Trailer Purchasing Advise

[deezler]

So educate me: A gooseneck is an example of a 5th wheel isn't it? What is the difference?

Fallon explained it pretty well, and a basic google search will show you the mounting/connection differences. For the life of me I cannot fathom why both styles exist though. Most campers are 5th wheel and most equipment trailers are gooseneck (ball). Why wouldn't you want them the same ?!

 

[jyoutz]

Because unless you have the new puck setups (I guess everyone does now?) you have a stupid metal bracket always sitting there on the floor of your truck bed. And regardless of which system you have, you have to wrangle a 100+ lb hitch in and out of your bed if you want to trailer something, and then go back to a clean bed afterwards. Edit: wait, am I confusing 5th-wheel with GN balls? I am. Obviously I am not experienced here LOL.

Regarding safety, you basically explained what I meant. You have to pull out wide on any tight turn with a GN, many people dont, and pull their trailer into a ditch. I've seen it several times. Operator error, but it's easy to do.

Gooseneck balls usually fold away flat under the truck bed when not used. You’re thinking of a fifth wheel hitch. Google photos of both and you’ll see the difference.

 

[JWR]

Both mount in the same place, the middle of the bed & not on the bumper. A gooseneck is just like a ball for a bumper pull. A 5th wheel is what you see on the back of a semi. A big greasy plate with a notch in it. The trailer has a pin in it that slides into the notch.

A 5th wheel hits weighs 100 odd pounds on a pickup & takes up a lot of the bed. It may be easier to hitch up as you just back into the trailer. Things somewhat self align if you are close. You need to lower the jack, back up, align closely then raise the jack to hitch a gooseneck.

Technically you need safety chains for any ball hitch (goose or bumper), but don't for a 5th wheel. Not clear if that's politics or a technical reason.

RV trailers almost always come with a 5th wheel hitch. Horse trailers & work trailers almost always use a gooseneck. Converting a gooseneck trailer to 5th wheel is pretty rare. Converting a 5th wheel trailer to a gooseneck usually isn't to difficult & done a bit.

Outstanding explanation. I have no experience with either one (though I certainly understand the physics of where the pivot point is located, etc.)

Thanks.

 

[ovrszd]

Because unless you have the new puck setups (I guess everyone does now?) you have a stupid metal bracket always sitting there on the floor of your truck bed. And regardless of which system you have, you have to wrangle a 100+ lb hitch in and out of your bed if you want to trailer something, and then go back to a clean bed afterwards. Edit: wait, am I confusing 5th-wheel with GN balls? I am. Obviously I am not experienced here LOL.

Regarding safety, you basically explained what I meant. You have to pull out wide on any tight turn with a GN, many people dont, and pull their trailer into a ditch. I've seen it several times. Operator error, but it's easy to do.

Yep, easy mistake to make if not familiar with the two types.

One of my GN balls is a "turn over" design. One is a "remove" the ball design. Both leave a flat bed floor.

 

[4570Man]

Fallon explained it pretty well, and a basic google search will show you the mounting/connection differences. For the life of me I cannot fathom why both styles exist though. Most campers are 5th wheel and most equipment trailers are gooseneck (ball). Why wouldn't you want them the same ?!

I’m really not sure why they do that. A 5th wheel is the superior connection but campers aren’t exactly the definition of quality so I doubt that’s the determining factor. A 5th wheel is easier to hookup if you were doing it frequently but having to deal with hitch takes far more work than the increased difficulty of a GN so I doubt that’s that’s the reason either. The best reason I can think of is camper frames aren’t overly sturdy and a 5th wheel neck is less stressful vs a gooseneck.

 

[jyoutz]

I’m really not sure why they do that. A 5th wheel is the superior connection but campers aren’t exactly the definition of quality so I doubt that’s the determining factor. A 5th wheel is easier to hookup if you were doing it frequently but having to deal with hitch takes far more work than the increased difficulty of a GN so I doubt that’s that’s the reason either. The best reason I can think of is camper frames aren’t overly sturdy and a 5th wheel neck is less stressful vs a gooseneck.

I think it’s because you can usually hook up a fifth wheel by looking out the back window, but the gooseneck usually requires a spotter or several trips out of the driver’s seat to check alignment (at least for me).

 

[deezler]

So I guess the question is, why aren't equipment trailers also a 5th wheel style hitch? Is it because they figure such trailer owners/operators might need their truck bed to be clear and useable more easily? Whereas, a camper 5th wheel guy is probably just... camping. ?

 

[ljjhouser]

Also I might point out that the newer trucks that have cameras in the back that can be temporally set to closeup mode make it possible to see the hitch and ball close to make it a one shot position before you get out and lower the coupler. if you had a bed camera, the same might be possible with the GN.

 

[dodge man]

I bought a log splitter from a guy yesterday, he’s moving into town. What attracted my attention was a car hauler for sale sitting along the road. Tandem axle, brakes on both axle, a little over 10 years old $1500. I probably would have bought it and sold mine for more than than $1500. He sold it already though, took about 2 hours.

