Bed usefulness with goosneck trailer hooked up.

[dkhntr04]

I'm considering getting a new trailer. My needs are outgrowing my 17+3' PJ 14k bumper-pull deckover and I am looking at getting something 20+5 or 25+5. My pickup is the service truck for my farming operation, so I really love the bumper pull for the fact that I can throw the welder, generator, torch, fuel, and tools in the bed of the truck when hooked up to my trailer. I know that getting the tongue weight right is going to limit how well I can utilize a longer trailer deck, hence I am looking at goosenecks.

Tow vehicle is a 2007 Chevy 2500HD Ext cab with 8' bed, 6.0, 4x4, 4.10. I have a 21" Weatherguard cross-bed box in the truck at all times as well. Mainly I need space in the bed for a 6500 watt generator and 4-5 items about 18" cubed (compressor, welder, toolboxes). I can get creative with mounting and reducing volume.

What are your experiences with hauling stuff in the bed with a goose hooked up? Pics of the bed with stuff in it would be excellent. Thanks.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I sold my 25+5 GN just for this reason. Sounds like you are outgrowing both your current trailer and truck. I found with a GN I needed two times the trailer with the loss of the bed. A BP is more user friendly for most.

Stick with a bumper pull for your operation.

Chris

 

[Ken45101]

With a 3/4 ton truck, I would really look at how much load you will have on the rear axle. Of course it depends on what you put on the truck, plus the weight on the gooseneck hitch and what you put on the trailer, but it's easy to exceed the limits.

When we bought our gooseneck horse camper, the 3/4 ton truck pulled it just fine...but the rear end squatted a bit and the truck was squirrly on gentle curves. A check on the scales showed that we were 300# overweight on the rear axle with the bed and trailer empty (no horses or water or camping gear)! Oops! Time to go truck shopping to haul the new trailer

 

[RedNeckRacin]

The loss of bed space is exaggerated by quite a few people. I had an 8' bed on my cummins with a cross bed tool box. You loose some ability but as long as what your carrying is below the bed rail where the goose is you are fine. If its taller, put it in the front part of the bed, the trailer can sqing towards it, but rarely are you ever jack knifed so hard your going to hit something in your bed. A GN tows better with more weight and is easier to manuver. I will never go back to a BP trailer unless I need something very small or very low to the ground. A 3/4t is about the minimumfor a 20+5 14k trailer. Depending on what you intend to haul, its still difficult to get it loaded just right. Ride rite air bags are a help, but your definitely going to want E range tires for the weight. Regardless, the space you pick up on the trailer is much more valuable than any space you are losing in your bed.

 

[mikehaugen]

I think a gooseneck with a rack/platform on the "neck" part would alleviate all of your concerns... except for the pin weight issue.

 

[CJONE]

I sold my 24 x 4 gooseneck because of the loss of bed space and the added space of the swing. I can maneuver a bumper pull better in tight spaces because it follows where the gooseneck swings 4 feet or better. The only thing I lost was the ability to carry over 12,000lbs and I borrow a good friends tri axle gooseneck if I need to and that has only happened 1 time. 99% of the time the bumper pull gets used. Also a unloaded gooseneck will beat you to death on a rough road. I dropped a load of log home logs in southern Indiana and was just about sick when I got back home from all the bucking. I have 4 bumper pulls and no plans on going back to a gooseneck. CJ

 

[RobertN]

I'd be interested in what you decide.

My 16' BP is too small for my current tractor(well, the tractor fits, but no implements).

I have a 27' 5th wheel. That, takes up speace in the bed...! It sure tows like a dream.

One of my considerations if I replace my flatbed trailer, is to go gooseneck, and get the adapter plate that uses the same rails in the bed as my 5th wheel hitch.
Reese® Gooseneck Hitch

Pro Series 25K Gooseneck Plate for Fifth Wheel Rails by Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch and Reese Pro Series Gooseneck 49080

 

[CJONE]

I'd be interested in what you decide.

My 16' BP is too small for my current tractor(well, the tractor fits, but no implements).

I have a 27' 5th wheel. That, takes up speace in the bed...! It sure tows like a dream.

One of my considerations if I replace my flatbed trailer, is to go gooseneck, and get the adapter plate that uses the same rails in the bed as my 5th wheel hitch.
Reese® Gooseneck Hitch

Pro Series 25K Gooseneck Plate for Fifth Wheel Rails by Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch and Reese Pro Series Gooseneck 49080

That's the same set up I have [different MFG] but they pin in and work well. You just have to trim the bed liner and keep the rails clean. CJ

 

[LD1]

There is no way around the loss of bed space with a GN. But for what you describe, I think it is doable. The genny in front of the hitch and the 18"cubed stuff should all fit anywhere and cear most trailers. As long as it is under the bedrails, stuff can fit about anywhere except for right next to the pin where the beams start to taper down.

Now if you hook and unkook the trailer alot, the biggest inconvenience would be shuffling things around and/or unloading the bed for that task.

What exactally are you towing?? a deere 3720 with FEL and attachment wouldnt warrant a GN in my book. But a 17+3 trailer is a bit on the short side IMO.

 

[LD1]

Oh, and if you do get a GN, you might plan on widening your drive.

People say they are more maneuverable, but that is only half right. They do have the ability to jackknife and get into areas that a BP cant, but they also dont "trail" the tow vehicle as well. They cut corners short, really short. Figure the approach of your drive needs to be at least as wide as the trailer is long. And thats a minimum in my book.

And if you use your tractor for hire at places other than commercial accounts, some peoples drives are VERY difficult.