what is best for towing mini-ex - gooseneck or ball hitch?

[Ken45101]

I don't know what you would need to use a rear ball hitch for that kind of weight on that kind of truck. It sounds extreme, if not unsafe. I don't know if they make weight distributing hitches for 14,000 GVW trailers.

I think pintle hitches are for things like dump trucks, big heavy trucks with a heavy frame, not for 3/4 ton pickups.

I tow a 14,000 GVW gooseneck with a 9000# excavator, or tractor or skid steer. Tows very well. The B&W turnover hitches are nice, you have a flat truck bed when the hitch is not in use.

You will probably have to watch how you distribute the weight with only a 3/4 ton truck. Our 14,000 GVW gooseneck horse trailer had too much hitch weight for our F250. Upgraded to a C3500 dually and all is well. But with loading equipment, you have more choice on how to balance the load on the trailer.

 

[Builder]

G'day experienced towers,

I am looking to buy a trailer to tow my mini-excavator. It weighs in at 9,000lbs and I am planning to tow it with my Ram 2500 Diesel. The trailer spec I am looking at is 18'+2' beavertail, 14,000lb gvwr. This puts the rig with my ex loaded just about at my limit for my truck and the trailer.
I have years of experience with a ball hitch towing light loads but I have never tried towing this much weight or hitching with a gooseneck.
The question I have is: what are the pros and cons of a gooseneck vrs ball hitch (or pintle).
I'm looking for a stable ride and ease of hitching up at the max capacity of my truck and trailer.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences.
Randy

I'm surprised the crack-shot moderation staff hasn't moved this thread to the trailers & transportation thread. Maybe they're too busy breaking up trouble between me & drago.

What year is your 2500? I would think towing 14K off the back of a 3/4 ton is well over your trucks bumper pull tow capacity. Most are rated to a maximum of 12K.
I'd vote for a 5th wheel/goose setup. The pros are the increased weight capacity and better manueverability. The cons are lost bed space and higher purchase cost. Check your trucks GCWR before you buy.

Just a suggestion on buying: Make sure you check out the trailer you want to buy thoroughly. Some trailers which came highly suggested turned out to be poorly painted, poorly wired junk with bad customer support. Usually, you get what you pay for. Look underneath for chinese tiores, scoth locks on wires instead of soldered/sealed connections and thin paint, bad welds, etc.

Heard nothing but good things about Cam Superline, Belmont and PJ trailers. There's a lot of "regional" trailer markets out there, so there's plenty to chose from in any given area in the country.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I tow 12k (trailer and machine) on an f350 with combo pintle 2.5" sleeve, and 2 5/16 ball. I like the short 16' trailer and it is very steady and easy to maneuver.

Gooseneck is a much nicer ride for most chores but it just depends on how long you want your trailer.

 

[Builder]

I tow 12k (trailer and machine) on an f350 with combo pintle 2.5" sleeve, and 2 5/16 ball. I like the short 16' trailer and it is very steady and easy to maneuver.

Gooseneck is a much nicer ride for most chores but it just depends on how long you want your trailer.

That's about the same as my Bri-Mar 12K.

Next time I'm going longer to get more attachments on board.

 

[scoutcub]

I just upgraded my trailer and towing ability and had read many of the same comments about goosenecks towing so much nicer. I was set on a triple axle pintle setup, but ended up going gooseneck after much research.
I had a LoadMax 18'+4" 14K ball hitch, and went to a LoadMax 20+5 22K gooseneck. All I can say is.... everyone was right! The goose pulls so much better, it's really noticeable. Maybe it's just me, but the 7000lb goose pulls easier than the 4000lb ball hitch.
I like it so much, I just ordered a brand new LoadMax 25+5, also cause I need the extra length and triple ramps. Now I just have to sell the 20+5....
The only downsides I noticed about the goose are the increased turn distance, the hitch pull would swing right around a corner, but the gooses turn way inside that. And, it took me forever to hook it up, have to work on that. I have a little backup camera for the ball hitch, that was the ticket!
I got the inbed goose hitch where the ball flips upside down, so you have a flat bed. (for my truck camper) It's a very nice setup. Good luck!

 

[Ken45101]

it took me forever to hook it up, have to work on that.

I don't know what truck you have but I stretch a rubber strap side to side on my pickup two inches forward of the gn ball, with a piece of string tied in the center. I eyeball it when I put the strap in position. I can see the rubber strap in the mirror and backup to it.

Ken

 

[scoutcub]

good tip, thanks!

 

[DBLR]

I couldn't imagine pulling a load larger than 6k with anything except a gn. I've been pulling everything from 32 foot cattle trailers loaded to a 14k GVW horse trailer loaded and have always used a gn. That is until i just bought a tractor weighing 6k with a bumper pull trailer. Felt like the load was driving the truck more than I was. It all boils down to physics in that with a bumper pull you are giving the load leverage on the truck. The weight of the load on a gn is centered over the rear axle taking that leverage away. Anyhow my vote is gn, hands down.

 

[Builder]

I couldn't imagine pulling a load larger than 6k with anything except a gn. I've been pulling everything from 32 foot cattle trailers loaded to a 14k GVW horse trailer loaded and have always used a gn. That is until i just bought a tractor weighing 6k with a bumper pull trailer. Felt like the load was driving the truck more than I was. It all boils down to physics in that with a bumper pull you are giving the load leverage on the truck. The weight of the load on a gn is centered over the rear axle taking that leverage away. Anyhow my vote is gn, hands down.

A weight distributing hitch can help with this problem.

 

[case646]

i pull my skidsteer and ex with a goose neck don't even waste your time with a bumper pull in my opion its a total waste of money you will be happy with a goose neck