Thinking about a new Gooseneck trailer

[RollTideRam]

I currently have a 20+2 x 83" equipment trailer with 6k axles. Last year I upgraded tractors to a Kioti DK4710 Cab that is bigger than the Deere 3320 I had for 10 years.

With my tractor loaded with a 6' cutter and the grapple on the loader, My tail wheel hangs off the back and the grapple is over on the front. Not enough room on the trailer for the box blade. I'm sure a 20+5 Gooseneck will have enough room, but I would really like to go 25+5. I can foresee wanting to add a 4 wheeler to the load when going to my friends hunting land. Of course most trips will not require this length, but I think it would be nice to be able to haul everything for the 1 hour trip.

I have only pulled a Gooseneck trailer one time and it was shorter than my equipment trailer. I don't think the 20+5 would be much different than the trailer I currently have, but wonder about a trailer that is 8' longer.

I just sold my Big Tex dump trailer for what I paid for it 7 years ago to help pay for a new trailer. I am looking at Gatormade. Their trailers are not much more expensive than a local company that I consider to be a Tier 2 trailer company. I like the looks of the wide loading ramps. I am always having to move the narrow ramps on my current trailer, they slide around when driving.

Will a 30' trailer be too long?
This is the trailer I'm looking at 2+5 Workhorse Tandem Axle Gooseneck - Gatormade Trailers

 

[2017JD1025r]

"Too long" has SOOO many variables to answer.

You need someone with experience to be familiar with your environments to give you a descent idea. Too long for a load is never really an issue. Too long in relation to maneuvering is what is an issue. The hunting property might be fantastic. Or if there is a mile driveway only 12' wide with tight turns you could be in trouble.

What about at home? A gooseneck will back way different than a bumper. Especially with going up 8'. My equipment trailer is about the same length greater than the landscape I pull to your suggestion and backing is a different monster.

Having a single experience at least gives you an idea. I only pulled a 30' one time and it was quite the ordeal. Best easiest advice is to consider the places you intend to take it, can you fit it, is it possible to back off the road , will the length cause other complexities while you would be at the location.

Good luck. I love a gooseneck and wish I had a bigger one. If you can deal with the above. You will be way happier. Pierced beam deck overs of today are a lot nicer than my true deck over from long ago.

 

[Redlands Okie]

^^^^ yes

 

[powerstroke444e]

Longer is better to a point. I had a 30' gooseneck trailer for years and really like it for all same uses you have in mind. One option I recommend is tilt or hydraulic dove tail. Then you don't have to worry about ramps.

I have had several different trailers and always like the gooseneck trailers more than others, until you move up to full size semi trailers.

 

[ovrszd]

I like how a GN pulls. I like a dual wheeled GN for how it pulls. Mine is a 28+4 20K.

Keep in mind, if you get a heavy duty trailer, you will pull it's weight every mile.

 

[oliver1555]

Member LinemanNorthFlorida (I think that is right) bought a Gatormade trailer a few years ago. He opted for 17.5 tires and is (the last I knew) very happy with it. 17.5 tires are commercial truck tires with ratings to 6000#. In my opinion, much better than duals.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Keep in mind the height of the gooseneck. Some if not most Trailors are still built to the “standard” neck height. Most trucks today set a lot higher than a few years ago. Their is usually a pretty cheap option to have the neck a bit higher in case it’s needed to clear the trucks bed sides. Can be a real issue when crossing a shallow ditch, curb, etc at a angle.

 

[ovrszd]

Member LinemanNorthFlorida (I think that is right) bought a Gatormade trailer a few years ago. He opted for 17.5 tires and is (the last I knew) very happy with it. 17.5 tires are commercial truck tires with ratings to 6000#. In my opinion, much better than duals.

Locally farmers are cautious of 17.5 tires. Complain about very low speed ratings and blowouts.

If/when that happens, duals are your best friend.

 

[oliver1555]

Never had a problem with them in the oil patch. Maybe buying inferior Chicomm products? We always bought USA tires. Never had a problem.

 

[ovrszd]

Never had a problem with them in the oil patch. Maybe buying inferior Chicomm products? We always bought USA tires. Never had a problem.

