Bumper hitch vs gooseneck dump trailer?

[wolfpack2]

One option to consider on either trailer is a hydraulic jack. You already have the battery and pump with a dump trailer, so save the back and shoulders and get the hydraulic jack as well. I got them on my tilt deck GN and will never go without out them again on a heavy trailer.

 

[dbchaplin03]

One option to consider on either trailer is a hydraulic jack. You already have the battery and pump with a dump trailer, so save the back and shoulders and get the hydraulic jack as well. I got them on my tilt deck GN and will never go without out them again on a heavy trailer.

Both models have hydraulic jacks. I agree they look incredibly handy

 

[Hay Dude]

Both models have hydraulic jacks. I agree they look incredibly handy

That’s the only thing I wish I had on my GN that it doesn’t have.

 

[jk96]

i like goosenecks but what if you need to move it with the tractor?

 

[Dunno]

Bumper pull. More maneuverable, and you have the bed clear to haul all your tools for the job. Stability is a non-issue with dually, as is load. My dump trailer gross is 15.5k, factory Dodge Ram 3500 hitch can handle more than that. If concerned with sway, install a load leveler. Haul at 15k pounds all the time, no issues. Buy once, cry once - get a BWise trailer, best on the market, with hydraulic lift jack. I’d like to convert all of my trailers to electro- hydraulic jacks.
PS PM me and I’ll send you some pictures of my setup to help you decide.

 

[Geunther]

I would spend a bit extra and put a hydraulic lift on whichever trailer I were to buy. That being said, I would still prefer a gooseneck for the added stability. I use both frequently. We have a two horse bumper pull, that we pull with our towing vehicle (on local runs), and a four horse living quarters gooseneck for showing/camping. The two horse is easily forgotten when we are driving. It is barely enough weight to keep the rear end of the truck from bouncing as if unloaded. I still prefer pulling the gooseneck for any long distance. It pulls better, backs better and except for local use narrow roads, is far superior with regards to the 'ride of the load'. The bumper pull is much better for the local runs, as it tracks closer to the path of the towing vehicle. I can back the bumper pull into tighter spots, with much less room required, but I have to change 'gears', every time I back it. The turning radius is so much smaller, that I find myself backing like a drunken sailor with the bumper pull.

For me the turning radius requirements would be the decision maker. Especially if I were to have to deliver to unknown addresses (don't know how much room I would have to back/turn for putting the firewood where the customer wants it).

Best of luck, you seem to have conquered the big problems, like heavy axles, dump bed, a decent tow vehicle. No matter which way you go, you will find instances where you wished you had made the decision for the other option.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I would not have a GN unless I had a flat bed, etc. Anything but a stock bed which IMHO, makes hooking up or dropping hard.

Interesting story about a bumper pull horse trailer. I had a 92' Ford van which typical of a Ford van, wandered all over the road. When I hooked up that two horses BP with two big ladies inside, the van handled like a dream.

 

[BlueKnife]

We have a small family farm and constantly have need of a dump trailer. I'll be towing it with a 1 ton diesel dually pickup. We are going to start selling firewood this coming year as well. It's never going to be used daily but it's primary use will be hauling logs and firewood we find for free or cheap off marketplace or delivering firewood to people. I will also use it for normal dump trailer stuff like hauling gravel or stuff to the landfill.

I have used both bumper pull and gooseneck quite a bit. A friend has both for a roofing business and has let us use both types over the last year. The rock quary missloaded a 14' bumper hitch once and got more gravel in the back which made the back end of my truck light and I don't ever want to do that again. The gooseneck obviously tows so much nicer but takes quite a bit more effort to hook/unhook.

I just wanted to see what advice some of you may that own/operate both types to see what you recommend? For consideration, the price difference between the two i am interested in is $4000 bumper to gooseneck. The gooseneck has triple 8k axles while the bumper has dual 8k. Both are 7x16. Brand is N&N galvanized which seem to be one of the highest quality trailers on the market in both build quality, features, and options. They are also one of the most expensive on the market because they are built for life. I want to make sure I get the right one the first time.

Gooseneck tandem axle, not triple. One ton pickup isn't heavy enough to take advantage of the extra capacity of that third axle, so it just means more scrubbing in turns and an extra axle and set of tires to deal with for no real benefit. Even with tandem axles, you'll be able to haul more in the gooseneck trailer than you would the tag trailer anyway.

Several folks have mentioned the gooseneck being harder to hook and unhook. I could see that being a factor for someone with mobility limitations, but can't see that being much of a concern for someone who has the fitness level needed for a firewood business. Climbing into the bed of a pickup once or twice a day would be very far from the most physically demanding part of that.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I don't know if it matters to you, but I opted for a bumper pull because friends and neighbors borrow it from time to time. Almost everyone has a truck with a bumper hitch that would use the trailer.

Use the price difference to put a hydraulic tongue jack on which makes hooking up even easier than a GN.

If you go with a telescopic cylinder you will need a separate pump to operate the tongue jack since the telescopic cylinders use gravity to lower the dump. All in I put mine on for around $450.00 using a Chinese pump.

If you haven't looked at them I'd check out Iron Bull trailers. They use 7 gauge decks and were the least expensive trailer I looked at.

 

[ultrarunner]

Learned one of the best reasons for a GN is no one has ever asked to borrow it.

Wish it was the same for the PJ bumper because half the time the loaned out number pull comes back with damage…

 

[BlueKnife]

I don't know if it matters to you, but I opted for a bumper pull because friends and neighbors borrow it from time to time. Almost everyone has a truck with a bumper hitch that would use the trailer.

