Goose neck vs bumper pull

[streamin]

I tow with an f250, 7.3 diesel and my trailer is a 20ft pipe top with 7k axles. When I went to my new tractor it weighed more. With loader, boxblade(#1100) or brush hog the weight I think is between #7500- #8000. Trailer is about #3000. Tongue weight was about #1100. Even though it is within limits the last time I drove 1500 miles it was very nerve racking to drive and not comfortable. I also had about #500 in the bed of the truck. So my questions are: if I go with a gooseneck, how much better will it be to drive? The wheels seem to be back farther on a gn which means more tongue weight, right? How much weight more or less can I put in the bed? I'm not sure if the cost of upgrading is worth it or not since I never pulled one before.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I live 3 miles west of plantersville. Your more than welcome to come try out my gooseneck. It's the only thing I use to pull heavy with. With the weight over the axle it feels more stable. Hitching takes some practice so your not messing with it for 5 mins. A bp is nice for moving furniture, a GN is better for moving equipment around.

Brett

 

[bindian]

I'm up in Willis. I will never buy another bumper pull for anything again. Love the gooseneck sit up too much to change. Smoother ride and more stable.
Come up to Willis and try my rig.
hugs, Brandi

 

[LD1]

Even though there is more weight on the hitch, its effets on the truck are less cause its directly over the axles. A bumper pull that hitches several feet behind the axle gives the trailer lots of leverage.

Think of putting a pallet of whatever right at the back of the truck (half on the tailgate) vs shoving it all the way to the front of the bed. Same weight, big difference in how the suspension handles it.

One thing to keep in mind too, is GN's turn short and cut corners. You need WIDE driveway approaches to get into and out of. If you have a narrow drive, you may either have to change that, or stick with BP

 

[farmer2009]

Once you go Gooseneck you will wonder why you waited so long. The tongue weight of a bumper pull maxes out at 10%. A gooseneck wants 15% if not 20%. The biggest thing is you move from being 3-4 feet behind the rear axle and causing the rear axle to act as the fulcrum of a lever. To being 4-6 inches in front of the rear axle. Therefore taking away the lever effect.
The move forward also causes you to gain control while on the road. It can happen but goosenecks aren't know for being a wagging tail to the truck. Especially at high interstate speeds.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Gooseneck hands down,you will chunk rocks at that bumper pull. You still have room in bed but limited now cause the hitch but can stack in front side and back of it.

 

[Xfaxman]

I tow with an f250, 7.3 diesel ------------------------------------- So my questions are: if I go with a gooseneck, how much better will it be to drive? The wheels seem to be back farther on a gn which means more tongue weight, right? How much weight more or less can I put in the bed? I'm not sure if the cost of upgrading is worth it or not since I never pulled one before.

It will be much better to drive, no more tail wagging the dog effect. No more tongue weight bouncing the front end up and down.

You will be able to safely carry more weight in the bed, up to the Gross Axle Weight Rating, since the gooseneck ball is ahead of the rear axle, some of the trailer weight is carried by the front axle.

The trick to hooking up a gooseneck is to put a rod or a stick on a magnet. Make it tall enough to see from the front seat. Set the magnet right in front of the ball. Put the tailgate down, look at the inside rear view mirror, center the rod on the gooseneck pipe as you back up. Stop when the rod moves, get out and lower the hitch onto the ball! You have to use the mirror to be centered, if you look over your shoulder, it won't be over the ball.

Here is a thread that will answer your next question, ramps? http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/273476-stand-up-slide-ramps.html

This is my 2006 Delta 14K 18' steel deck with the 4' pop up dovetail. It weighs 5K, 1k on the ball.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had a GN and while it pulled a little better the loss of bed space and limited tow vehicle choices sent me back to BP.

Think this one out carefully.

Chris

 

[ovrszd]

I agree with Chris' point about thinking it thru.

We don't know you. We don't know your future intentions.

With that said, I'm with all the rest (except Chris). I use the 16' BP to haul my little JD or light weight items. I always use the GN to haul bigger stuff.

You should take advantage of the two offers here to let you test their rigs. Sounds like they both would be willing to load up their tractors and let you take em for a short lap.

Biggest thing to get used to is the short cutting corners.

Not long after I got my GN (dual wheeled tandem axle) I was driving down the Interstate at 75 mph with two Jeep buggies onboard. As I passed a truck I blew a trailer tire. No adverse reactions to my vehicle at all. Sure made traffic scatter as pieces of tire flew off until I could get stopped. With a single tired axle setup things would not have been as uneventful.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[HK45]

Having Towed with both I like the GN better. They drive differently so you will need some time to get familiar with the way it handles. Also they do weight alittle more then bumper pulls so make sure your not over what your truck can haul. I also went from a GN lowboy with fender to a deck over. I would stick to a deck over. GN cost more overall vs Bumper pull. Also my registration cost me $438.00 a year For a Combined gross rating 25,000.
[URL=http://s232.photobucket.com/user/hk45t/media/IMG954778_zpsfkmddbh6.jpg.html][/URL]

 

[Deere Dude]

Ditto with the GNs. I bought a 16,000# 28GN deck over PJ to use for a Wisconsin to TN move and to haul my tractor around. The trailer weighs 5-6000 if I remember. I loaded it to just shy of 14,000 on the axles which is what the tires are rated for. I weighed it at the scale each time. If it was light, I would go home an throw more stuff on. I made 6 round trips and never a problem at all. It pulled nice and smooth.
The turning radius is very long with them, longer than a bumper pull so I had to widen the approach to my driveway, which was okay because I have a 37' fifth wheel camper anyway and they behave exactly alike as far a towing.
When I picked it up at the dealer I paid for it and hooked it up and took off. As I was turning left in the parking lot I watched my side mirror and got a good attention getter. I almost clipped a car.

