F350 6.75’ Bed and Gooseneck Conversion

[Turfengineer]

This may not be the best location for my question but here we go….

I am looking at a 2023 Avenue 32RSL and my tow vehicle is a 2022 F350 6.75’ bed. Since I routinely tow a gooseneck, I would prefer to use a gooseneck on a fifth wheel travel trailer. I am interested in opinions on a few components:

B&W 4” offset ball
Reese gooseneck (appears not compatible)
Gen-Y gooseneck pin box (fits rhino box)

Has anyone used an offset ball with a Gen-y gooseneck pin box conversion? How did it tow? How did it turn? Any issues with a standard bed F350 other than possible being limited on extreme turns?

As I understand it, the Gen-Y product is not approved by Lippert for use with their frame. Has this changed revelry?

Thank you for all replies.

 

[DanNJanice]

I know this is not the components you are looking at.
However, I use the Anderson Ultimate hitch on mine and I really like it. It weights just 40lbs and I can take on/off in about 5 minutes by myself. Once removed, the original 5th wheel ball is still mounted in the bed of the truck. My truck has the factory gooseneck setup from Ford and it fit perfectly. I have never tried to jackknife it, but I bet I could get very close to 90deg with my 6.5ft bed.

 

[Spanter]

I have 2022 Alliance Ave with the reese gooseneck 20K with 4"offset ball on my Ram Cummins short bed it is compatable and We love it! it will get pretty close to 90 Degrees.

 

[Turfengineer]

Looking on E-trailer, I cannot find the version that is listed as rhino box compatible. I’ll keep looking, thanks for the info.

 

[Turfengineer]

The B&W 4” offset ball and 3rd Gen Goosebox worked really well on my way home from picking up the rig. I think I may make one more adjustment, but I got in home.

 

[CornCrib]

The B&W 4” offset ball and 3rd Gen Goosebox worked really well on my way home from picking up the rig. I think I may make one more adjustment, but I got in home.

how close to 90 deg can you get? Wondering if this is a better setup than the Anderson, in avoiding contact with the back window (asking for a friend ;-)

 

[Turfengineer]

I got basically to 80-85 degrees in the dealer parking lot but I had a long drive ahead of me so I didn’t get pics or dig into it as much as I should have. My gut tells me 90 degrees is possible on level ground.

I will have the rig out this weekend and I will try to get more precise info for you then.

 

[jknight]

This may not be the best location for my question but here we go….

I am looking at a 2023 Avenue 32RSL and my tow vehicle is a 2022 F350 6.75’ bed. Since I routinely tow a gooseneck, I would prefer to use a gooseneck on a fifth wheel travel trailer. I am interested in opinions on a few components:

B&W 4” offset ball
Reese gooseneck (appears not compatible)
Gen-Y gooseneck pin box (fits rhino box)

Has anyone used an offset ball with a Gen-y gooseneck pin box conversion? How did it tow? How did it turn? Any issues with a standard bed F350 other than possible being limited on extreme turns?

As I understand it, the Gen-Y product is not approved by Lippert for use with their frame. Has this changed revelry?

Thank you for all replies.

If you have the factory puck system Gen-y makes this. https://genyhitch.com/product/goosepuck/

 

[svanarts]

Is the front cap of the Alliance trailers radiused enough to miss hitting the cab using say an Anderson hitch? Level ground of course.
And is there much of a difference in the front caps of the Avenue and the Paradigm?

 

[CornCrib]

Re: Avenue 32RLS and Anderson .. .I have a 2022 F350 SB. I can get pretty close to 90, but not to 90. The cap will touch the back window before 90.

 

[svanarts]

That's good to know. I don't even know of a situation where you'd need to go 90 degrees. My travel trailer sure as heck won't go 90 degrees.

 

[reactancexl]

I am looking at getting the Reese Goosebox, with the Gen-Y 5 inch offset (2025 Ford with OEM Puck system 6.75. bed). I am assuming getting a offset whether 4 or 5 inch would be necessary to be safe? Agree?

