Gooseneck v. Bumper trailer for me?

   / Gooseneck v. Bumper trailer for me? #1  

Charlesaf3

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Messages
1,982
Location
Richmond VA & Irvington VA
Tractor
Kubota B3030, Kubota M59 TLB
Need advice on which trailer to buy. Pretty much set on Pequea as the brand, though I'm open to all advice (including that I'm an idiot... ).

I have a 2007 Toyota Tundra Crewmax. Tow rating is 10,400 or so. I'd like to get my b3030, with weighted tires and lots of implements moved down from Mass to Virginia at some point. I'd also like to use the trailer for the usual around town stuff - moving etc. And conceivably I'll one day move my M59 down from MA to VA in multiple trips, which would use every bit of tow capacity. Generally I wouldn't expect to max it - something like b3030 with weighted tires and a woods hoe would be the general, guessing thats near 4k.

Should I get a gooseneck, or a bumper pull? I gather gooseneck would be the way to go if I were pulling max every day, but I'm not going to do that. On the other hand, I know myself - if I have capacity, I'm going to be tempted to use it. So I'll upgrade the axles either way, maybe all the way to 14k.

With the bumper pull I'd expect to upgrade to weight distributing hitch and sway control. Figure that cancels out the extra money I'd pay for a BW roll over ball. Was thinking Tekonsha Prodigy either way.

Thanks in advance for the advice.
 
   / Gooseneck v. Bumper trailer for me? #2  
Bumper hitch is more convenient for on and off the truck all the time. The GN will tow more, and more comfortably. GN cut corners when used in tight turns but you can get your truck at 90 to get it backed into tighter places than the bumper pull.
 
   / Gooseneck v. Bumper trailer for me? #3  
I have use for both kinds and you're going to get a bunch of these :thumbsup: concerning both types. I think I would start with the hitch and your vehicle. A gooseneck hitch that mounts between the frame rails and only the ball protrudes though the bed is a desired type and you'll need to see if it's even made for your vehicle. I'm certainly not talking down your vehicle and it's towing capacity but you'll need to mount all this in your truck with it being roughly 6" in front of your rear axle so how much room is left in your bed once you do that. Do you have a tool box in your bed? If so, that may be an issue. Also, keep in mind the distance between the axle and the back of the cab as far as turning and such. By looking at these parameters it might narrow your decisions for you. Let us know which way you go. :thumbsup:
 
   / Gooseneck v. Bumper trailer for me? #4  
GN trailers weigh a lot more. You will lose about 600 to 800# by going GN versus BP. I would not even consider a GN for that small of a tractor or a 1/2 ton truck for that matter.

Chris
 
   / Gooseneck v. Bumper trailer for me? #5  
You've got a good truck for towing, for sure. I use my '08 5.7 Tundra to pull quite frequently. You said crewmax, so that normally means a 5.5' bed, unless you've got one of the few with a 6.5' bed. The short bed is not going to work with a 5W.

The B&W 5th wheel setup won't be able to flip over to be stored in the bed of the Tundra, thereby losing some of the advantage of that design.

Definitely go with the Prodigy and the proper pigtail. A couple of screws on the kick panel and it's plug n' play from there.

I pull 7-8K lb in a big box trailer. Tried it w/o any anti-sway or WD hitch and it was unpleasant.
 
   / Gooseneck v. Bumper trailer for me? #6  
Prodigy is a ok controller but there are dozens that are better. Controllers range in price from $59 to $400. The Prodigy can be had for $100. Its the best buy for the $100 price range but by no means the best thing on the market.

Dont get me wrong, I have one. They are what they are, the best buy in that price range and proportional setup.

Chris
 
   / Gooseneck v. Bumper trailer for me? #7  
My flat deck is a 14,000 lb., tilt deck bumper pull. I chose that in case my own pickup needed rescueing. Most of my friends and family do not have a fifth wheel hitch and none have a gooseneck.
 
   / Gooseneck v. Bumper trailer for me? #8  
You've got a good truck for towing, for sure. I use my '08 5.7 Tundra to pull quite frequently. You said crewmax, so that normally means a 5.5' bed, unless you've got one of the few with a 6.5' bed. The short bed is not going to work with a 5W.

The B&W 5th wheel setup won't be able to flip over to be stored in the bed of the Tundra, thereby losing some of the advantage of that design.

Definitely go with the Prodigy and the proper pigtail. A couple of screws on the kick panel and it's plug n' play from there.

I pull 7-8K lb in a big box trailer. Tried it w/o any anti-sway or WD hitch and it was unpleasant.

gooseneck and 5th wheel are not the same thing.
 
   / Gooseneck v. Bumper trailer for me? #9  
This is the perfect application for a gooseneck in my opinion.
 

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