A Beginners Guide to 5th Wheel & Gooseneck Hitches
Towing is a nation-wide occurrence.
Millions haul tow trailers, boats, cars and more.
But, for newcomers, choosing the proper hitch mount can be challenging.
Don't get stuck with the wrong hitch and a disaster of a trip.
If you're hauling a large load, you're most likely hmm-ing and haw-ing between a 5th wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch - let us help you solve that mini-dilemma.
First, let's take a look at the 5th wheel hitch.
They are the strongest of all hitches you can buy for your ride.
Commonly, they are used to tow livestock trailers or RVs.
The hitch is mounted in the bed of the pickup, and it is ready for the massive loads you're about to throw at it.
Here are some of the advantages of a 5th wheel: 1.
Easy to Maneuver: Since it is mounted inside the bed of the truck, it makes it easier to turn corners.
And, when you're already pulling all that junk in your rear, you can use all the mobility you can get.
2.
Stability: These hitches make the trailers far more stable than most hitches.
3.
Capacity: With a 5th wheel hitch, you can haul heavy-duty loads.
In fact, it is no coincidence that they resembled the same hitches that 18-wheeler semi-trucks use! 4.
Safer: For a beginner, it is much easier and safer to use a 5th wheel hitch.
Now that you have an understanding of the 5th wheel, let's take a closer look at the gooseneck hitches.
Keep in mind the gooseneck is not made for every job, here are some things to consider when choosing hitches.
1.
Capacity: They are second only to the 5th wheels when discussing capacity.
They can handle up to 30,000 lbs; perfect for heavy trailers.
2.
Specific Trailers: Does your trailer have a front end which protrudes out further? If so, the gooseneck is for you! 3.
Mounting: Since they are mounted in the middle of the truck bed rather than the rear, drivers can make sharper turns.
4.
Not for beginners: Installing a gooseneck hitch is complicated.
It requires the removal of the truck bed to install the frame which will hold the ball in place.
It also requires drilling, which many people do not want to do to their ride.
Keep in mind that this extra effort results in a much stronger hitch than a normal ball hitch.
5.
Goosenecks are available in varied classes to be perfect for the amount of weight you're planning to tow.
Now that you have an idea about the capacity, mobility, specific uses and installation techniques-you should have a better understanding of which type of hitch you need for a safe and fun towing experience! Happy towing!
Millions haul tow trailers, boats, cars and more.
But, for newcomers, choosing the proper hitch mount can be challenging.
Don't get stuck with the wrong hitch and a disaster of a trip.
If you're hauling a large load, you're most likely hmm-ing and haw-ing between a 5th wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch - let us help you solve that mini-dilemma.
First, let's take a look at the 5th wheel hitch.
They are the strongest of all hitches you can buy for your ride.
Commonly, they are used to tow livestock trailers or RVs.
The hitch is mounted in the bed of the pickup, and it is ready for the massive loads you're about to throw at it.
Here are some of the advantages of a 5th wheel: 1.
Easy to Maneuver: Since it is mounted inside the bed of the truck, it makes it easier to turn corners.
And, when you're already pulling all that junk in your rear, you can use all the mobility you can get.
2.
Stability: These hitches make the trailers far more stable than most hitches.
3.
Capacity: With a 5th wheel hitch, you can haul heavy-duty loads.
In fact, it is no coincidence that they resembled the same hitches that 18-wheeler semi-trucks use! 4.
Safer: For a beginner, it is much easier and safer to use a 5th wheel hitch.
Now that you have an understanding of the 5th wheel, let's take a closer look at the gooseneck hitches.
Keep in mind the gooseneck is not made for every job, here are some things to consider when choosing hitches.
1.
Capacity: They are second only to the 5th wheels when discussing capacity.
They can handle up to 30,000 lbs; perfect for heavy trailers.
2.
Specific Trailers: Does your trailer have a front end which protrudes out further? If so, the gooseneck is for you! 3.
Mounting: Since they are mounted in the middle of the truck bed rather than the rear, drivers can make sharper turns.
4.
Not for beginners: Installing a gooseneck hitch is complicated.
It requires the removal of the truck bed to install the frame which will hold the ball in place.
It also requires drilling, which many people do not want to do to their ride.
Keep in mind that this extra effort results in a much stronger hitch than a normal ball hitch.
5.
Goosenecks are available in varied classes to be perfect for the amount of weight you're planning to tow.
Now that you have an idea about the capacity, mobility, specific uses and installation techniques-you should have a better understanding of which type of hitch you need for a safe and fun towing experience! Happy towing!