you will not get extra turning radius on any of the above options. The only way you can get more turning radius is to have a slider hitch and have it slid back. Your goosneck adapter won't give you turning radius anymore that the 5th wheel companion. To get the additional turning radius you need a Reese slider, manually operated, or anyone of many like hitches that must be slid prior to getting in to tight of a turn or a PullRite automatic slider that can get quite pricy but it senses when you need additional clearance while turning and adjusts itself accordingly. Care & caution and a big poaking lot to see how far you can turn without doing any cab damage is a very good idea and go from there to see what might work for you. The bed space might be important but the possibality of a damaged frame from the goose neck or a crushed cab corner or broken rear window could be more costly than the hitch installation cost. Many of the newer hitches can be installed below the bed with only a few holes in the bed, without rails in the bed if that is an issue. Look at many posts concerning this subject and you can read for hours and still not get a concensis or opinion as each has good points and bad points.
What he said.
I'll also add, look around at campgrounds. How many goose adapters do you see? If they were "all that" everyone would have one. But in fact almost no one has them. What does that tell a person.
It's all about leverage. Keep your forces in a straight line(as much as possible) on a 5th wheel trailer, they are built quite different than a goose neck trailer.
JMHO.
Late model wife
2002 Daughter
2005 Daughter
2007 Ram 3500srw 5.9L Cummins Laramie. QC Short bed.
2008 Crossroads Zinger 30RB 5th wheel.
18k Reese signature series slide hitch
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Aktravler
Retired from Alaska, On the road
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Warranty is not really the issue, the OP states that the fiver is an 06 model year, so it will not have a warranty.
To me the important issue even with a new warranted rig is frame damage.
The vast majority of fiver's are not designed for the use of a goose neck hitch.
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noman'sland
Boise City OK
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I have used a GN on two rigs that I've had, no problems. In our part of the country many folks use a GN, about a third of the rigs in our small town run that way. That said, you do need to worry about the frame, many trailers are not strong enough to handle the stress of the GN. I added the companion to my rig because I got tired of crawling in and out to hook, unhook the chains, which you do need.My personal view si that more of the trailer builders should make a kit for those that want to use a GN, and let them reinforce the frame if it is needed. The GN will run a little bit smoother, but it also requires more care in hooking up. Like I said mine ran for several thousand miles, including a juant to Alasaka, with never a bit of trouble. So if you do be warned. By the way there is a slider that will work with a B&W made by Colibert, there's an ad in Trailer Life.
Vernon & Martha
02 F250 PSD 7.3 4x4
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dennisncherry
Pioche, NV
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We have another diesel truck and two more trailers that came with GN set ups. When we purchased our fifth wheel we had the people put a GN on it so that we would be compatible with all of our other equipment. I feel safe hauling everything that I have with the GN on it.
97 F250 Powerstroke Diesel John Wood towmaster tranny 1998 Prowler 34 5Y Toy Poodle "Jasmine"
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fpresto
Maryland
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Having seen a goose neck trailer and a 5th wheel side by side with the front caps off there is no comparision. The frame of the 5th wheel is just not designed to handle the stress. It was made of much lighter material, had fewer crossmembers and stiffeners. I think part of the reason is the intended use. The lighter that a 5th wheel manufacturer can make the unit the wider his potential market becomes while generally that is not as big an issue in the smaller goose neck market.
I realize that some people do tow with the GN adapters with no obvious problems and as long as you stay on smooth roads and don't end up in a situation where the truck is twisting one way and the trailer the other you might get away with it but for me I had too much invested to risk it.
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2008 F350, DRW, V-10, B&W hitch,
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