I want a different fifth wheel mount - Diesel Forum

415_dezl · 05-01-2009, 12:46 AM

Well i will have my new truck bed installed next week, because i destroyed my last one when the 5er fell on it. *my fault, i know*

I currently have a Husky 24K roller hitch (not needed, but came free with the trailer) It uses the two universal rails. Is there any way to get an under bed mounting system for the hitch I currently have? Can i buy a modified bottom portion with a different mounting system? Or do I have to stick with the rails. I really dont like them in there, as i haul a Lance camper sometimes and they get in the way. Thanks for any help!

By the way, remember to latch / lock in your trailers please. ...what a nightmare!

gmoore · 05-01-2009, 01:03 AM

The problem with most under bed mounts, you have 4 - 1 1/2" to 2" holes (for the rail bolts to go thru). You might want to look into B&W or Colibert gooseneck/fifthwheel combinations. B&W turnover ball gooseneck with the B&W Companion fifthwheel hitch is probably the most popular of the two brands. With either, you have a 4" hole (filled with gooseneck hitch-but level with the rest of the bed) in the center of your bed.

You could sell your Husky hitch on Ebay or Craigslist.

Good luck

**SmokeyWren** · 05-01-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 415_dezl

Is there any way to get an under bed mounting system for the hitch I currently have?

Anything is possible if you throw enough money at it. But for a reasonable investment, no.

If you have a long bed, you could buy a new B&W TurnOverBall gooseneck hitch, plus the Companion 5er hitch. Then when you remove the 5er hitch, there wouldn't be anything in the bed but a big covered hole.
B&W Custom Truck Beds, Inc.

Quote:

Or do I have to stick with the rails. I really dont like them in there, as i haul a Lance camper sometimes and they get in the way.

With proper tools, it requires only a few minutes to remove the bedrails. Remove only the nuts on the bolts that go thru the bed. Leave the "L" pieces attached to the frame. Remove the rails, then put those bolts back in to cover the holes in the bed (and to be sure you don't misplace the bolts and nuts and washers.

415_dezl · 05-01-2009, 12:13 PM

Thank both of you for the info! Smokey Wren, yeah i removed them with a 1" impact , no sweat, it's just i like to run a bedliner (throw a lot of tile and bricks in there) and the rails cause somewhat of a pain for that application. I'll look into both colibert and B & W. HOw much do you think i could sell a husky 24k roller for? Also, i dont' want to go less than @ 20K on the hitch. Thanks again!

SIC-E · 05-01-2009, 12:15 PM

what about having a spacer frame of wood or ? (to match height of rails) to throw in before you install your lance? would be my route unless a lot of other issues. good luck

415_dezl · 05-01-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIC-E

what about having a spacer frame of wood or ? (to match height of rails) to throw in before you install your lance? would be my route unless a lot of other issues. good luck

Yes that's what i have now. It just allows alot of debris to get into the cutout in the bedliner. I am looking at the mentioned hitches, looks like they only go up to 18 K

I understand that's above my trucks rating, but i'd like the added insurance..especially since i tow offroad and through sand sometimes.

fordsforever73 · 05-01-2009, 12:23 PM

I've got the Colibert adapter on my 5th wheel. What an awesome option to have as I was in the same predicament as you, with having a camper as well. The Colibert I have is rated for 30K. A lot of 5'er haulers that have seen mine wished they had put a gooseneck with adapter in as it leaves a lot of room in the box for haulin' other crap plus leaves the box "totally" empty when the gooseneck ball is flipped over.

415_dezl · 05-03-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordsforever73

I've got the Colibert adapter on my 5th wheel. What an awesome option to have as I was in the same predicament as you, with having a camper as well. The Colibert I have is rated for 30K. A lot of 5'er haulers that have seen mine wished they had put a gooseneck with adapter in as it leaves a lot of room in the box for haulin' other crap plus leaves the box "totally" empty when the gooseneck ball is flipped over.

Ok, i was wondering how much weight those fifth wheel adapters can take..because i won't go less than 24K ish.

Very tempting! Who wants to buy my 24k husky roller hitch? LOL

RLDSL · 05-10-2009, 02:49 AM

Yes, goosenecks are rated much higher than most 5th wheels, that's why all the big horse and car hauler trailers are mostly goosenecks, aside from the fact that you get better articulation with the trailer so the thing doesn't get in a bind.