 

[streamin]

Thanks to all for the responses, that gives me a better idea and answers some key questions. Brett and Brandi, thanks for the generous offer.I would like to come by so I'll pm you.
I haul the tractor once a year from Texas to NY ( a few local trips in between)and I believe I would feel safer with the gn. However, the cost is a bit more than I expected but so be it.I think the bed room is ok since I can put more on the trailer. Thanks for all the pics, nice rigs!

 

[texasjohn]

Safety. A gooseneck is simply safer. More weight on tow wheels, better traction, less prone to jackknife. I've used both. Gooseneck now for me, all the way! No more white knuckles with gooseneck.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Safety. A gooseneck is simply safer. More weight on tow wheels, better traction, less prone to jackknife. I've used both. Gooseneck now for me, all the way! No more white knuckles with gooseneck.

X2. There are some diehard BP fanatics who don't get it or refuse to admit that a GN is better for pulling heavy with a pickup except in isolated instances. If losing bedspace is a concern, get a bigger trailer. I can put a GN where a BP trailer would only dream of going Especially when I can turn past 90 degrees to get out of somewhere I shouldn't have been! The other benefit is no more contraptions to connect when towing i.e. weight distributing hitch, sway control.

 

[ovrszd]

HK45 makes a very good point about the weight.

My dual wheeled, tandem axle, 20K lb rated, 30ft, GN trailer weighs 6800lbs. My Super Duty weighs 6800lbs. So I'm 13,600lbs empty. Gotta keep that in mind. Just because you buy a larger trailer doesn't mean you can haul all of the rating increase in freight. You have to minus off the additional empty weight.

So when I load my 10,500lb tractor, I am grossing 24,100lbs. I'm at the max of my truck and of my license.

 

[ovrszd]

I'll also add, concerning price. Be patient and shop for a used trailer. I paid $3200 for mine used.

 

[streamin]

Ditto with the GNs. I bought a 16,000# 28GN deck over PJ to use for a Wisconsin to TN move and to haul my tractor around. The trailer weighs 5-6000 if I remember. I loaded it to just shy of 14,000 on the axles which is what the tires are rated for. I weighed it at the scale each time. If it was light, I would go home an throw more stuff on. I made 6 round trips and never a problem at all. It pulled nice and smooth.
The turning radius is very long with them, longer than a bumper pull so I had to widen the approach to my driveway, which was okay because I have a 37' fifth wheel camper anyway and they behave exactly alike as far a towing.
When I picked it up at the dealer I paid for it and hooked it up and took off. As I was turning left in the parking lot I watched my side mirror and got a good attention getter. I almost clipped a car.

HK45 makes a very good point about the weight.

My dual wheeled, tandem axle, 20K lb rated, 30ft, GN trailer weighs 6800lbs. My Super Duty weighs 6800lbs. So I'm 13,600lbs empty. Gotta keep that in mind. Just because you buy a larger trailer doesn't mean you can haul all of the rating increase in freight. You have to minus off the additional empty weight.

So when I load my 10,500lb tractor, I am grossing 24,100lbs. I'm at the max of my truck and of my license.

What size truck are you using to pull these? Now I am questioning my F250.

 

[LD1]

So when I load my 10,500lb tractor, I am grossing 24,100lbs. I'm at the max of my truck and of my license.

What license do you have?

If you have a CDL A, you are not at the max of your license.

IF you do not have a CDL A, you are technically still over the limit.

The way the law reads (and my understanding of it), is if the GVWR of the truck + the GVWR of the trailer exceed 26000#, you need CDL A regardless of how much the load will actually weigh.

So, a 20k trailer only leave 6000# for a GVWR of the truck. Since I assume you have either a 3/4 ton or 1-ton, your truck GVWR is probably somewhere between 9000-12000. Which gives you a GCWR of 29k-32k.

 

[Diamondpilot]

X2. There are some diehard BP fanatics who don't get it or refuse to admit that a GN is better for pulling heavy with a pickup except in isolated instances. If losing bedspace is a concern, get a bigger trailer. I can put a GN where a BP trailer would only dream of going Especially when I can turn past 90 degrees to get out of somewhere I shouldn't have been! The other benefit is no more contraptions to connect when towing i.e. weight distributing hitch, sway control.

I don't disagree they pull better. It's all the limitations that come with them.

All I'm saying is think it out. I didn't in 2000 and bought a 25 plus 5 GN. Sold it 3 years later. Loss of bed space and inability to pull with our two SUV's made that decision for me.

Chris

 

[kevin37b]

I don't disagree they pull better. It's all the limitations that come with them.

All I'm saying is think it out. I didn't in 2000 and bought a 25 plus 5 GN. Sold it 3 years later. Loss of bed space and inability to pull with our two SUV's made that decision for me.

Chris

Chris , you are usually right on the money . I do not understand this post .Why would you pull that big of a trailer , assume BP with a SUV ? I do not understand the loss of bedspace either . I have a toolbox , shovels , laser case and tripod stacked around my hitch and no problem . Just asking .