Gooseneck, 5th Wheel, or Bumper pull?

[Charlesaf3]

Having just bought a tractor, I'm now looking for a trailer to put it on. I was hoping the knowledgeable people here could help educate me on some of the differences.

I'm planning on buying one of the new Tundra pickups, which pull 10,600 pounds. Much as I'd love a dump trailer, it probably doesn't work for me now price/weight/size wise.

The question is, what are the advantages of the different hitch arrangements? Obviously, a bumper hitch leaves the truck bed empty, which is good. But is it noticeably harder to tow than a gooseneck? And how about 5th Wheel style hitches - are those even made for trailers?

Thanks for the advice,

charles

 

[George2615]

Wow, toyota has come a long way with a tow rating of 10,600. What kind of trailer you get depends on how much the tractor weighs and how long it is. I'm guessing your tractor is within the rating of your truck. My opinion is a minimum of 18' - 20' double axle trailer with a 7K - 10K rating with a frame mounted load leveling hitch and brakes on both axles. A 7K trailer generally weighs 2000-2300# which leaves you able to haul 4700-5000 on it. If your tractor and implements weigh more than 5K you need the 10K trailer. I don't know if you can use a 5th wheel or gooseneck setup in the Tundra but those trailers usually cost much more than what you need. I have a 20' tiltbed and a 24' gooseneck but also have a 3/4 ton diesel truck to pull them.

George

 

[Charlesaf3]

Toyota is coming out with big pick up trucks - making them in San Antonio. I've been really happy with toyota over the last 20 years - cars going to 200k with no real repairs, so they are my first choice of pickup.

I definitely want the 10k rating on the trailer - I'd rather have excess capacity than be pushing right up against it.

Seems like installing a gooseneck is just a matter of putting the right hitch in the bed. The question is, is a gooseneck noticeably better than a regualr hitch style? And if so, why?

thanks

 

[AlanB]

I do not know what hitches are available for that Tundra, but that would be the first place I would start. See what their capacities are, I would wonder about bumper pull on a tundra at 10,000 lbs.

Gooseneck is more forgiving of errors in loading, helps to get your load centered up over the rear axle of your truck, just generally tows nicer.

Good or bad, they react to your steering input slower when backing.

Bumper pulls are far more common, easier to find parts and pieces for, quicker turning if you are trying to back into small areas, and if needed, a lot easier to find someone's truck to borrow if need be in a pinch. (that is both a pro and a con as it makes one less argument when people want to borrow your trailer).

I have both, and see advantages and problems with both systems.

 

[George2615]

I would not rely on a bumper mount ball to haul a 10K trailer. Either get the frame mounted receiver hitch or your local tractor supply store sells the gooseneck plate w/2 5/16" ball that goes in the bed. Holes must be drilled through the bed to attach the plate to the truck frame. My tag along trailer is easier to back up than the gooseneck. The axles on it are mounted more forward than the gooseneck axles which are mounted more toward the back of the trailer. In my opinion I have to turn the truck wheel twice as much to get the gooseneck backed in. As Alan said the gooseneck reacts slower to steering input. I no longer loan out my trailers since in the past they always have come back damaged from inattentive users.

 

[wushaw]

Gooseneck is far better to tow with..turn with and you can put it 90*plus to the truck where a TT it is impossible. You get far less sway with a GN trailer. Yes backing is harder but easily mastered... everything else far outweighs this negative.

 

[Bird]

is a gooseneck noticeably better than a regualr hitch style? And if so, why?

The gooseneck is most definitely better; much more stable, no separate sway control required and will not have the sway that a conventional trailer is subject to. It puts more weight on the truck (on the pin) but farther forward so it's much better balanced. It's safer and more comfortable for the driver. Slower steering input in reverse? Yes, but I consider that an advantage instead of disadvantage, and you can "jackknife" the gooseneck muich farther than you can a conventional trailer.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Sorry, by bumper pull I was trying to describe "non-gooseneck". Toyota is evidently building a 10k hitch into the the frame of the truck, and if they certify it as such I'm sure it'll be fine.

So gooseneck is better for towing, and tag along for backing? I have to admit I'm not exactly great at backing my little utility trailer.... Is it just a matter of easier balance on the gooseneck, or is the sway dramatically higher on the tag along?

And with the pluses and minuses, for occasional use, does whatever extra value the gooseneck has justify the higher expense?

Thanks again for all the useful advice!

 

[kennyd]

And with the pluses and minuses, for occasional use, does whatever extra value the gooseneck has justify the higher expense?

