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Old 01-15-2015, 01:32 AM   #1
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flatbed gooseneck to fifthwheel of fifthwheel to gooseneck

So............we just got our Voltage 3950. I have a flatbed that I use at work. It has a 2 5/16 ball built into the bed under a hatch. The height to the top of the ball is around 38" and the height to the king pin plate on the fifth wheel (when level) is about 44". I need to be able to use the truck for work and play. I only have a 6"-7" difference. I like the companion but it has a height much greater then that.......ok here we go....... ideas? Thanks for the help.......this site has been great and a lot of great people on here with some good ideas.
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Old 01-15-2015, 01:36 AM   #2
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Opps Flatbed gooseneck to fifth wheel OR fifth wheel to gooseneck
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Old 01-15-2015, 04:10 AM   #3
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I would avoid converting the trailer to a gooseneck. The adapter puts too much stress/leverage on the pin box, probably voiding your frame warranty. Some off the others here might be able to add more info, but I remember the Weekend Warrior fiasco a few years back. A lot of frame breakage in the pin box/ hitch area which the manufacturer would not warranty. There are some newer hitch styles which move the g/n ball up to the fifth wheel plate and eliminate the long g/n adapter, but I think you'll be compromising your warranty.
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Old 01-15-2015, 08:11 AM   #4
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I did the gooseneck adapter on my last fifth wheel camper (had a shortbed truck with a bed mounted fuel tank) and reverted right back - the stress is correct. I ended up with a crack in the fiberglass body at the front lower corner of the bedroom slide.
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Old 01-16-2015, 12:54 AM   #5
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Old 01-16-2015, 01:21 AM   #6
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you might want to factor in the suspension droop. my truck drops 5 to 6 inches when its hooked up. i don't have air bags (not yet anyways).
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Old 01-16-2015, 10:02 AM   #7
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What truck do you have?
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Old 01-16-2015, 10:15 AM   #8
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Here is the manufacture CAD drawing showing the pin height on a 3950 when level. I got this before ordering my hitch. The companion will drop pretty low, you will have some drop from the 3k+ pushing down on the bed.
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Old 01-17-2015, 03:38 AM   #9
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Oh boy keep it coming guys. I need all the input I can get. I have a 2004 dodge 3500 dully. It has a Bradford built flatbed. The top of the ball is 38" and the c channel it sets on is 35". I have not accounted for the weight when the unit is hooked up. I would like to put air bags on and keep it at the normal ride height. Unfortunately I have a real issue with level......maybe it's the fact that I have sold and set manufactured homes for the last 25 years.......but I would like my fifth wheel to be level when I'm towing. Not to mention I need all the tail clearance I can get.
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Old 01-17-2015, 03:48 AM   #10
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Moto4play.......I wish we lived closer together. You have been on every post I put up and have some great comments. Maybe someday we will meet. Thanks for all your input !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to check my height on the fifth wheel again because 49" would make a lot of difference.
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Old 01-17-2015, 10:53 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moto4play View Post
Here is the manufacture CAD drawing showing the pin height on a 3950 when level. I got this before ordering my hitch. The companion will drop pretty low, you will have some drop from the 3k+ pushing down on the bed.
The most interesting thing I see from this drawing is how much space appears to be inside the cap - someone mentioned in another thread making a useful space in there.
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Old 01-17-2015, 12:38 PM   #12
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I went through the same thing you are now. Concerned about the hitch height, the clearance between the top of the bed and the RV. I have a 2005 Chevy 3500 DRW with 20" wheels and 33.25" tall tires. I also put air bags on as well and really do not use them to raise the truck, just for a better ride. I notice a huge difference going 50 lbs of air down to 35 or 40 lbs. Reduces the bounce and bucking.

I do wish I was about a half to an inch lower but that will be fixed when I change the tires out. I am going to put 235/85 16 which will raise the RV about a half of an inch.
They are 31.7" in Diameter oppose to the 30.8" that are on there now.