 

[ovrszd]

I bought a log splitter from a guy yesterday, he’s moving into town. What attracted my attention was a car hauler for sale sitting along the road. Tandem axle, brakes on both axle, a little over 10 years old $1500. I probably would have bought it and sold mine for more than than $1500. He sold it already though, took about 2 hours.

I bought an 8 year old 12K, 18x2, 4 brakes, very good tires for $2,500 and felt like I got a great deal. That was a steal!!!!

I thought you were going to say you bought the splitter, and the trailer to haul it home!!!!

 

[jyoutz]

I bought an 8 year old 12K, 18x2, 4 brakes, very good tires for $2,500 and felt like I got a great deal. That was a steal!!!!

I thought you were going to say you bought the splitter, and the trailer to haul it home!!!!

That is a great price. I wish I could find something like that.

 

[Beezz27]

Well, I did it! I pulled the trigger on a 22ft 14k bumper pull. It's a GPS brand (they are a manufacturer out of GA). The cross members are 16 on center, it has a 12k jack, all LED lighting with heat shrunk plug in connectors (no scotch locks), ramps that slide within a foot of each other, adjustable/changeable coupler, and even got a matched spare (a little extra but still cheaper than if I bought it myself). Have not had the Kioti on it yet but that will happen this evening or tomorrow. Bought it from a dealer about an hour away so I have about an hour of time with it behind the truck, the overall length is just shy if 28ft so that's going to take a little bit to get used to over the 16 footer I have been running but it won't take me long, it backed very well with the axles so far behind me. I know the deal, "didn't happen with no pictures" I will snap a few as soon as I can, it's raining pretty good here now, so stay tuned.

 

[JWR]

The specs and photos are not that easy to locate on-line. I think I have the right one at EQUIPMENT HAULER 14K and those are good, solid looking trailers. Not cheap ! The 28ft length may be somewhat of a nuisance depending on where you park it, etc. but I would think this should pretty much last you for life. Good lookin' trailer ! Specs say the fenders are heavy enough to "drive over." I opted for a deck-over model when I bought the Pequea which I like for width freedom.

 

[LD1]

The specs and photos are not that easy to locate on-line. I think I have the right one at EQUIPMENT HAULER 14K and those are good, solid looking trailers. Not cheap ! The 28ft length may be somewhat of a nuisance depending on where you park it, etc. but I would think this should pretty much last you for life. Good lookin' trailer ! Specs say the fenders are heavy enough to "drive over." I opted for a deck-over model when I bought the Pequea which I like for width freedom.

Its only 6' longer than what he is used to.

A trailer that size is just about perfect for tractor'ing equipment.

16' trailers just feel too small. More geared toward skidloaders and mini-ex's which are alot more compact.

 

[JWR]

Its only 6' longer than what he is used to.

A trailer that size is just about perfect for tractor'ing equipment.

16' trailers just feel too small. More geared toward skidloaders and mini-ex's which are alot more compact.

Yeah, I know. His current "normal" load is just not long enough to need that long a trailer. Maybe it is good in that it gives him expansion room for future equipment. In my own circumstance, I went for the in-between which is a trailer that totals 25ft long. No matter, he has pulled the trigger and it is a fait accompli.

 

[tradosaurus]

Wow. Didn't realize how substantial prices have increased on trailers.

Big Tex 14ET-18

Bought this same trailer 4 yrs ago for almost $5K cheaper than listed above.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

When I was looking for a tilt trailer ran up on an older 2008 22 ft tilt with the 4 ft fixed up front steel plate and then 18 ft of wood and then 2 ft of steel. That has worked well for us. Now it needs new wood I think it was $2,250. The brand I don't remember but they went out of business in 2008 with a lot of places went out of business but it has the 14K rating

We have a flat 18 ft 2 axle no tilt with a 7,000 lb axles which I prefer for running out to pick up anything that it can carry it because it pulls better and weighs about half as much as the tilt trailer.

Both came with good titles and are tagged.

Never noticed a difference between the 18 ft and 22 ft when towing due to length but started out towing the 22' first.

 

[JWR]

Wow. Didn't realize how substantial prices have increased on trailers.

Big Tex 14ET-18

Bought this same trailer 4 yrs ago for almost $5K cheaper than listed above.

Yep; my Pequea was $4000 cheaper than that but several years ago too...

 

[crashz]

OP - you will wonder how you ever got along without it! Beside the storage space, I bet that new trailer will tow so much better than your borrowed 16 footer. Not trying to pick on it, as it did the job, but she looks rough.

I was in the same boat and towed using my father's 16ft Custom. Did the job, but was usually a white knuckle experience. The new trailer tows so well that I hardly know its there. My big mistake was that I bought a 18' trailer on the lot versus ordering the 20 footer that I wanted. Looking back I wish I got a 22 or 24ft trailer, and deck over.

When that lottery ticket hits I'll go get another one!

 

[Beezz27]

We’ll as promised her are a few pics, this was the fist time I loaded it so I have not moved the tractor forward or backwards to try for a find balance but where it is sitting in the pic made for a good pull on the inaugural haul (only about 7 miles). But I love the trailer and super happy I went with the 22ft!