Understanding the Difference Between A Fifth-wheel And Gooseneck Car Trailer

Posted by Millennium Trailers, Inc. on August 27th, 2018

In pursuance of towing some major cargo, using a traditional receiver hitch will not be the best option. When looking for a trailer to serve your purpose, you will come across trailers that are broadly categorized under enclosed and open trailers. Being available in diverse sizes, designs, and styles, there is a plethora of different types of trailers that are available in the market. If to move heavy items such as furniture, car, or even an industry equipment is your requirement then you may want to use a fifth-wheel or a gooseneck car trailer. Allowing drivers to seamlessly attach a big trailer to their vehicle, these type of trailers can be easily attached more centrally on a pickup and this gives it the leverage to carry bigger loads without any hassle.

Choosing between these two type of trailers might be a difficult task especially if you are not aware of the major differences between them. In pursuance of enabling you to make an informed decision, here are some of the major factors based on which you should purchase your next trailer.

Although, both the trailers are mounted in bed, a gooseneck car trailer is connected to a ball hitch that engages with the trailer’s coupler and on the other hand the fifth-wheel trailer has a different kind of set-up where it has a King Pin on the trailers that helps to lock with the King Pin Funnel. Both of these trailers are not fit for a small vehicle for they need vehicles like a heavy-duty truck to get enough towing power.

The main difference in these two type of trailers is in the kind of hitch that they possess. Having a better understanding of the kind of hitches will solve your doubts and help you to make a better decision to serve your purpose.

The gooseneck car trailer hitch
Consisting of a metal plate that is generally mounted under your vehicle box, the gooseneck hitch utilizes a ball and couplers to connect your truck to the trailer. These hitches come in 3 different styles, namely: Fold down, below bed, and above the bed. You do not have to worry of the trailer being detached from your truck in the event the hitch fails because of the safety chain that is attached to it. There has been an uprising demand for the below bed style hitch due to its custom fittings that gives you the flexibility to flip or detach the ball when you are not towing. Hence, it is imperative for you to know these features so that you can buy the best gooseneck trailer.

The fifth-wheel hitch
The fifth-wheel hitch, on the other hand, is constructed by installing two steel rails to the bed of your vehicle. There is a King Pin pointing in the downward direction located away from the plate, in this type of a hitch. This kind of hitch is mainly popular for RVs and camping trailers.

Author’s bio: The author is an avid writer and this article talks about the difference between gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers. For more information visit www.milltrailers.com