129 1010 On The Ball Convert A Ball Gooseneck Adapter - coupler Extension Install - Photo 28890056

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Next, position the coupler extension under the hitch and slide it up until the adapter collar is completely covered. The unit is heavy, so it helps to have a second set of hands.

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This is the complete Covert-A-Ball cushioned fifth wheel-to-gooseneck ball adapter kit. The system includes a cast-iron collar that bolts directly to the trailer's kingpin. The larger coupler part is where the cushion device is located.

This cut-away shows exactly how the adapter's cushion device works. Notice the two polymer doughnut bushings sandwiched into the design; this is what sets the unit apart from others on the market.

The cast-iron coupler extension is rated to carry up to 20,000 pounds, and features robust webbing in critical areas for added strength.

This is what our trailer's kingpin arrangement looked like prior to the installation of the adapter. It is important to remove all grease and any type of glide plate designed to work with a fifth-wheel hitch.

To install the adapter, you must first attach the adapter collar on the trailer's kingpin. Using a 3/8-inch Allen wrench, simply tighten down each of the three set screws.

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Next, position the coupler extension under the hitch and slide it up until the adapter collar is completely covered. The unit is heavy, so it helps to have a second set of hands.

Once the top of the coupler makes contact with the base of the kingpin, simply tighten up the three set bolts as shown. Once tight, a jamb nut ensures that these bolts do not come loose.

Looking at the setup from the rear driver side of the pickup with the tailgate down, this is how the arrangement should look. Notice the red locking latch on the driver's side of the bed.

With the latch locked in place, the included safety chains were attached to the hitch provisions.

For the ultimate in trailer articulation, we added a B&W Turn-Over Ball setup under the deck of our Project Baja Bomber's custom aluminum flatbed. With 30 degrees of side-to-side articulation afforded by the gooseneck hitch and virtually no worry of pinch points between the bottom of the coach and the flatbed, we were able to traverse a 15-degree angle without binding. This simply is not possible with a typical fifth-wheel hitch setup.

Another reason we like the idea of running a gooseneck-style hitch over a traditional fifth wheel setup is cargo capacity. With a gooseneck ball, you have more room in the pickup bed for bulky items such as coolers, firewood, and other camping essentials. Plus when you arrive at the campsite, you can easily remove the gooseneck ball and take full advantage of the vehicle's entire cargo box-no need to remove or store a heavy fifth-wheel hitch.