That you will have to answer for yourself after you get prices

Maybe you could tell us some more info to help us help you:

1. How much do you want to spend?
2. How much towing will you do?
-once a week
-once a month
-once a year
3. How many miles would be your average towing trip?
4. What will be attached to or carried along with the tractor?

Also remember to include hitches, brake controller, chains, straps, binders, wheel chocks, spare tire, etc. when answering question #1, these accessories add up quick!

 

[wushaw]

How about one of the pluses is the GN is a safer trailer due to its pulling charasterics.
Both trailers will do what you want to do and if $$$ is the deciding factor then the TT will wins hands down.

 

[LoneCowboy]

There is no way in heck that a 06 Tundra hauls 10,000 lbs
No way.
And if you do, please tell me where you are so I can get out of the way.
That is way way way overloaded. A current Tundra is smaller than a F150/K1500, and the new one (07) is the same size as a F150/K1500.
Those won't pull 10,000lbs. Oh, sure, they might once or twice, but not every day, and not safely.
A trailer can come undone and pull your vehicle around VERY FAST, don't underdo it.
The most I would haul with a F150 would be 5000 to 7500 lbs. Total. The current Tundra isn't even that big. A car hauler style trailer with dual 3500 lb axles weighs about 2000 to 2500 lbs empty, so figure at most your tractor, implments, oil, gas, etc can weigh about 5000lbs. Depends on what tractor you have, and what implments (and don't forget FEL, those ain't light either)

Bumper Pull is fine, it's longer and harder to deal with, but it works fine. I have a 10' bumper pull HD equipment trailer, it's got dual 7k lb axles probably weighs 3000 lbs and teh tractor and equipment weigh 5000 to 6000 for a total of about 9000lbs. It hauls fine. But, my next trailer is going to be a gooseneck.

 

[Bird]

I do wonder whether that 10,000 lb. number is for the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). The only thing I find is a 6,800 lb. towing capacity and even that is dependent upon having it properly equipped.

 

[Charlesaf3]

That you will have to answer for yourself after you get prices

Maybe you could tell us some more info to help us help you:

1. How much do you want to spend?
2. How much towing will you do?
-once a week
-once a month
-once a year
3. How many miles would be your average towing trip?
4. What will be attached to or carried along with the tractor?

Also remember to include hitches, brake controller, chains, straps, binders, wheel chocks, spare tire, etc. when answering question #1, these accessories add up quick!

I want to spend as little as possible but that doesn't necessarily mean cheap - as little as possible for a decent piece of equipment.

Not sure how often I'll be towing. Pretty rarely, but I was thinking today of innumerable things I could do with a bigger trailer. Might haul brush with it (town chips for free) once a week.

Capacity wise if the truck hauls 10,600, then I'll want a trailer that either hits that, or exceeds it (provided trailer weight doesn't get too high). I've never had a problem with excess capacity.

From what people are saying, sounds like the gooseneck is the way to go if the cost is in the ball park. Which is a big if...

 

[Charlesaf3]

There is no way in heck that a 06 Tundra hauls 10,000 lbs
No way.
And if you do, please tell me where you are so I can get out of the way.
That is way way way overloaded. A current Tundra is smaller than a F150/K1500, and the new one (07) is the same size as a F150/K1500.
Those won't pull 10,000lbs. Oh, sure, they might once or twice, but not every day, and not safely.
A trailer can come undone and pull your vehicle around VERY FAST, don't underdo it.
The most I would haul with a F150 would be 5000 to 7500 lbs. Total. The current Tundra isn't even that big. A car hauler style trailer with dual 3500 lb axles weighs about 2000 to 2500 lbs empty, so figure at most your tractor, implments, oil, gas, etc can weigh about 5000lbs. Depends on what tractor you have, and what implments (and don't forget FEL, those ain't light either)

Bumper Pull is fine, it's longer and harder to deal with, but it works fine. I have a 10' bumper pull HD equipment trailer, it's got dual 7k lb axles probably weighs 3000 lbs and teh tractor and equipment weigh 5000 to 6000 for a total of about 9000lbs. It hauls fine. But, my next trailer is going to be a gooseneck.

By New Tundra I meant the new ones that are coming out in a few months (2007) - much larger than the current ones, they are meant to go toe to toe with the US companies in the Full size market. Toyota claims they will pull 10,600 properly equipped, and I really doubt they are saying that if they can't back it up - they'll get their butts sued off.

