Just getting 2021 GD Reflection 303RLS to be hauled by 2021 Ram 2500 Crew Cab short bed w/ OEM fifth wheel/gooseneck prep pkg (puck system). Haven't towed before so I'm looking for opinions on the hitch setup. I told the GD dealer that I would like a clean bed when not RVing and since the sliding hitches are too heavy to remove what are my options? They recommended a Curt Goose neck hitch ball, Curt safety chain loops for Ram underbid trailer hitch, Andersen safety chains for Ranch hitch 5th wheel to gooseneck coupler attachment , and the Andersen 3139 Ranch Hitch Adapter w/ 8" offset. It seems like such an elegant and simple solution that there must be tradeoffs that I don't see
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Is going w/ gooseneck hitch ball good idea
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I have the same trailer and TV as you do. I went with the B&W companion hitch because of it's strength. You're right that it is heavy, however, the head of the hitch comes off separately so that you're not lifting the entire unit. I've read that some gooseneck adapters will put additional stress on the fifth wheel, so make sure you buy one that won't void the warranty. Ask Grand Design what they think.David&Leslie
2021 Reflection 303RLS
2019 Ram 2500 6.4L
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BobL Welcome to the family and the forum!
I can't touch the question at hand other than a personal preference, but I saw that this was your first post I will take this opportunity to share this with you. The Moderators have taken the time and effort to create a welcome letter to help the new members navigate the forum and get the most from it. The letter is at https://gdrvowners.com/forum/main-fo...to-new-members
Enjoy the new toy, but stay away from the mods compilation unless you have lots of $$$ and time.Jerry and Kelly Powell, with Halo, Nash, Reid, Cleo, Rosie, and the two newest additions Shaggy and Bella..
Nash County, NC
2020 Solitude 390RK-R
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Originally posted by BobL View PostJust getting 2021 GD Reflection 303RLS to be hauled by 2021 Ram 2500 Crew Cab short bed w/ OEM fifth wheel/gooseneck prep pkg (puck system). Haven't towed before so I'm looking for opinions on the hitch setup. I told the GD dealer that I would like a clean bed when not RVing and since the sliding hitches are too heavy to remove what are my options? They recommended a Curt Goose neck hitch ball, Curt safety chain loops for Ram underbid trailer hitch, Andersen safety chains for Ranch hitch 5th wheel to gooseneck coupler attachment , and the Andersen 3139 Ranch Hitch Adapter w/ 8" offset. It seems like such an elegant and simple solution that there must be tradeoffs that I don't see
RobRob & Barb
2022 RAM 3500 Big Horn, 6.7 Cummins HO/Aisin
2022 Solitude 378MBS
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BobL
Welcome to our owners technical forum.
You have found a rather complex set of parts to connect your 5th wheel to your truck .
I see several product names that Grand Design and LCI will not be comfortable with . . . check carefully as to whether this will affect your warranty.
The position of the trailer pin within the truck box has to comprehend several things. If you move it back to provide additional clearance to the cab while turning, the "wings" of the pin box will be at risk of impacting the side rails of the box in a turn.
Connecting to a ball in the bed of the truck is more complicated than connecting with most 5th wheel hitches. You have to position the hitch ball directly under the coupler and you can't see this from the driver's seat. A traditional 5th wheel hitch slides together with more tolerance for being out of alignment. The exceptions to this are the Andersen ball and socket (but at least this connection is high enough to see) or the auto slider hitch that needs more careful alignment when connecting because of the wedge that turns the hitch to move it back and forth.
There is a lot to be said for the KISS principle in hitches. I like my manual slider for this reason. I can connect the hitch from any direction and in the aft position, the hitch is easily visible out the back window of the truck. Hitching in this position leaves lots of room between the truck and 5th wheel for opening/closing the tailgate or the front storage compartment of the trailer. The two halves of this hitch are considerably lighter than a similar auto slider hitch.
Lots of pros and cons to any style of hitch . . . I am sure that others will weigh in!