You could also go to a local trailer builder and have a gooseneck coupler welded to your 5th wheel king pin mount. I have one of these ( I used to have a cody coupler adapter, but I needed an extension to clear my bed tank and found this already built , used at the local RV dealer )
I'm about to get a different gooseneck coupler welded onto mine though. the standard round ones are a pain as you have to be right under the ball to hook up. Atwood makes a gooseneck coupler that you can back into just like a 5th wheel and gives you about a 5-6" wide room to play with I bought a car hauler with one and just love it. The complete coupler with the upright post is Atwood part number 75401 ( you can google that and it will bring up a couple of PDF catalogs that have pictures )
Best of both worlds, articulation of a gooseneck and the ease of hooking up a 5th wheel. They are rated at 25000 pounds

BlueMuleTrucking · 05-10-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLDSL

Yes, goosenecks are rated much higher than most 5th wheels, that's why all the big horse and car hauler trailers are mostly goosenecks, aside from the fact that you get better articulation with the trailer so the thing doesn't get in a bind.

You could also go to a local trailer builder and have a gooseneck coupler welded to your 5th wheel king pin mount. I have one of these ( I used to have a cody coupler adapter, but I needed an extension to clear my bed tank and found this already built , used at the local RV dealer )
I'm about to get a different gooseneck coupler welded onto mine though. the standard round ones are a pain as you have to be right under the ball to hook up. Atwood makes a gooseneck coupler that you can back into just like a 5th wheel and gives you about a 5-6" wide room to play with I bought a car hauler with one and just love it. The complete coupler with the upright post is Atwood part number 75401 ( you can google that and it will bring up a couple of PDF catalogs that have pictures )
Best of both worlds, articulation of a gooseneck and the ease of hooking up a 5th wheel. They are rated at 25000 pounds

That's pretty neat! If I ever buy a gooseneck of my own I'm investing in that. Although the only trailer I have problems backing into is my little 2 horse cause it's so small I can't see the fenders when mirrors are adjusted. I started to cheat and line up the handle on my tailgate with the jack and going from there.

RLDSL · 05-10-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMuleTrucking

That's pretty neat! If I ever buy a gooseneck of my own I'm investing in that. Although the only trailer I have problems backing into is my little 2 horse cause it's so small I can't see the fenders when mirrors are adjusted. I started to cheat and line up the handle on my tailgate with the jack and going from there.

On mine, I have the flatbed and the crew cab with the big headache rack and bed tank, so I can;'t see anything back there and there's not much to line up on. I either have to rely on help or climb in and out of the cab a dozen times to hookup the regular gooseneck. That Atwood job, all I have to do is get in the neighborhood and bump it. Usually stab it on the first shot

Here's a link to the PDF catalog It's on page 28 ( or page 5 of the pdf file )

BlueMuleTrucking · 05-10-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLDSL

On mine, I have the flatbed and the crew cab with the big headache rack and bed tank, so I can;'t see anything back there and there's not much to line up on. I either have to rely on help or climb in and out of the cab a dozen times to hookup the regular gooseneck. That Atwood job, all I have to do is get in the neighborhood and bump it. Usually stab it on the first shot

Here's a link to the PDF catalog It's on page 28 ( or page 5 of the pdf file )

I wish they had one for tag a longs. I got a lazy bone in my body lately and I haven't reached a 1/4 century of age and I'm beat to hell already. So much for listening about things not being a good idea as youngerster.

RLDSL · 05-10-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMuleTrucking

I wish they had one for tag a longs. I got a lazy bone in my body lately and I haven't reached a 1/4 century of age and I'm beat to hell already. So much for listening about things not being a good idea as youngerster.

They sell just the coupler without the post. I betYou could have one of those welded on to a tag trailer and just use a gooseneck size ball Wouldn't that be a cool setup.

BlueMuleTrucking · 05-10-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLDSL

They sell just the coupler without the post. I betYou could have one of those welded on to a tag trailer and just use a gooseneck size ball Wouldn't that be a cool setup.

Yeah, I have 2 5/15 drop ball as well. Just need 1 7/8ths to complete the set.