 

[Bird]

Charles, that's a pretty fair increase because I find they now show the current Tundra to have a GCVWR of 11,800 with the V-8 engine (less for the V-6) and with the lightest curb weight of 4275 that only leaves 7525 for passengers, cargo, and trailer with its load.

 

[AlanB]

I was thinking about this today, our big truck is a 96, F250 with a 460 gas. I pick up 3 tons of rock on occasion with our 18' goosneck, and hope to be doing it with our bumper pull (yes, technically reciever hitch pull, but generally referred to as bumper pull) dump trailer.

All I have to say is that Tundra must be a stud, cause our truck is WORKING when pulling that (I would guess about 8K lbs) and while I may be in limits to add another ton or two, I would not want to do it.

Are they rating that Tundra as 3/4 or 1 ton? Very Seldom have I ever seen a GN hitch in a half ton truck. Usually someone moving trailers, not hauling loads.

You will actually probably find it easier to back the GN if you get wiggly quick backing a bumper pull trailer. It is just tough sometimes to get everything cranked around where you want it sometimes with the GN, takes a couple extra moves.

Good luck in your search.

If you do go with a reciever hitch, make sure that all your stuff, from the hitch itself, to the cross pin to the ball to the ball mount are rated for the weight. Not sure that any of mine is for the full rating of the dump trailer.

 

[texasjohn]

Charlesaf3 , your question is bumper hitch or gooseneck.

Without a doubt, gooseneck.

Lots of pros and cons with each system.

For me, quite clearly, gooseneck: Key reason is stability while pulling and balanced load on pickup. The physics is simply soooo much more forgiving compared to a bumper hitch. You can get gooseneck balls that detach from the bed of the pickup to retain the full flat bed usage.

For me, the gooseneck is about 10 times safer than a bumper hitch. If you wish me to elaborate because your research does not lead you to this undestanding, PM me and I'll reply in detail.

That said, I have a bumper hitch flatbed and gooseneck stock trailer. I worry, a lot, every time I take that flatbed trailer on the road with any load at all... it bounces more, is more difficult to balance the load, makes the frontwheel steering less sure, pushes the rear of the 1 ton pickup around if I don't watch it.... and I DON'T drive crazy....

Go gooseneck and you won't be sorry... yep, more dollars but clearly worth the money for safety reasons. That's my $.02

 

[Charlesaf3]

Charles, that's a pretty fair increase because I find they now show the current Tundra to have a GCVWR of 11,800 with the V-8 engine (less for the V-6) and with the lightest curb weight of 4275 that only leaves 7525 for passengers, cargo, and trailer with its load.

Yeah, its much larger than the current one. (per released specs). Current one is one of the smaller pickups out there - this will be the other end of the spectrum. ITs a complete redesign. New Factory too - they are made in the new factory in San Antonio.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I was thinking about this today, our big truck is a 96, F250 with a 460 gas. I pick up 3 tons of rock on occasion with our 18' goosneck, and hope to be doing it with our bumper pull (yes, technically reciever hitch pull, but generally referred to as bumper pull) dump trailer.

All I have to say is that Tundra must be a stud, cause our truck is WORKING when pulling that (I would guess about 8K lbs) and while I may be in limits to add another ton or two, I would not want to do it.

Are they rating that Tundra as 3/4 or 1 ton? Very Seldom have I ever seen a GN hitch in a half ton truck. Usually someone moving trailers, not hauling loads.

You will actually probably find it easier to back the GN if you get wiggly quick backing a bumper pull trailer. It is just tough sometimes to get everything cranked around where you want it sometimes with the GN, takes a couple extra moves.

Good luck in your search.

If you do go with a reciever hitch, make sure that all your stuff, from the hitch itself, to the cross pin to the ball to the ball mount are rated for the weight. Not sure that any of mine is for the full rating of the dump trailer.

I've never been able to figure out the tonnage ratings on pickups. The tow rating on the new Tundra is with a 5.7l V8, for what that's worth. Lot of engine. They oversized the brakes too, evidently.

Basically, Toyota seems to want to pick a fight with the big 3 - makes sense, big pickups are some of the most profitable cars out there for the auto companies.

Good to know on the Gooseneck. Now it comes down to prices... And if any interesting used stuff turns up for sale

 

[BTDT]

Something no one has mentioned yet is load ride height. GN's I have seen generally are wider with the bed extending out over the width of the tires, while bumper pull are usually between the tires (giving a lower riding load). If you have never loaded equipment on a slick trailer (or dry one for that matter), sometimes pucker factor enters picture going up back of GN trailer. Just be careful.