Bumper Vs. Gooseneck Payloads

[xtn]

No.
For very large radius turns a BP trailer CAN actually track outside.
If, if, if IF..... the hitch ball is back far enough from the rear axle AND the distance from the coupler to the trailer axle (or mid point between axles) is sufficiently short.

I made the mistake of building a hitch one time (just ONCE) that hung WAY outta the back o' the tow vehicle.
For what I tried to accomplish at the time it worked FINE, though it had the obvious drawback of additional leverage against the tow vehicle, increased "effective' tongue weight, increased effect of side sway, etc., however it DID push the trailer out on slight turns.

I've often want to say this in a thread, now I have an excuse; "Do the geometry"
(-:

I'm sorry? Didn't you describe a situation wherein the truck-axle-to-ball distance is longer than the ball-to-trailer-axle distance? I excluded such a condition.

I was NOT proposing a hitch ball farther from the truck's rear axle than from the trailer's axle (or axles mid point) - - and in any case that is not how the geometry works (-:
As I said, "Go figure" or "Go do the geometry".

Oh I think I see what you mean. You're saying that the ratio of distances doesn't have to be as I've described, but that if they're close, and the turn radius is large enough, the trailer can track outside. Okay that's true. Allow me to restate it clearly in the context of the arguments made in this thread:

It is indeed possible for a bumper pull trailer to track outside the towing vehicle in turns with such large radii that it is not a useful point to make when discussing the virtues of various trailers as regards their maneuverability in tight quarters.

Have I stated it accurately now?

xtn

 

[xtn]

Dargo you can respectfully disagree all you want. I'm a little disappointed that you think you know more about me hooking up to my trailers than I do. But then maybe that's an example of your arrogance.

When I can lean around in my seat, seeing the ball in my bed and back to my hitch on the gn I never miss. Evidently your backing skills aren't very good using a high dollar camera. :confused2:

Harder to see the ball from the driver's seat of a crew cab though....

xtn

 

[Iplayfarmer]

This is all relative. It depends on how close the trailers were parked on either side of you, how far back the fence was, the length of your rig, the length of the rigs parked alongside, etc.

Depending on all the above factors in some cases a BP would be better, in other situations a GN would get you out. Like Reg said, it depends on the geometry of the particular situation. A blanket statement can't be made that one type is more maneuverable than the other in all situations.

For me and the way I drive, a gooseneck is much more maneuverable. In other words, I can put a gooseneck where I want it a lot easier than I can a bumper pull. Apparently different folks have different abilities based on experience and who-knows-what else. In the particular situation I was in with the horse trailer, I couldn't have made the turn around in any bumper pull I've ever pulled.

In response to some of the other posts, I find hitching a gooseneck (and 5th wheel) trailer to be much easier that a bumper pull. Something about being able to actually see the ball and the coupler really helps. I have found that I have to be lined up by the time the coupler enters the pickup bed or I have to re-approach. But, I can line the coupler up on the first try. Hitching my bumper pull always takes about three different times of getting out of the truck, walking to the back to see where I am in relation to the trailer, and changing my approach a bit.

My fifth wheel is especially easy... Back up, click, pull away. I don't even have to get out of the cab. I can secure the latch, plug in the lights, and raise the jacks all the way while I'm filling the water tank. (Just don't forget!)

 

[Diamondpilot]

Dargo you can respectfully disagree all you want. I'm a little disappointed that you think you know more about me hooking up to my trailers than I do. But then maybe that's an example of your arrogance.

When I can lean around in my seat, seeing the ball in my bed and back to my hitch on the gn I never miss. Evidently your backing skills aren't very good using a high dollar camera. :confused2:

GN was simple for me when I had a long bed regular cab 1 ton diesel. When I got a crew cab and extended cab it was no easier than a BP. Which for me is not much trouble.

Long story short, truck has a lot to do with it.

Chris

 

[Dargo]

Dargo you can respectfully disagree all you want. I'm a little disappointed that you think you know more about me hooking up to my trailers than I do. But then maybe that's an example of your arrogance.

