Gooseneck, 5th Wheel, or Bumper pull?

[Dargo]

I don't like going 9 miles with a 10k bumper pull.

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like they get whiplash from doing that?

 

[RobertN]

It must just be you...

I took my tractor, and son to my parents on Friday. My son has been mowing my parents almost 8 acres this weekend. I estimate I was sitting at 6500lbs trailer/tractor. And yes, it jerked around.

My previously mentioned 5th wheel is only 1000lbs heavier; it is 27', has no slides. It is 7500lbs maxed out. It pulls like a dream, it is so smooth.

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like they get whiplash from doing that?

 

[jlrsn]

I've put well over 45,000 miles pulling my 12,500 lb GVW PJ Flatbed Cargo Trailer attached to my Reese P/N 45008 Class-V Tow Beast Receiver Hitch with a 2-1/2" Square Receiver, cross-country most of the time fully loaded in the last 4 years from sea level to over 10,000' on major highways to dirt and gravel county roads and I don't experience all that jerking and bucking. Of all my 4 trailers that I presently own my 12,500 lb GVW PJ Flatbed Cargo Trailer, properly loaded, is one of the best tag-alongs that I've ever owned. And yes, I've owned and pulled GN, 5th Wheel, and Rear Hitch in my over 55 years of licensed driving.
To each his own!
Jim

 

[DanD78]

When I traded trucks I didn't want two hitches in the bed. I installed the B&W flip over ball then I changed the hitch on the camper to a Goose Neck. It is a little tougher to hook up but I can tell no difference on how it tows. I t would be nice if the camper had more weight on the nose but I have enough truck for either trailer.

Dan

 

[AKfish]

I've put well over 45,000 miles pulling my 12,500 lb GVW PJ Flatbed Cargo Trailer attached to my Reese P/N 45008 Class-V Tow Beast Receiver Hitch with a 2-1/2" Square Receiver, cross-country most of the time fully loaded in the last 4 years from sea level to over 10,000' on major highways to dirt and gravel county roads and I don't experience all that jerking and bucking. Of all my 4 trailers that I presently own my 12,500 lb GVW PJ Flatbed Cargo Trailer, properly loaded, is one of the best tag-alongs that I've ever owned. And yes, I've owned and pulled GN, 5th Wheel, and Rear Hitch in my over 55 years of licensed driving.
To each his own!
Jim

Jim - come on up North... if you know anything about frost-heaves and Permafrost you'll have a REAL experience in buckin' and jerkin'!!

Maybe another distinction - I've never owned a trailer LESS than 14,000 GVW. Current gooseneck is 15,700 GVW. So, when I travel from Alaska for another load; it's generally right at the maximum GCW for my truck - 22,000lbs. My DuraMax is just over 7,000lbs.

The bumper pull was like a giant tail shakin' a little dog!

AKfish

AKfish

 

[jlrsn]

Jim - come on up North... if you know anything about frost-heaves and Permafrost you'll have a REAL experience in buckin' and jerkin'!!
AKfish

I'm very familiar with frost-heaves and a little with Permafrost. They will jerk and buck an 18 wheeler! I'm surprised that your GN doesn't jerk and buck with them! You are really getting your monies worth from your DuraMax.
Take care,
Jim

 

[wushaw]

My one and only experience with a 5th wheel was not plesant. It was a 36' camper weight 14,000# being pulled with a 2007 Dmax 3500. I believe the issue with campers is the position of the axles but the thing teetered a lot and made the truck feel as if it were riding waves.

The 25' 25,000# GN I had and pulled behind my 1999 F-350 PowerStroke did much better. I think the truck was sprung heavier but the real difference was the axle placement on the trailer. On the GN they were 80% or more toward the rear.

I currently have a bumper pull and do not think I will ever go back. To each his own.

Chris

You didn't have enough pin weight.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You didn't have enough pin weight.

Maybe. I do remember the truck was maxed out. I ran it across the scales and it was at 9,700# with me in it. The max GVWR is 9,900# on a 3500 Dmax so there was not much room to work with. Anyway it did not ride as well as I expected.

Chris

 

[FlaDon]

Maybe. I do remember the truck was maxed out. I ran it across the scales and it was at 9,700# with me in it. The max GVWR is 9,900# on a 3500 Dmax so there was not much room to work with. Anyway it did not ride as well as I expected.

Chris

3500 at only 9900#? I assume it was SRW. Sad looking at the new specs as they are only rated at 16K GCWR. Even in the dually. Nearly 3 ton less than the 2001s-2004s.

 

[Diamondpilot]

3500 at only 9900#? I assume it was SRW. Sad looking at the new specs as they are only rated at 16K GCWR. Even in the dually. Nearly 3 ton less than the 2001s-2004s.

Yes, it was in my neighbors 07 Classic 3500 SRW Dmax that he has so many issues with.

Chris

 

[Charlesaf3]

wow, this is still going. Nice thread.

I still haven't decided Liked the idea back then, but decided I didn't need it. Not sure I need it now, but the argument has gotten a lot stronger, as I'm in VA now... and the tractors are still in MA

 

[Diamondpilot]

How many years did it take you to ask your wife to marry you if you are married? She must be a patient woman. You sure dont jump into anything. 5 years later and still trailer shopping.:confused2: Just poking fun here so don't take it as a insult.

I would question if you really need a trailer at this point. You have been doing fine without it for 5 years now?

I am a get-r-done type of guy. Usually buy within 6 months.

Chris

 

[Charlesaf3]

How many years did it take you to ask your wife to marry you if you are married? She must be a patient woman. You sure dont jump into anything. 5 years later and still trailer shopping.:confused2: Just poking fun here so don't take it as a insult.

I would question if you really need a trailer at this point. You have been doing fine without it for 5 years now?

I am a get-r-done type of guy. Usually buy within 6 months.

Chris

No insult, it's true! Wife took 5 years. 4 years of that were cranky ones :laughing: Not for me... go figure.

Need it? No... I can't say as I need it. But my life changes have been such that it seems like it would be more useful now, whereas back in Mass I just couldn't justify it beyond my general love for tools and such. We've got 3 moves coming up as a family - be nice to have. And then throw in the fact that I'd like to get at least one tractor down to VA... seems like its getting to worth it.

Of course, as far as my wife is concerned, it's essential

 

[Diamondpilot]

No insult, it's true! Wife took 5 years. 4 years of that were cranky ones :laughing: Not for me... go figure.

Need it? No... I can't say as I need it. But my life changes have been such that it seems like it would be more useful now, whereas back in Mass I just couldn't justify it beyond my general love for tools and such. We've got 3 moves coming up as a family - be nice to have. And then throw in the fact that I'd like to get at least one tractor down to VA... seems like its getting to worth it.

Of course, as far as my wife is concerned, it's essential

I know about the whole tool thing.:laughing:

When I got married I told my wife I wanted a tractor. She says why? I say so we can have land. She says why do we need land? I say so I can have a tractor. I win no matter how this goes.

I find myself walking around Rural King, Menards, Lowes, TSC, Harbor Freight, ect each once a week. Usually leave with a little $5 something or other even if I did not need anything. Just love tools.

Get it if you want it. Get a Bumper Pull. Forget a GN with a 1/2 ton truck. For a move you would lose the entire bed. Thats a lot of wasted space. I had a 25+5 25,000# GN and now have a 18' 7,000# BP. Do not miss the GN at all except maybe once every 5 years or so. The rest of the time the BP does everything I need from hauling my tractor to a Suburban.


Chris

 

[Charlesaf3]

I really appreciate the advice, and your experience. Strongly leaning toward bumper pull as a result.