Wanting to buy an equipment trailer

Diamondpilot · Jun 1, 2011

whateg0 said:
I don't get the mini-gooseneck thing either. Is it just a clearance thing? It offers none of the benefits of a "real" GN and looks kind of heavy.

I would think if you are having trouble with the excavator falling off the trailer, it needs to be tied down better, right?

It all has to do with TAXES. In many states such as Kentucky where these trailers are built (Gatormade Trailers), there is no tax on GN trailers because of a exemption on the books. It was intend for farmers but everyone is taking advantage of it.

figure a $4000 trailer at 7% tax rate thats $280. On a bigger trailer you could be talking a grand.

Chris

bcp · Jun 1, 2011

Never heard of it or saw one, so had to find a photo.

20ft low profile equipment trailer (mini-goosneck)

JB4310 · Jun 1, 2011

bcp said:
Never heard of it or saw one, so had to find a photo.

20ft low profile equipment trailer (mini-goosneck)

Wow I've never seen one before, not sure what to think. Looks pretty cool though. Doesn't look like it adds any extra length. I agree it does look heavy though

I'll tell you right now it would solve a clearance problem I have. My trailer scrapes the ground with the jack as I go over the sidewalk and driveway apron on my steep driveway.

I imagine it would be better in rough terrain.

JB

Duffster · Jun 1, 2011

Highbeam said:
Tough to back up.

What? Give me a GN any day for backing up and manuvering.

Diamondpilot · Jun 2, 2011

Duffster said:
What? Give me a GN any day for backing up and manuvering.

I have to agree with both of you to a point. I can put a bumper pull right were I want it. GN is slower to respond and with such wild swings of the truck to get a relatively small movement of the trailer I would say a BP is easier to back up most of the time. A GN is better when you have a weird angle or really tight turn.

End of the day I will probably never own another GN so it does not really matter to me. I like the bed of my truck too much. BP is the only way to go for me now days.

Chris

Duffster · Jun 2, 2011

Diamondpilot said:
I can put a bumper pull right were I want it. GN is slower to respond and with such wild swings of the truck to get a relatively small movement of the trailer

I can put a GN right were I want it as well, easier too. If we were to have a contest on backing up fast and straight I would pick a GN to use every time. I can also put a GN in places that you can't get a BP.

That said I think it boils down to experience on both. I had towed a GN for thousands of miles before I had ever towed a BP.

Diamondpilot · Jun 2, 2011

Duffster said:
I can put a GN right were I want it as well, easier too. If we were to have a contest on backing up fast and straight I would pick a GN to use every time. I can also put a GN in places that you can't get a BP.

That said I think it boils down to experience on both. I had towed a GN for thousands of miles before I had ever towed a BP.

It also has a lot to do with the trailer, truck length, trailer axle placement, ect.

I can back up my 32' boat trailer much easier and faster than I could 8' Jetski trailer or my 18' car hauler. Yes, the trailer length has something to do with it but the placement of the axles has more to do with it.

Chris

downslope · Jun 3, 2011

Diamondpilot said:
It also has a lot to do with the trailer, truck length, trailer axle placement, ect.

I can back up my 32' boat trailer much easier and faster than I could 8' Jetski trailer or my 18' car hauler. Yes, the trailer length has something to do with it but the placement of the axles has more to do with it.

Chris

Here is the thing about backing up a gooseneck vs. a bumper-pull. Which one is better or easier depends on the area you have to maneuver in. Suppose you are at the end of a long dead-end street or alleyway and you have to back into a tight space that is near the dead end. Also assume that you can't back the rig down the entire length of the street. In that case a bumper pull would be best since it can be turned quicker in reverse in a shorter distance.

Now suppose the opposite. Let's say the area you have to maneuver in is not a dead-end but it is very narrow. In this case a gooseneck should do better since the overall length will be less when you get it jacknifed.

In some situations it wouldn't make a difference depending on the geometries that Chris mentioned.

As far as backing up at fast speed in wide open space I would take the gooseneck since it wouldn't be as twitchy.

JB4310 · Jun 3, 2011

I imagine a U-turn with a goose-neck would take less space?

I think you could partly do a K maneuver with a goose neck as well making for an even tight turn.

I've seen tractor trailers turn around in tighter spots than a pick up could.

JB.

QRTRHRS · Jun 4, 2011

Diamondpilot said:
It all has to do with TAXES. In many states such as Kentucky where these trailers are built (Gatormade Trailers), there is no tax on GN trailers because of a exemption on the books. It was intend for farmers but everyone is taking advantage of it.

figure a $4000 trailer at 7% tax rate thats $280. On a bigger trailer you could be talking a grand.

Chris

Thinking that the tax break was part of the marketing sceme, I did ask Gatormade about that. The "mini-gooseneck" does not quality for the tax break in KY.