Whats the difference between a 5th wheel and gooseneck

If you are an individual who spends most of your time on a farm or an estate, you will almost certainly need to haul large trailers at some point in time. 

There are many different types of trailers and equipment that require towing, and the hitch you choose for the job is paramount. There are many types of hitches made for various purposes, and some are more versatile than others. In this write-up, we aim to cover the basics of two of the most common hitches, the fifth wheel, and the gooseneck. These hitches have similarities, differences, benefits, and drawbacks. Read on for a breakdown of all you need to know about the fifth wheel and gooseneck hitches. 

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Gooseneck vs. 5th wheel hitches: what exactly is the difference? And which should you use for your RV? We explain everything you need to know here.

On the surface, gooseneck and 5th wheel hitches can seem pretty similar. Both are installed in the bed of a pickup truck and used to haul some kind of trailer. But in fact, gooseneck and 5th wheel hitches have some major differences.

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between gooseneck vs. 5th wheel hitches and the pros and cons of each. Then, we’ll help you decide which hitch is right for you. 

Whats the difference between a 5th wheel and gooseneck
A horse trailer attached to a pickup with a gooseneck hitch.

The main difference between gooseneck vs. 5th wheel hitches is how they’re installed and what they’re used for.

A gooseneck hitch is bolted to the underside of the truck bed. The hitch ball sits above the cargo bed’s floor like in the picture below.

Whats the difference between a 5th wheel and gooseneck

Fifth wheel hitches require you to first install rails into the truck’s bed. Then, the hitch attaches to these rails. The fifth wheel apparatus is bulky and takes up a fair amount of space in the cargo bed but can be removed if needed. 

Whats the difference between a 5th wheel and gooseneck

Another difference is how the hitches attach to your trailer. Like a travel trailer standard ball hitch, a gooseneck trailer uses a long coupler that goes over the ball. 

On the other hand, fifth wheel trailers use what’s known as a pin box and a kingpin. The kingpin is inserted into the 5th wheel head, which clamps down on the kingpin. This is basically the same as how semi-truck hitches work. 

The final significant difference is the purpose of each hitch. Gooseneck hitches are typically used for commercial and agricultural applications, such as livestock and flatbed trailers. Meanwhile, fifth wheel hitches generally are used for cargo and recreational towing – that is, for towing RVs. 

Big Truck Big RV does a great job of showing the differences between a gooseneck vs 5th wheel hitches.

Fifth Wheel Hitch Features and Details

Whats the difference between a 5th wheel and gooseneck
When a 5th wheel RV is uncoupled from the hitch, you can see the kingpin on the RV

Let’s look at the pros and cons of using 5th wheel hitches. 

3 Main Pros of 5th Wheel Hitches

Comparing gooseneck vs. fifth wheel hitches, fifth wheels have many key advantages.

1. Accessibility

5th wheel hitches (at least for RVers) are that 5th wheel couplers are way more common than gooseneck couplers on towed RVs. You generally won’t find gooseneck couplers on recreational trailers of any kind. 

2. Noise

5th wheel hitches are much quieter. You won’t have to worry about extra noise in your cab while hauling your fifth wheel RV. Hitch companies are constantly developing noise reduction technology and chucking minimizing enhancements.

3. Stability

Especially with taller trailers, 5th wheel hitches provide a much more stable ride. That also means less wear and tear on your RV.

4. Simplicity

5th wheel hitches are also simpler to install than gooseneck hitches. While installing a gooseneck hitch requires the nerve-wracking step of cutting a hole in your truck bed, a 5th wheel just requires you to bolt a pair of rails into the bottom of your cargo box. 

3 Cons of 5th Wheel Hitches

Whats the difference between a 5th wheel and gooseneck

Of course, 5th wheel hitches do have some downsides versus gooseneck hitches. 

1. Cost

The biggest downside is cost. Due to being larger and more complex, a 5th wheel hitch can be five times the cost of a gooseneck hitch. The average fifth wheel hitch and installation cost can be in the early four figures. So if you want to install a 5th wheel hitch, it can be a significant hit to your wallet. 

2. Size

The second major downside is size. While a gooseneck takes up almost no space in your truck bed, a 5th wheel hitch will take up a lot more room, taking up a quarter or more of your available truck bed space. Since it sits in the center above your back axle and slides around, it’s not recommended to store anything in the cargo bed while towing.

3. Weight

5th wheel hitches are heavy. Smaller versions are less, but realistically, expect a fifth wheel hitch to add 100-300 pounds to your truck. Many of these hitches disassemble into 2-3 parts, breaking the weight into more manageable sections.

So while you can remove them, you’ll likely need help to do so. Unless you need your cargo box regularly, many leave the hitch in the cargo box with a weather cover and use the space around it.

Gooseneck Hitch Features and Details

Whats the difference between a 5th wheel and gooseneck

Let’s look at the benefits and downsides of gooseneck hitches. 