2024 Paradigm 380MP

 

[ktdtx]

I'm not sure how safe it is but, works for me...so far. I have a 2025 F-250 short bed with the Reese Goosebox 20k and the B&W ball in the Ford OEM holes in the bed. So far, no problems but I have avoided trying maximum turns while backing

 

[reactancexl]

ok, i keep going back and forth on whether to keep a 5th wheel hitch or go to gooseneck. I was almost decided when i thought about "How does a gooseneck on a 5th wheel tow ni crosswinds? A 5th wheel hitch handles that quite nicely. Those with goosnecks 5th wheels how does it handle in crosswinds? thx

 

[Bricknhank]

ok, i keep going back and forth on whether to keep a 5th wheel hitch or go to gooseneck. I was almost decided when i thought about "How does a gooseneck on a 5th wheel tow ni crosswinds? A 5th wheel hitch handles that quite nicely. Those with goosnecks 5th wheels how does it handle in crosswinds? thx

I am in the same boat as you. 2025 32RLS and GMC 3500 CC SRW standard bed (82"). I currently have a B&W companion and I love everything about it however I come dangerously close to kissing the rear of the cab when backing into a tight spot. I can remove the Companion by myself and I really don't want to get a slider because they are getting too heavy to remove when not camping. I am thinking about a Reese Gooseball with an offset ball but Im just not sure if it will feel as stable as my Companion. So I'll wait with you for answers from the Goosebox people.

 

[M and E]

This is what AI says.

The Basics

When towing a fifth wheel trailer, you typically have two hitch options:

✅ Traditional Fifth Wheel Hitch

• Mounts to rails in the truck bed.
• Provides a broad, flat coupling plate similar to a semi-truck.
• Usually rated for heavy loads and designed specifically for RV use.
• 
  
• Gooseneck Adapter (Ball Hitch)
• Uses a ball hitch (like horse trailers or flatbeds).
• Often attaches via an adapter to the kingpin of the fifth wheel.
• Allows the trailer to pivot in multiple planes, but usually involves an extra lever-arm (due to the adapter).

Crosswind Handling: Key Points


Crosswind performance depends on:

• Trailer articulation (yaw control)
• Vertical pivot point (height of the pivot)
• Overall coupling rigidity

Traditional Fifth Wheel Hitch

✅ Sits lower in the truck bed, which typically means a lower pivot point — this reduces the lever-arm effect of crosswinds pushing on the trailer.


✅ Provides a stable, semi-truck-like connection, resisting side-to-side sway better because of the large flat plate contact.


✅ Usually better at distributing lateral loads across a larger footprint, giving more controlled response to gusts.

Gooseneck Adapter

⚠️ Typically has a higher pivot point — the ball sits above the bed floor. This means crosswinds can exert a slightly longer lever-arm, amplifying sway.


⚠️ Because the trailer is on a ball rather than a plate, it’s easier for the trailer to yaw or pivot in gusty conditions.


⚠️ Many adapters add some flexibility, which can introduce extra play in the coupling, amplifying trailer movement.

Verdict
All else being equal (truck, trailer, load, tire pressure, etc.), a traditional fifth wheel hitch will generally handle crosswinds better than a gooseneck adapter setup. The fifth wheel hitch’s lower pivot point and more stable connection provide better resistance to lateral sway and less sensitivity to crosswind-induced yaw.

 

[reactancexl]

well I am on my journey to the goosebox. After talking to people who have it love it. Unfortunately I will not be able to see for myself, as I will not be towing until end of September. I did purchase the Gen-y 5"inch offset ball for bed and ready to get the goosebox(reese) here in couple weeks and mount it on the 5th wheel. Lippert will warranty the reese if there is an issue as my trailer is year old. They are eval the gen-y hitch currently. One thing on the gen-y is there is a "break-in" period of around 1K miles, for it to loosen up. That has been the consensus of people who own them and also like that hitch also. Will let forum know how this works out for me later this year. thanks for the responses.

 

[WE3ZS]

This is what AI says.

The Basics

When towing a fifth wheel trailer, you typically have two hitch options:

✅ Traditional Fifth Wheel Hitch

• Mounts to rails in the truck bed.
• Provides a broad, flat coupling plate similar to a semi-truck.
• Usually rated for heavy loads and designed specifically for RV use.
• 
  
• Gooseneck Adapter (Ball Hitch)
• Uses a ball hitch (like horse trailers or flatbeds).
• Often attaches via an adapter to the kingpin of the fifth wheel.
• Allows the trailer to pivot in multiple planes, but usually involves an extra lever-arm (due to the adapter).

Crosswind Handling: Key Points


Crosswind performance depends on:

• Trailer articulation (yaw control)
• Vertical pivot point (height of the pivot)
• Overall coupling rigidity

Traditional Fifth Wheel Hitch

✅ Sits lower in the truck bed, which typically means a lower pivot point — this reduces the lever-arm effect of crosswinds pushing on the trailer.


✅ Provides a stable, semi-truck-like connection, resisting side-to-side sway better because of the large flat plate contact.


✅ Usually better at distributing lateral loads across a larger footprint, giving more controlled response to gusts.

