So what am I now towing?
- Thread starter LarryFOA
- Start date
BryanValRox
Elite Member
Is there further context to your question? Are you trying to decide on a truck setting for one of your safety settings?
Is it a 5th wheel or is it now a gooseneck? Ford lists different weights for 5th wheel and for gooseneck.
What makes the distinction?
BryanValRox
Elite Member
Well, a really great question. I am sure the response will end up being a house divided.
I will give my .02 cents and come down in the fifth wheel camp. Your rig was purpose built as a fifth wheel.
Personally, I don’t feel the pin box conversion to a goose neck hitch would significantly impact the towing numbers. If anything, generally speaking, the removal of the 5th wheel hitch in the truck would free up some capacity, which likely is a least one reason goosenecks have a higher truck rating.
Many Goose neck OEM trailer designs have an “ARM” design with longer extension over the bed.
Only offering an opinion, as I am not well versed in the engineering differences between the two.
But the topic should drive a lively discussion.
I will give my .02 cents and come down in the fifth wheel camp. Your rig was purpose built as a fifth wheel.
Personally, I don’t feel the pin box conversion to a goose neck hitch would significantly impact the towing numbers. If anything, generally speaking, the removal of the 5th wheel hitch in the truck would free up some capacity, which likely is a least one reason goosenecks have a higher truck rating.
Many Goose neck OEM trailer designs have an “ARM” design with longer extension over the bed.
Only offering an opinion, as I am not well versed in the engineering differences between the two.
But the topic should drive a lively discussion.
Flyer32RLS
Well-known member
The only thing I can think of that might be different is that a true gooseneck trailer that I have seen normally has a pretty large supporting frame that goes up spreading and back at a somewhat larger width than the king pin area on a 5th wheel. I believe that people are calling it that as the way it connects to the truck. Other than that, I haven't a clue and only guessing at that. Like the car haulers that I see. Pretty heavity construction going back.
Bryan...I asked that question at the Ford towing course I took at the Tampa show earlier in the year. The engineers who designed fords towing tech were who I asked. They both answered with 100% certainty, the connection type determines the category of trailer.
BryanValRox
Elite Member
Mike, thanks for the clarity.
Would have any insight on why the truck towing capacity gets rerated based on the hitch type?
Hope all is well!