4 Main Pros of Gooseneck Hitches

When it comes to gooseneck versus 5th wheel hitches, gooseneck hitches have many key advantages. 

1. Space

While a bulky 5th wheel hitch takes up a ton of space in the bed of your truck, a gooseneck hitch takes barely any. There’s just a small hitch ball in your truck bed. If you frequently use your pickup to haul cargo of any kind, this makes a gooseneck hitch way more convenient.

You won’t have to move a big heavy apparatus every time you want to use your truck bed. 

2. Cost

Gooseneck hitches are also significantly cheaper than 5th wheel hitches. You can save hundreds of dollars by buying and installing a gooseneck hitch. Some auto manufacturers even have an option to pre-install some of the needed components.

3. Towing Diversity

If you’ll regularly be towing more than just an RV, a gooseneck hitch is a great option. If you haul things like flatbeds or livestock trailers, you’ll typically need a gooseneck hitch. 

Some hitch manufacturers make convertible hitches that let you tow fifth wheels with your gooseneck hitch. These hitches don’t have the weight capacity like true fifth wheel receivers, but your RV dealer will show you some comfortable fivers you may enjoy.

4. Hitch Equipment Weight

On the topic of weight, this is another advantage of gooseneck hitches. They’re much lighter than 5th wheel hitches, so they won’t add much weight. In addition to taking up less space, the lower weight makes gooseneck hitches a good choice for those who need to use their truck bed to carry things. 

3 Cons of Gooseneck Hitches

Whats the difference between a 5th wheel and gooseneck
Shadow Roofmount RV towed by a 1970s Chevrolet Caprice

Gooseneck hitches have some downsides versus 5th wheel hitches, especially for RVers. 

1. Noise

First, gooseneck hitches are louder and less stable than 5th wheel hitches. A trailer attached to a gooseneck hitch will experience more movement on the road – and you’re going to hear it. This is especially true for tall fifth wheel trailers. 

2. Hitch Installation

Installing a gooseneck hitch is more difficult than installing a 5th wheel hitch. You’ll need to cut a hole for the hitch ball and get under the truck to do the installation. Because of this, it’s often recommended to have a professional install your gooseneck hitch for you. 

3. RV Incompatibility

Finally, the biggest downside for gooseneck hitches, at least for RVers, is that towable RVs aren’t typically designed for them. If you have a towable RV intended to be pulled from a truck bed, it’s almost guaranteed to have a fifth wheel coupler. The only RVs made to be towed by gooseneck were a few back in the 1970s that never sold well. 

How To Choose Between a Gooseneck vs. 5th Wheel Hitch

Whats the difference between a 5th wheel and gooseneck
When choosing between a gooseneck vs. 5th wheel hitch, a fifth wheel hitch is typically the better choice for RVers

When choosing between a gooseneck vs. a 5th wheel hitch, your RV’s main deciding factor. 

The best (and simplest) option is to choose the kind of hitch your RV needs. And in pretty much every case, that means a 5th wheel hitch. 

Of course, some adapters can convert a gooseneck hitch to a 5th wheel hitch. However, using an adapter will reduce your weight limit, so you must keep that in mind. 

Yet, if you find that perfect fifth wheel RV within the convertible hitch’s weight tolerance, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Be sure the adaptive hitch won’t void your RV’s warranty.

The biggest reason is if you haul trailers besides your RV. If you regularly pull a gooseneck trailer, you’ll better stick with a gooseneck hitch. Then, when it comes time to tow your RV, you can attach a fifth wheel adapter. But be sure to keep an eye on your weight limits.

Final Thoughts on Gooseneck vs. 5th Wheel Hitches

Gooseneck and 5th wheel hitches have some commonalities, but they’re ultimately used for different applications. 

When it comes to gooseneck vs. 5th wheel hitches, the 5th wheel hitch will be the better choice for an RVer. Besides the fact RVs are usually designed for a 5th wheel rather than a gooseneck hitch, a 5th wheel hitch also provides smoother, more stable towing for your RV. 

Gooseneck hitches are typically used for agricultural and commercial towing. It’s less stable, noisier, and requires you to cut a hole in your truck bed. But if you pull more than just your RV, you may benefit from installing a gooseneck hitch. 

Even if your RV is designed for a different hitch, gooseneck hitches can be changed to 5th wheel hitches using an adapter. So if you need lots of versatility in your towing setup, this is an option to consider.

The bottom line on gooseneck vs. 5th wheel hitches? If an RV is what you’re towing, the 5th wheel hitch is your best choice. 


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About the Author

Jennifer is a full-time RVer and part-time van lifer. She is one half of DashboardDrifters.com and the founder of RVSpotDrop, a web service for full-time RVers.

Whats the difference between a 5th wheel and gooseneck