Gooseneck Adapter

⚠️ Typically has a higher pivot point — the ball sits above the bed floor. This means crosswinds can exert a slightly longer lever-arm, amplifying sway.


⚠️ Because the trailer is on a ball rather than a plate, it’s easier for the trailer to yaw or pivot in gusty conditions.


⚠️ Many adapters add some flexibility, which can introduce extra play in the coupling, amplifying trailer movement.

Verdict
All else being equal (truck, trailer, load, tire pressure, etc.), a traditional fifth wheel hitch will generally handle crosswinds better than a gooseneck adapter setup. The fifth wheel hitch’s lower pivot point and more stable connection provide better resistance to lateral sway and less sensitivity to crosswind-induced yaw.

Yep, good old AI really knows its stuff…………. A traditional fifth wheel hitch has a LOWER pivot point than a gooseneck? Really? The goose pivots at the floor of the truck. I prefer the other AI, you know, Actual Intelligence.

 

[M and E]

Yep, good old AI really knows its stuff…………. A traditional fifth wheel hitch has a LOWER pivot point than a gooseneck? Really? The goose pivots at the floor of the truck. I prefer the other AI, you know, Actual Intelligence.

Sorry. I just saw this. Good call out! I called out the robot on its error that you found! This is what it says.
Absolutely — here's the corrected side view diagram with accurate pivot point heights for a traditional fifth wheel hitch vs. a gooseneck adapter setup:

---

🔧 Corrected Side View Diagram: Pivot Point Comparison​

[Traditional Fifth Wheel Hitch Setup] [Gooseneck Adapter Setup]

Trailer Pin Box Trailer Pin Box
|| ||
______||_________ ______||_________
| Fifth Wheel Plate | | Adapter Tube |
|___________________| | || Ball |
|| || | VV
[Pivot] (6–10") [Pivot] (2–3")
|| ||
Truck Bed Truck Bed

---

🔍 Key Differences Now Clearly Shown:​

Feature	Fifth Wheel Hitch	Gooseneck Adapter
Pivot Point	~6–10 inches above truck bed	~2–3 inches above truck bed (at the ball)
Type of Coupling	Flat plate + kingpin (tight connection)	Ball hitch + adapter (more articulation)
Yaw Resistance	High (due to broad surface)	Lower (due to point contact and more flex)
Sway Control	Superior	Potentially more sway depending on adapter

---

✅ Bottom Line (Now Corrected):​

While a gooseneck setup has a lower pivot point, the fifth wheel hitch still generally handles crosswinds better — not because of pivot height, but due to rigid, wide-area coupling that resists lateral movement and yaw.
Let me know if you'd like a visual graphic version of this diagram (side profile) for reference or presentation.

Ask ChatGPT

You said:​

So which one is better in crosswinds now that you have the right logic

ChatGPT said:​

Now that we’ve corrected the logic about the pivot point height, here’s the updated and accurate verdict on crosswind handling between a traditional fifth wheel hitch and a gooseneck adapter setup:

---

✅ Crosswind Handling Verdict (with Correct Logic)​

Even though the gooseneck adapter has a lower pivot point, a traditional fifth wheel hitch still handles crosswinds better overall.

---

🔍 Why the Fifth Wheel Hitch Still Wins:​

Factor	Fifth Wheel Hitch	Gooseneck Adapter
Pivot Height	Higher (~6–10")	Lower (~2–3")
Yaw Resistance	✅ Strong — flat plate resists trailer twist	⚠️ Weaker — ball allows more rotation
Coupling Rigidity	✅ Tight jaw-to-pin fit	⚠️ Some slop or flex in adapter setups
Lateral Load Distribution	✅ Broad, stable platform	⚠️ Point load on ball — more sensitive to sway
Control in Gusts	✅ Better damping and feedback	⚠️ More susceptible to “snap” yaw

---

🧠 The Bottom Line:​

While the pivot point height favors the gooseneck slightly in leverage theory, that advantage is outweighed by the fifth wheel's superior mechanical stability:

• The fifth wheel hitch’s wide contact surface better resists rotational forces (yaw) from crosswinds.
• The rigid jaw and plate coupling offers less movement, less sway, and smoother feedback to the truck.
• Gooseneck adapters, especially cheaper or drop-in types, often introduce flex or slack, which can amplify trailer motion under gusty conditions.

---

🎯 Final Answer:​

The traditional fifth wheel hitch is still better in crosswinds, even though its pivot point is higher. It’s the rigid, semi-truck-style coupling geometry that makes the difference — not the pivot height.

 

[Lantley]

That's the inherent problem with AI. If I can't trust it or take it for face value? why use it? if I have to correct it AI becomes just more erroneous info.