RobCate & Rob
(with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
2015 Reflection 303RLS
2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
Bayham, Ontario, Canada
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Originally posted by BobL View PostJust getting 2021 GD Reflection 303RLS to be hauled by 2021 Ram 2500 Crew Cab short bed w/ OEM fifth wheel/gooseneck prep pkg (puck system). Haven't towed before so I'm looking for opinions on the hitch setup. I told the GD dealer that I would like a clean bed when not RVing and since the sliding hitches are too heavy to remove what are my options? They recommended a Curt Goose neck hitch ball, Curt safety chain loops for Ram underbid trailer hitch, Andersen safety chains for Ranch hitch 5th wheel to gooseneck coupler attachment , and the Andersen 3139 Ranch Hitch Adapter w/ 8" offset. It seems like such an elegant and simple solution that there must be tradeoffs that I don't see
I encourage you to search this forum and others on the Andersen Ultimate or the Reese Goosebox in conjunction with a Ram shortbed. Pay attention as to whether a poster has a long or short bed, and whether they use the OEM 5th wheel hitch option, or something like the B&W offset ball. They all affect the clearance you can expect.2017 Ram 3500 Mega Cab diesel dually, OEM 5th wheel option
Andersen hitch & 303RLS
Morryde IS
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I just switched from a goose neck set up on my old trailer to the Companion 5th wheel set up. I had the B&W turnover ball and just a basic goose neck on 5th wheel. Worst ride Ive ever experienced. Tensed up the whole time. If you do the goose neck I would try one of the couplers that provide cushioning. I've only pulled it from the dealership to storage, but the difference was night and day. My pin box is the basic rigid set up, but the companion provides some dampening. I am towing this weekend and hope that I continue to see a difference. If not I may upgrade my pin box to one that has dampeners .Bo 2016 Ford F250 6.7L SRW, Reflection 340rds
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Originally posted by RoyB View PostI run the Reese goosebox on my 320G and Megacab Ram (same bed as yours). No issues to date and the ride is plush with the airbag built into the hitch. I believe the Goosebox retains any frame warranty as well.2017 Ram 3500 Mega Cab diesel dually, OEM 5th wheel option
Andersen hitch & 303RLS
Morryde IS
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Originally posted by BobL View PostJust getting 2021 GD Reflection 303RLS to be hauled by 2021 Ram 2500 Crew Cab short bed w/ OEM fifth wheel/gooseneck prep pkg (puck system). Haven't towed before so I'm looking for opinions on the hitch setup. I told the GD dealer that I would like a clean bed when not RVing and since the sliding hitches are too heavy to remove what are my options? They recommended a Curt Goose neck hitch ball, Curt safety chain loops for Ram underbid trailer hitch, Andersen safety chains for Ranch hitch 5th wheel to gooseneck coupler attachment , and the Andersen 3139 Ranch Hitch Adapter w/ 8" offset. It seems like such an elegant and simple solution that there must be tradeoffs that I don't see
https://gdrvowners.com/towing-and-hi...reese-goosebox
Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Neil Citro
2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab
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Originally posted by RoyB View Post
I have the B&W turnover, but it puts the ball in the same location as factory.2017 Ram 3500 Mega Cab diesel dually, OEM 5th wheel option
Andersen hitch & 303RLS
Morryde IS
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Originally posted by John303 View Post
Thank you for that info! So to recap, B&W but not the offset ball that is available. As long as the ball is in the same location as a factory OEM ball, I have more confidence that it will work for me. Very tempting now.2020 GD 320G
2021 Ram 3500 H.O. SRW.
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Just took delivery of my 303rls I have 2019 Ram 2500 Hemi, dealer installed the Anderson hitch we tried connection both ways and I have no clearance issues including I have rails for bed for bed cover. We did the turn test and were around 85 deg. We use our truck for other things so with 10 min to remove hitch and have the whole bed was great for us.2021 Reflection 303RLS
2019 Ram 2500 short box 6.4 Hemi
Anderson ultimate hitch
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