If I can find a long enough 2x4 or straight edge to go from rail to rail and over the fenders. I will get accurate measurements of where my truck currently sits for you to compare to yours. Going to RV show this morning, I will try to do it later today or tomorrow for sure.
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Old 01-17-2015, 12:41 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by catdog View Post
Moto4play.......I wish we lived closer together. You have been on every post I put up and have some great comments. Maybe someday we will meet. Thanks for all your input !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to check my height on the fifth wheel again because 49" would make a lot of difference.
No problem, that's what we are all here for! My wife and I like to follow the NHRA. One of these days we will take a trip out west to one of the races. I do have a sister that lives in Oregon just off the boarder of Washington.
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Old 01-17-2015, 01:20 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moto4play View Post
Here is the manufacture CAD drawing showing the pin height on a 3950 when level. I got this before ordering my hitch. The companion will drop pretty low, you will have some drop from the 3k+ pushing down on the bed.
Do you have any other CADs like that? I am looking to pour some pads for the auto level and tires but my camper is still at campng world. I would like to see where the jacks, tires, and steps all are.


sorry to hijack the thread.
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Old 01-18-2015, 02:46 AM   #15
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My wife and I like to follow the NHRA.
You ever get to Spokane? My son and the son of a couple we camp with are going to start racing karts this year. The track is in Spokane next to the drag strip.
I think you guys have talked me out of the goose neck adaptor. Moto4play If you can.......I would like to know the measurement from the ground to the top of your hitch plate. Since we both have the same unit if I can get mine close to your height then that will get me in the ball park. I think you said you were a 1/2 inch high still?
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Old 01-18-2015, 06:21 PM   #16
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Okay.... I used the bunk ladder, it was just long enough to extend across. My truck measures 57 1/4" to the top of the bed off the ground centered over the hitch. The hitch sits 3" lower than the rail. Top of my hitch is 54 1/4" off the ground unloaded. When loaded it settles about 4" and the truck rides level, but the trailer rides about 9/16" too high. I said earlier I would like it about an inch lower, riding 9/16" too high really does not affect it but when I add more than 40 lbs of air to my air bags it takes it up too high and it starts to buck more.

If you have a strong suspension, you really do not need the air bags. I just replaced my leaf springs and shocks when I bought the RV. Had about 100K on my truck, bought them from SD Truck Springs. Much better ride after they were installed.

Hope this helps!
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Old 01-19-2015, 03:14 AM   #17
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Ok......so check my figures please. The mounting c channel for the gooseneck ball(which I think with some mod can take the B&W flatbed hitch)is 35" from the ground. The B&W for flatbed goes from 14 1/2 to 18 1/2 I think?? That would put my hitch at 49 1/2 at the lowest setting and 53 1/2 at the highest. Ok after your post I think I'm going to for it. It will take a couple 3 weeks to get it all done I think. I will try and take some pictures and keep you posted as to how it turns out.
I'm going to take this to the welding shot that I do a lot of business with so.......moto4play I think you were the one with the skids also? I'm going to have them build some of thoughts too. I'm thinking of building them removable I hate to ask you but you have been so great with measurements do you think you can get me some on your skids too?
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Old 01-19-2015, 09:44 AM   #18
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Skid measurements would be great for me as well! Just FYI, when I put the airbags on my truck, I removed all the leaf springs that were not attached as part of the spring pack per the air bag supplier I used - it rides great! I run the minimum 5 psi when empty and adjust via remote from the cab depending on the load.
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Old 01-19-2015, 09:58 AM   #19
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I was not the one with the sleds. That would be Splash. I am going to call the place that made them for him to either try and get the specs or see if they will make them and ship. I will let you know what I find out.
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Old 01-20-2015, 10:38 PM   #20
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No problem, that's what we are all here for! My wife and I like to follow the NHRA. One of these days we will take a trip out west to one of the races. I do have a sister that lives in Oregon just off the boarder of Washington.
There's a KOA right across the street from Pomona. I have my tickets for the Winternationals. Nice thing it's only 90 miles from my home.

I installed a gooseneck adapter on my Teton to tow with the FL60 Freightliner I had. Towed over 5,000 miles & never had any frame problem with my 5th wheel. But then it is a Teton & no one built or builds a better 5th wheel. I guess that's why they are out of business.
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