Fifth wheel towing options

[Montecresto]

Yes, it replaces the pin box and connects to a gooseneck ball on the floor of the bed.

Pin box gone
View attachment 126321

Goosebox ready
View attachment 126322


Installed
View attachment 126323


Connected
View attachment 126324


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That looks cool. Is it height adjustable? And would it push the trailer back some from what I’ve got right now keeping it out of the cab???

 

[Admin]

 

[elkaholic]

Height adjustable, yes.

Pushes back a little yes. If you have the pick system you don’t have a choice of an offset ball like I do . This adds another 4” offset



I have to get to about 85 degrees to back into my driveway and I am close but OK

2017 F250 CCSB


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[elkaholic]

Pic connected






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Montecresto]

If you have the pick system you don’t have a choice of an offset ball like I do .

How do I know if I have that system? I posted a pic of a 5” offset ball in post 59.

 

[elkaholic]

How do I know if I have that system?

You will have 5 large holes in the bed such as this

https://carusarelease.info/wp-conte...y-inside-2017-ford-5th-wheel-prep-package.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Montecresto]

You will have 5 large holes in the bed such as this

https://carusarelease.info/wp-conte...y-inside-2017-ford-5th-wheel-prep-package.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I do have that, damn. Why is it that the offset ball can’t be dropped into the same hole that the straight ball is in??

 

[elkaholic]

Best bet, in my opinion, then is a B&W Companion Slider.

Just remember to slide it back when you have to make tight maneuvers and put it in normal position for normal maneuvers.

That said, I know folks that tow with a goosebox on a standard ball and they just are careful on sharp turns. A gooseneck connection has more flexibility which is important if your gonna pull into unlevel surfaces (more likely to do that than with a toy hauler than a regular camper)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Montecresto]

That said, I know folks that tow with a goosebox on a standard ball and they just are careful on sharp turns.

I can do that with the set up I have now, learned that the hard way. I’m just not a fan of the sliders. Seen too many guys pull into Talladega with damage from slider malfunctions.

The link I posted in the op claims a 90* turn with short bed trucks (btw, I’ve got a bed length between short and long) no sliding and no contact between cab and RV....

I’m just hoping that somebody stumbles upon this thread that has used it and can give me a review.

At this point I’m not sure the Goosebox will do that.

 

[Vikes79]

Wondering about this seemingly simple and inexpensive solution. 5” offset, would have kept me out of the cab.....???


View attachment 126329

That is the same offset adapter I used on my AUH with my old camper. The pic I placed earlier is without it and how I towed my camper to the dealer this past Saturday. When I pick it up I will try full 90 turns and report back with measurements.

I don’t have the ford puck system. I have a modified Drawtite hide a goose system. Similar to B&W.

The offset adapter may make the difference. The only way to tell is to re hook your rig and have a buddy help you in a parking lot. See where you are at and then see what moving the pin back with a tape would look like.

When you crushed your cab, were you in a situation where the truck and trailer were in a V shape (front truck and trailer tires higher than rear truck tires)? This is something to watch for as well.

 

[Vikes79]

Dude just saw your note about your blowout...man you are having some bad luck!

 

[Bradley-Thornton]

Wondering about this seemingly simple and inexpensive solution. 5” offset, would have kept me out of the cab.....???


View attachment 126329

For the money I don't see how you can beat this. But the one thing to keep in mind is your camper want be sitting over your rear axle anymore may not matter or it may end up. Lifting the front some and lowering the back. If this happens you will need air bags. I have air bags and I can tell you regardless they are stupid nice when your get on bad roads.

 

[Montecresto]

That is the same offset adapter I used on my AUH with my old camper. The pic I placed earlier is without it and how I towed my camper to the dealer this past Saturday. When I pick it up I will try full 90 turns and report back with measurements.

Awesome, but if I understood @elkaholic correctly, I believe he’s saying that I wouldn’t be able to use that offset ball in my truck???? Sure would simplify things.

 

[Montecresto]

Dude just saw your note about your blowout...man you are having some bad luck!

Yep, damaged the RV with that too.

 

[Montecresto]

When you crushed your cab, were you in a situation where the truck and trailer were in a V shape (front truck and trailer tires higher than rear truck tires)? This is something to watch for as well.

No, or if it was, it was ever so slightly. 2” would have made the difference, the 5” that the offset ball provides I’m satisfied would do the trick. I had my wheels turned full lock, and want to be able to do that with whatever set up I settle on.

I have a question in to the manufacturer of the offset ball to see if it will work on my truck.

 

[Montecresto]

For the money I don't see how you can beat this. But the one thing to keep in mind is your camper want be sitting over your rear axle anymore may not matter or it may end up. Lifting the front some and lowering the back. If this happens you will need air bags. I have air bags and I can tell you regardless they are stupid nice when your get on bad roads.

I’m hauling a dozer around a little these days also. I definitely plan on the air bags. The ball is presently 2” forward of dead center on the axle now, and I’m thinking 3” rear of dead center probably won’t be a problem. For the price it’s worth the try. But I still need to know that it will even work on my 2018 Ford super duty.

 

[Vikes79]

Awesome, but if I understood @elkaholic correctly, I believe he’s saying that I wouldn’t be able to use that offset ball in my truck???? Sure would simplify things.

Unfortunately that is the downside to the factory setup no offset gooseneck available.

Adding a offset to your existing adapter will not help as now the king box will most like hit your box rails and won’t help your angle. It will just extend the contact point out.

Options as I see them:

You could stay with what you have.

You could go with a Goosebox, which will help your warranty, but really may not be any better turning wise.

You could go AUH which does move back the connection point.

Or you could go with a Fifth wheel slider that drops into your puck system.

Other option would be that blue ox setup I posted earlier. It’s claim is that it breaks down easy into light weight parts.

 

[Vikes79]

For the money I don't see how you can beat this. But the one thing to keep in mind is your camper want be sitting over your rear axle anymore may not matter or it may end up. Lifting the front some and lowering the back. If this happens you will need air bags. I have air bags and I can tell you regardless they are stupid nice when your get on bad roads.

I agree. I have a airlift wireless and the 5000xl bags. It really takes a lot of the jounce out. Down side is can make the oem rear shocks hunt a bit.

I have a set of Rancho 9000xl shocks ready to install tonight. Loved them on my former F250. Crank them to 9 for towing, 3 for everything else.

 

[Montecresto]

Unfortunately that is the downside to the factory setup no offset gooseneck available.

Adding a offset to your existing adapter will not help as now the king box will most like hit your box rails and won’t help your angle. It will just extend the contact point out.

Options as I see them:

You could stay with what you have.

You could go with a Goosebox, which will help your warranty, but really may not be any better turning wise.

You could go AUH which does move back the connection point.

Or you could go with a Fifth wheel slider that drops into your puck system.

Other option would be that blue ox setup I posted earlier. It’s claim is that it breaks down easy into light weight parts.

Hmmmm. Have you looked at the system I posted in the op or 2nd post??

 

[Montecresto]

Adding a offset to your existing adapter will not help as now the king box will most like hit your box rails and won’t help your angle. It will just extend the contact point out.

Not sure I understand this????

 

[Vikes79]

I do have that, damn. Why is it that the offset ball can’t be dropped into the same hole that the straight ball is in??

I believe it is because of the push button detent on the factory ball.

All other systems have a lever connected to a pin that goes through the goose ball. This lever is usually in the drivers wheel well.