• Greg F
    331
    I upgraded the stock hitch set-up on our 5th wheel.

    I have been considering a number of options including a new kingpin like a Trail Air or the Morryde rubber pin box to reduce vibrations and chucking.

    I ended up going with the Reese Goose Box

    Things I liked:

    1. Fully approved by Lippert for their warranty on the frame.
    2. Overall weight drop of 60-70 pounds vs. stock kingpin and hitch.
    3. Reclaim the usable bed space when not towing without awkward hitch removal. Ball and chains pulll right out easily without lifting or tools.
    4. Improved bed space while towing
    5. Air adjustable and shock dampened.
    6. No more chucking (that I can detect)

    Downsides:
    1. Cost. Around $1200. I should be able to recoup about half of that selling the old Curt hitch and Lippert king pin.
    2. Harder to hitch solo (working on a solution to that)

    After unboxing in the bed of the truck I shimmed it up.vrbovackeyhegm5f.jpeg

    Using the trailers landing gear I adjusted the height to line things up.
    s5estitps9gqcins.jpeg

    f0rypbtcfkslzfp5.jpeg
    puq7gqxath6b56f5.jpeg
  • UncleSam
    9
    I did the same on our trailer about 2 years ago. You won't regret it. I keep a small jar of white lithium grease [it's a little cleaner] in the front compartment and put a little on the ball every couple of hookups. It tows great. No clunks, no squeaks, no noise of any kind. Mine seems to ride best with the air about midway on the green section. Probably dependent on tongue weight. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

    I think the grease I ordered is from Reese and especially for hitch balls, but it looks like white lithium to me. A little goes a long way. Good luck.
    Sam
  • Greg F
    331
    Thanks for the tip on the grease. I see there is also a zerk fitting to lube the clamping jaw.
  • Ray
    1.3k
    Looks like a quality piece of hardware! Love the weight savings. I think I'd pick this over the Andersen hitch. I guess with practice you can get the hitch up time down. I'd assume it's a little more finicky versus just backing in.
  • Greg F
    331
    It is and the fuel transfer box makes it blind other than the cargo camera which isn't the sharpest picture. I have some bright yellow vinyl tape on order that I will stripe the center line of the bed with to help bring it in straight and wife can guide from the side. I'm sure we will have it down quickly. On the plus side no more worry about tug testing, if jaws are locked or reaching over the dually fender to grab the handle.


    As I head off this morning for a load of firewood I am happy that I don't need to pull out the Curt hitch. :)
  • Rush and Lola
    218
    How about the goose neck ball. Did you install it?
  • Greg F
    331
    Good Morning Rush. Hope all is well.

    The truck was prepped for a gooseneck ball from the factory so installing the ball is basically just dropping it into the factory hole.

    d31zdgwqzfbhg484.png

    This is the kit I went with made by Curt.

    Curt gooseneck kit
  • Herb
    223
    Do you feel this could replace the need for a "slider" 5th wheel hitch on a 6 /1/2' pickup bed?
  • Greg F
    331
    Not sure Herb. Ours is an 8 foot bed. I don't think the hitch holds the trailer farther back from the axle than a std. hitch so my gut says that it wouldn't be any different as far as possibly hitting the cab with the nose of the trailer. There is a FB group for the Goose Box hitch and I'm sure the group there might be able to help.
  • Greg F
    331

    I found this on e-trailer

    click here
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