Safety is a critical aspect when dealing with heavy vehicle combinations. As an expert in shipping and bulk shipping, you know the gooseneck and the fifth wheel hitch. Both are heavy-duty hitches that attach or mount large trailers to the bed of a truck.
Although both serve a primary purpose in heavy hauling, these hitches are different. Heavy Haulers understand and present a variation to meet your needs and fifth wheel shipping services.
What is a fifth wheel hitch?
A 5th wheel hitch is primarily used to tow recreational vehicles such as travel trailers, large motorhomes, tractors and RV trailers. This hitch is a large horseshoe-shaped metal plate coupling that links or connects a semi-trailer and the trailer unit. In addition, the docking system is located on the side of the vehicle.
It makes the two components articulate, guide and navigate comfortably in the transport and shipping of heavy cargo. The fifth wheel hitch has a bulky and heavier design sitting on the crane bed.
The hitch has a jawed head and a plate that mounts around the fifth wheel trailer pivot. At Heavy Haulers, you can choose these 5th wheel hitches from a variety of options and capacities ranging from about 15,000 to over 25,000 lbs. Others also have slider options.
When to use the fifth wheel hitch
Because these hitches are generally larger, quieter, and more intrusive when installed in the truck bed, they are best suited for recreational trailers. The 5th wheel coupling system consists of:
- fifth wheel
- chapter
- Hook head
- Base rails
- Cross members
- watertight
However, Heavy Haulers does not recommend using the fifth wheel hitch if there is insufficient towing capacity, short bed trucks and trailer clearance, and rough or off-road terrain.
What is a gooseneck hitch?
The gooseneck coupling is designed with a ball as the mounting point for the gooseneck coupling. Although it looks like a conventional hitch, it is much larger, fitting into a hole in the truck bed. In a gooseneck connection, the coupling system is located on the side of the trailer.
When you choose the gooseneck hitch, you get greater towing capacity, simplicity and compact size, and you can haul more than 30,000 pounds, which is at least 3,000 pounds more than the fifth wheel hitch. Safety chain anchors and ball hitch generally take up or take up little space in the truck bed, and are easy to install and remove.
When to use a gooseneck fastener
The gooseneck hitch is ideal when towing heavy agricultural and construction loads and when you need or use:
- Greater towing capacity
- Gooseneck trailer
- Short bed trucks
- Maneuverability and versatility
However, a gooseneck is not suitable when short bed trucks have clearance issues, especially when making sharp turns. The gooseneck hitch is not recommended for parking or maneuvering in tight spaces.
How to choose which hitch is best for transportation
Heavy haulers have years of experience working with various hitch systems like the fifth wheel. When you need to choose the right trailer for transporting and shipping your heavy cargo, like RGN’s transportation services, our experts will guide you in choosing the right hitch and coupling systems for your needs.
Choosing the right fifth wheel or gooseneck hitch is easy, but with expert guidance, it’s just a matter of choosing the right receiver size and towing capacity for your vehicle to meet your needs. Here are the factors you should consider to guide you.
- Towing capacity of your vehicle
- Attachment class
- Tongue weight
- Make and model of the vehicle
- Towing needs and compatibility
- accessories
- budget
- Safety and braking functions
- Place of destination or trailer
You need to understand that different trailers need different types of hitch. With the experts at Heavy Haulers, you can determine if your trailer has a gooseneck coupling or a 5th wheel pivot. These are vital for you to understand if the hitch you choose can support the weight of your trailer and effectively meet all of your heavy hauling and shipping needs.
Also, when you understand the payload capacity and weight capacity of your fifth wheel tongue or gooseneck hitch, you can quickly meet your towing needs. This is because the payload capacity is the maximum weight the hitch can support and the tongue weight is the downward force exerted on the hitch by the trailer.
Choosing a 5th wheel hitch or gooseneck with the advice of reputable experts like Heavy Haulers is crucial to ensure your hauling and shipping needs are met.