Sounds like another good reason to get a gooseneck.

 

[skid mark]

...it's primary use will be hauling logs and firewood we find for free or cheap off marketplace or delivering firewood to people. I will also use it for normal dump trailer stuff like hauling gravel or stuff to the landfill.

With a dump trailer, it is very easy to end up with a heavier than expected load (or not placed where you want WRT the trailer axles) when hauling sand, dirt, gravel, etc.

You do not want a heavily loaded (or nose heavy) dump trailer hitched five feet behind your truck's rear axle.

 

[Flogger]

GN every time. I pull a 32’ 25k gooseneck with my F-250 quite often. There is no comparison in stability. I move my goosenecks around with my FEL all the time. i also have the 3 point attachment to move them around with but if you are putting a trailer in a tight spot nothing beats the ability to have it in front of the machine to spot it dead on. i run all over the farm pushing my single axle bumper pulls in front of my UTV’s.

 

[r porter]

did you ever use this?

it does not work well for me.

View attachment 4637066

 

[jk96]

did you ever use this?

it does not work well for me.

Yes Ive had this exact one for years. Using on an L6060 Kubota. Works great for me.

 

[neilpaku]

Which ever way you go, don't bother with galvanized. Instead, have either the dealer or your local paint shop spray it top to bottom with Woolwax (lanolin). $300 for a trailer and it won't rust. Reapply depending on how often you use it in the rain / snow. For my cars, I reapply once every five years, but only the exposed underside and for that, it's $150. First coat goes inside cavities but you only ever need to do that once. You can literally spray it on everything (wiring, exhausts (cars obviously, not a trailer...)). The only part I don't apply lanolin is the braking surfaces but I do do the hubs, backing plate, etc. Lanolin stays soft unlike many products and is hygrophobic. You won't regret using it. Best applied to new equipment but no issue applying to "mature" equipment either - just wash and let dry first.

 

[dbchaplin03]

Those look like fine trailers. I have/had both styles, they both have there place. For commercial use, I prefer the gooseneck for heavy duty, day in day out use.

Take advantage of the board brackets and install the extension boards. It gives more capacity and protects the top rail of the bed.

I do question the 11 gauge floor and sides. Logs are hard on them. My currant dump, has 7 gauge floor and 10 gauge sides.

Dump trailers are the most handy of all trailers. It is my go to trailer.

Just an FYI, I know you didn't ask, but When you load logs, try and get every face/sidewall log, to rest on the log under it, all the way to the floor. Avoid wedging them against the sides.

View attachment 4627185

Is your trailer a bh or gn? Also what is the length that you prefer? I too am starting to question the 11ga floor in a 16' "heavy duty" series trailer. They have some incredible features that I'd really like to have but the floor is a little concerning. I also talked to the dealer and found out that what i thought was 8k axles on the one i was looking at was actually 7k axles with heavier-duty tires so they increase the GVW up to 7.5K.

I really like the new ramp gate they came out with, i think it would be incredibly handy for wheel barrows and moving equipment. The bh model in a 16' with a hydraulic jack, telescoping lift, tarp, spare tire, 11ga floor with cross members 16" on center and the ramp gate is $17,500 and I'll have to drive 8.5 hours each way to pick it up.

I'm also interested in Lamar dump trailers because they make a really exceptionally built trailer also. For the same price as the N&N bumper listed above I can get a 7x16 GN Lamar, hydraulic jacks, telescoping lift ram, true 8k axles (or triple 7k but i don't think i want triple axles, but it's the same price) 3' sides, 7 guage floor. ($18k)

or for just over $14k I could get the same lamar in a bh model.

I have some deciding to do for sure.

 

[dbchaplin03]

Which ever way you go, don't bother with galvanized. Instead, have either the dealer or your local paint shop spray it top to bottom with Woolwax (lanolin). $300 for a trailer and it won't rust. Reapply depending on how often you use it in the rain / snow. For my cars, I reapply once every five years, but only the exposed underside and for that, it's $150. First coat goes inside cavities but you only ever need to do that once. You can literally spray it on everything (wiring, exhausts (cars obviously, not a trailer...)). The only part I don't apply lanolin is the braking surfaces but I do do the hubs, backing plate, etc. Lanolin stays soft unlike many products and is hygrophobic. You won't regret using it. Best applied to new equipment but no issue applying to "mature" equipment either - just wash and let dry first.

I'll look into this. What part of the country are you in? I'll call around to see if I can find more information.

 

[Rustyiron]

I would hold out for the galvanized. The N&N actually has the whole frame hot dipped and miscellaneous parts (wheels, spare tire mount, axle cubes, etc) look to be done individually. I have my cousins N&N in my yard and the galv is the real deal.
I'd inquire with the dealer about custom axle/tire wheel combinations for your needs. Tripple axles are hard on the tires and suspension and not a good choice for lots of tight maneuvering as in short deliveries.
These days you don't have to be in "snow country" anymore to get a good dose of liquid cal or mag as they all seem to pre treat.... but just for something to do!
Any time that chit gets wet, even from rain or melting you get a fresh dose.
I'm religious about Fluid film on my vehicles but trailer maintenance is subject to out of mind or sight maintenance practices and usually not the best candidate to lift up to spray the underside, at least compared to a automotive type lift.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

I don't know if it matters to you, but I opted for a bumper pull because friends and neighbors borrow it from time to time. Almost everyone has a truck with a bumper hitch that would use the trailer.

That is a reason to buy the GN, then nobody can borrow it unless they have the hitch.