When I can lean around in my seat, seeing the ball in my bed and back to my hitch on the gn I never miss. Evidently your backing skills aren't very good using a high dollar camera. :confused2:

Sorry, but your sarcasm gets you nothing but laughs from me. Unlike you, I'll still respectfully disagree with you and not be a laughable loon who cannot see the forrest for the trees. Now that I've been plenty nice, I'll just be blunt; you're flat wrong. :thumbsup:

 

[Dargo]

For me and the way I drive, a gooseneck is much more maneuverable. In other words, I can put a gooseneck where I want it a lot easier than I can a bumper pull. Apparently different folks have different abilities based on experience and who-knows-what else.

I mentioned earlier that the only advantage of a GN is if you need to jack-knife the trailer. However, with heavier loads, that's not such a great idea. As far as abilities, if you can't back a truck to a trailer hitch, you just may need some practice. For my needs, a base cab pickup is totally worthless. If you can see the GN ball in the bed of a crew cab pickup, I know some circuses who would want you for a side show.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I mentioned earlier that the only advantage of a GN is if you need to jack-knife the trailer. However, with heavier loads, that's not such a great idea.

I also like the way a gooseneck tracks when backing. I don't have to anticipate the exageration of movements that comes from having the ball a few feet behind the pivot point of the tow vehicle. I'm sure it's just because of the way I drive vs. the way you drive. I put a lot of miles on gooseneck trailers when I was in college. I also remember the first time I backed a 50' semi trailer. I thought I'd be there all day, but the guy teaching me gave me a few pointers, and I did a perfect 3 point turn on the first try. It totally surprised me how easy it was to back vs. the two horse trailer and pipe trailers that I had used in the past.

As far as abilities, if you can't back a truck to a trailer hitch, you just may need some practice.

Point taken. No arguments here. Can you really back up to a ball on the first try without having to get out of the vehicle at all? If so, I am impressed. It gives me hope that I won't have to take ten minutes to hitch a trailer every time for the rest of my life. I'm sure no matter what, I'll still have bumper pull trailers around.

For my needs, a base cab pickup is totally worthless. If you can see the GN ball in the bed of a crew cab pickup, I know some circuses who would want you for a side show.

I agree with you that a base cab truck is worthless in my circumstances. Mine is an extended cab. I have to stretch a little to see the ball, but it beats getting out to check where I'm at every few feet. I can see through the the rear view mirror, too.

Mostly I'm just excited for the time when my kids are old enough to guide me back to a hitch coupler. Then the whole thing is easy.

 

[jwstewar]

Point taken. No arguments here. Can you really back up to a ball on the first try without having to get out of the vehicle at all? If so, I am impressed. It gives me hope that I won't have to take ten minutes to hitch a trailer every time for the rest of my life. I'm sure no matter what, I'll still have bumper pull trailers around.

I can usually hit our camper (a 32' Jayco 32 BHDS pulled by a 1500 Silverado ) on the first time if I can go at it straight. I've got Mom's camper at the house doing some work to it so I have to go at it at about a 45 degree angle - I bought a magnetic I-ball camera to stick on the tailgate. I can also get my utility trailer lined up usually on the first time by watching the tongue jack and aligning it with the bolts in the center of the tailgate. However my 16' stock trailer takes a couple of shots. I can't see the jack post and it is a little narrower so I can't judge the sides with the truck as easily.

W/ our Suburban before the camera would usually take a couple of shots on the utility trailer as well. Only hooked it to Mom's camper once and I did OK on it. Haven't tried our camper as it is too heavy for it (OK, it is too heavy for me truck to, but I make do)

 

[Marveltone]

Some people are just better at backing up than others. I can usually get backed up where I need in the first shot. My Dad needs to back up, pull ahead, straighten up, back up again , back and forth, side to side, etc... Very painful to watch. It doesn't matter whether we're pulling 5th wheels of bumper pulls. I always back up (and hook up) better and faster than him. Once I get to where I need, I'll crack open a Coke, sit back and watch the show.

Overcompensation will get you every time! :thumbsup:

Joe

 

[HHR]

Overcompensation will get you every time!

I couldn't agree more.