Was also told that one manufacturer is using 17.5s on their medium duty trucks with a speed rating of 70mph. Haven't tried to confirm that cause I have no plans of buying a new medium duty truck.

What brand trailer tire do you run that's a USA tire?

 

[oliver1555]

I retired a few years ago, so don't know what brand they are running now. In the past, we used Toyo and Cooper. Five or six years ago, my son drove for a dirt contractor, pulling an end dump trailer. It had two tag axles that ran 17.5 tires. I'm not sure of the make, but they held up well.

 

[nisaacs]

Member LinemanNorthFlorida (I think that is right) bought a Gatormade trailer a few years ago. He opted for 17.5 tires and is (the last I knew) very happy with it. 17.5 tires are commercial truck tires with ratings to 6000#. In my opinion, much better than duals.

I agree, I am running two dump trailers with the 17.5's, they hold up well, even the chi-com's. One is 16k the other is 22k and I load them up, lots of off highway rough rocky roads. The 16k has 4800lb tires and the 22k has the 6k tires. 20k plus miles on the 16k and 10k plus on the 22k.

 

[nisaacs]

I retired a few years ago, so don't know what brand they are running now. In the past, we used Toyo and Cooper. Five or six years ago, my son drove for a dirt contractor, pulling an end dump trailer. It had two tag axles that ran 17.5 tires. I'm not sure of the make, but they held up well.

I would think most of these would do the job well if price tag means anything. I would also assume at least some are made here. Most are out of my price range

Rickson Wheel Manufacturing

Rickson Wheel Manufacturing

 

[oliver1555]

I agree, I am running two dump trailers with the 17.5's, they hold up well, even the chi-com's. One is 16k the other is 22k and I load them up, lots of off highway rough rocky roads. The 16k has 4800lb tires and the 22k has the 6k tires. 20k plus miles on the 16k and 10k plus on the 22k.

For what we did and the roads we traveled (dirt, gravel, mud) duals could often be a real pain. Mud and rocks get between the tires and wheels and we just preferred running singles. Plus, cost per mile was better and frequency of tire problems reduced with 17.5 tires over 16" tires. If you really want to put something to the test, send it to the oil patch and see how it holds up. I know you put your trailers through the paces, as well, so you have to consider overall costs.

 

[LD1]

You have to have a WIDE approach at the end of your driveway for a 30' GN.

Even though its only 8' longer the simple fact that its a GN is a game changer. It cuts corners WAY shorter and doesnt track the truck as well as a BP when making a tight turn.

Everyone always says GN trailers are more maneuverable....well....yes and no. You can turn a GN around in a much tighter spot with being able to jackknife.....sure. But if you got a standard driveway made for car and truck traffic.....where a bumper pull would follow you in the drive nicely.....a GN is gonna be off the drive turning in. Which is bad if you have a road ditch, and culverts, etc.

For a standard rural road, you really need a driveway approach as wide as the trailer is long. Otherwise the trailer tires or the truck tires are gonna be off the driveway

 

[ovrszd]

You have to have a WIDE approach at the end of your driveway for a 30' GN.

Even though its only 8' longer the simple fact that its a GN is a game changer. It cuts corners WAY shorter and doesnt track the truck as well as a BP when making a tight turn.

Everyone always says GN trailers are more maneuverable....well....yes and no. You can turn a GN around in a much tighter spot with being able to jackknife.....sure. But if you got a standard driveway made for car and truck traffic.....where a bumper pull would follow you in the drive nicely.....a GN is gonna be off the drive turning in. Which is bad if you have a road ditch, and culverts, etc.

For a standard rural road, you really need a driveway approach as wide as the trailer is long. Otherwise the trailer tires or the truck tires are gonna be off the driveway

Truth right there.

 

[4570Man]

Truth right there.

A GN definitely handles better especially when you’re maxing the tow rating but I agree a BP definitely trails tighter.

 

[ovrszd]

A GN definitely handles better especially when you’re maxing the tow rating but I agree a BP definitely trails tighter.

For heavy hauling, GN all the way!!!

 

[4570Man]

For heavy hauling, GN all the way!!!

Except I don’t have a truck with a GN ball. The 6500 handles a load fine but a ton truck wouldn’t have any steering loaded like that.

 

[ovrszd]

You Sir, are an exception.