Camco Eaz-Lift 48501 Fifth-Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter, 15-Inch
Camco Eaz-Lift 48501 Fifth-Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter, 15-Inch — Product description
The Camco Eaz-Lift 48501 converts most standard fifth-wheel trailers to pull from a gooseneck ball. It's a 15-inch adapter that bolts to your trailer's stationary pin box and drops onto a 2-5/16 inch ball, rated for 30,000 lb of trailer and a 7,500 lb pin load.
If you've got a fifth-wheel trailer and a truck already set up to pull gooseneck, the Camco Eaz-Lift 48501 bridges the two. It's a 15-inch adapter that bolts onto your trailer's stationary pin box and drops down to a standard 2-5/16 inch gooseneck ball. Hook up, hear the coupler latch, and you're towing. No new hitch in the truck bed, no drilling a fresh rail kit, no swapping your whole pin box for something exotic.
Why make the switch at all? Plenty of folks run a gooseneck ball in the bed for a stock trailer, a flatbed, or a dump trailer, and they don't want a second fifth-wheel hitch eating up the whole bed. This adapter lets one gooseneck ball do double duty. Drop the ball in for the horse trailer on Saturday, tow the RV with the same setup on Sunday. When you're done, a gooseneck ball pops out and leaves you a flat, open bed for hauling. That's the real appeal here, keeping the bed usable.
The 48501 carries a 30,000 pound gross tow rating and a 7,500 pound vertical pin load. That's serious capacity, and it covers the vast majority of standard fifth-wheel RVs out there. Before you buy, do the simple math. Your trailer's loaded weight and its pin weight both need to sit under those numbers with margin to spare. Most three-quarter-ton and one-ton owners pulling a mid-size fifth-wheel are well inside the window, but a big triple-axle toy hauler loaded heavy is where you check the sticker first.
Height matters more than people expect. This is the 15-inch version, measured from the pin-box connection down to the center of the ball. The right height keeps your trailer riding level and keeps the front cap clear of your truck's bed rails and cab in a tight turn. If your truck sits tall or you run a short bed, measure before you commit. Camco makes this same Eaz-Lift adapter in a 17-inch height for rigs that need a little more drop, so pick the number that levels your specific trailer.
Installation is straightforward for anyone comfortable with a wrench. The adapter ships with all the parts and hardware you need to attach it to a standard stationary pin box. Bolt it up, torque the hardware to spec, grease the ball, and hook up. The automatic latching coupler does the work at the ball, so connecting and disconnecting is a one-person job most of the time. Give the whole assembly a real look before your first long trip, then re-check the torque after the first hundred miles like you would with any new hitch component.
A couple of honest notes. This adapter is built for stationary pin boxes, the common style molded or bolted to the trailer's kingpin box. If you've already got a sliding or air-ride pin box, that's a different animal and this isn't the part for it. And a gooseneck ride is a firmer ride than a cushioned fifth-wheel hitch. On rough roads you'll feel more chatter through the connection. That's the trade for the simplicity and the open bed. For most haulers it's a fair deal, but if your trailer has a lot of delicate cabinetry inside, keep it in mind.
Build quality is what you'd expect from the Eaz-Lift line. The 15-inch extension is powder coated to fight rust and road salt, and the whole unit weighs about 51 pounds, so it's stout without being a two-person lift. It stores easily in the truck bed or the garage when it's not in use. Match it to the correct gooseneck ball, confirm your ratings and height, and this is a clean, proven way to pull a fifth-wheel off a gooseneck ball.
Key Features
- 15-inch overall height positions the ball to keep most fifth-wheel trailers riding level behind the truck.
- 30,000 lb gross tow rating handles the vast majority of standard fifth-wheel RVs.
- 7,500 lb vertical load rating gives real pin-weight headroom for loaded trailers.
- 2-5/16 inch ball coupler drops onto any standard gooseneck ball already in your bed.
- Automatic latching coupler makes hookup and disconnect a one-person job.
- Universal fit for stationary pin boxes adapts most standard fifth-wheel kingpin boxes.
- Powder-coated 15-inch extension resists rust and road salt for the long haul.
- Complete mounting hardware included, so there's nothing extra to source before install.
- Roughly 51 lb assembly stays stout but stores easily in the bed or garage between tows.
Why Buy from NVN Marine
- Authorized Camco reseller, full manufacturer warranty
- NMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs
- Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items
- NY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store
Technical specifications
| Title | Camco Eaz-Lift 48501 Fifth-Wheel to Gooseneck Adapter, 15-Inch |
|---|---|
| Brand | Camco |
| Product Line | Eaz-Lift |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 48501 |
| UPC | 014717485012 |
| Adapter Type | Fifth-Wheel to Gooseneck |
| Overall Height | 15 in |
| Gross Tow Rating | 30,000 lb |
| Vertical Load Rating | 7,500 lb |
| Gooseneck Ball Size | 2-5/16 in |
| Coupler | Automatic latching |
| Pin Box Compatibility | Universal fit, stationary pin boxes |
| Finish | Powder coated |
| Mounting Hardware | Included |
| Weight | 51 lb |
| Package Dimensions (L x W x H) | 14.75 in x 14.25 in x 11.38 in |
Frequently asked questions
What does the Camco 48501 adapter do?
It converts a standard fifth-wheel trailer so you can tow it from a gooseneck ball in your truck bed. The 15-inch adapter bolts to your trailer's stationary pin box and drops down to a 2-5/16 inch ball, so one gooseneck ball can pull both your RV and a stock or utility trailer.
How much can it tow?
The 48501 is rated for a 30,000 lb gross trailer weight and a 7,500 lb vertical pin load. Check your trailer's loaded weight and pin weight against those numbers and leave some margin before you tow.
What size ball does it use?
A standard 2-5/16 inch gooseneck ball. If you already run a gooseneck ball for a stock trailer or flatbed, this adapter drops right onto it.
Will it fit my pin box?
It's designed for standard stationary pin boxes, the common style attached to the trailer's kingpin box. It won't work with sliding or air-ride pin boxes, which use a different connection.
Is it safe to convert a fifth wheel to a gooseneck?
Yes, when you stay inside the ratings and set it up right. Keep your loaded weight under 30,000 lb and your pin weight under 7,500 lb, torque the hardware to spec, and re-check it after the first hundred miles. The main thing you'll notice is a firmer ride than a cushioned fifth-wheel hitch.
Which is better, a fifth-wheel hitch or a gooseneck ball?
Neither is simply better, they're different setups. A gooseneck ball keeps your truck bed open for other jobs and pops out when you're done. A cushioned fifth-wheel hitch rides softer over rough roads. This adapter lets you run the gooseneck ball and still pull your fifth-wheel.
What's the difference between the 15-inch and 17-inch version?
Just the drop height. This 48501 is the 15-inch adapter. Camco makes the same Eaz-Lift adapter in a 17-inch height for trucks that sit taller or trailers that need more clearance. Pick the one that keeps your trailer level.
Does it come with everything I need to install it?
It ships with all the parts and hardware to mount it to a standard stationary pin box. You'll want basic hand tools, a torque wrench, and a little grease for the ball.
How much does it weigh?
The adapter weighs about 51 lb. It's stout but still a one-person lift, and it stores easily in the bed or garage between trips.
