Are gooseneck trailers really more maneuverable?

[Beltzington]

I have read both sides on the web but since I have never pulled a gooseneck I don't know. It seems to me because the pivot point is so far forward you would need to swing much wider in turns or when backing up to keep the trailer in the lane. How is this more maneuverable?

 

[bcp]

With the same length trailer, the combination is shorter, so the inside trailer wheels aren't as far inside the turning circle. The trailer axles are closer to the tow vehicle rear axle. And the outer front corner of the trailer is farther from the center of the turning circle, following about the same line as the outer front corner of the tow vehicle.

Bruce


Disregard-I was think of something else. See below.

 

[Rustyiron]

I was picking up round bales the other day (g/n trailer) and had to turn around within an un cut portion of the field and raked rows that I didn't want to disturb. Being able to turn the trailer 90* to the truck with only 1 "jacking around"........ I'd never had been able to do that with a bumper pull even a much shorter one.
It's those situations that you'll see the maneuverability advantage, not so much normal operation on the road.

 

[ovrszd]

With the same length trailer, the combination is shorter, so the inside trailer wheels aren't as far inside the turning circle. The trailer axles are closer to the tow vehicle rear axle. And the outer front corner of the trailer is farther from the center of the turning circle, following about the same line as the outer front corner of the tow vehicle.

Bruce

Bruce, I had to read this a couple times. Hopefully I understand what you are saying.

In the application process it's just not true. A GN trailer shortcuts bad!!!! Way worse than bumper hitch. This is because you don't have the bumper hitch swinging outside the arc.

Payoff is as Rusty described. They are so much more useable in tight situations. I have a 28+4 GN. I can drive into my driveway, up to my shop and cramp the wheels on my truck. It will just barely turn around in my driveway without going onto the grass. The trailer will pivot. If I'm turning to the right the right side tires will roll backward while the left tires roll forward. Basically reversing direction right where it sits. A Bumper Hitch trailer of that length in the situation would be a nightmare.

If the needs of the OP are to haul a heavy load or bulky load requiring a large trailer, go GN.

 

[bcp]

I think I know what happened. I was visualizing a fifth wheel hitch, where the bed went all the way to the front of the trailer, like a flatbed semi.

A gooseneck trailer may not have the front of the bed much farther forward than a bumper pull.

Bruce

 

[ovrszd]

I think I know what happened. I was visualizing a fifth wheel hitch, where the bed went all the way to the front of the trailer, like a flatbed semi.

A gooseneck trailer may not have the front of the bed much farther forward than a bumper pull.

Bruce

Correct.

 

[hosspuller]

A GN is also much more stable pulling. The hitch weight is between the front & rear wheels so the tow vehicle is not front high. The steer tires are firmly planted. Nor does the trailer have a long lever to sway the back of the TV.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

GN is by far and away more manuverable being able to turn past 90 degrees. It's not even a question .

 

[grsthegreat]

I have both bumper pull and gooseneck. In tight situations there is no comparison, the gooseneck can out turn a bumper pull any day of the week. I have a 30 foot 4 horse gooseneck and its a dream to back into tight spaces. When i turn around in the correl, the bumper pull needs alot more room....sometimes making me back up and re position several times to turn around. The bumper pull turns back on itself like a dream.

 

[4570Man]

They might be in reverse. I find that my GNs track wider going forward. But I’ve never had 2 same size trailers for a fair comparison. I also believe my 8 wheel GN tracks wider than a lighter duty 4 wheel trailer, but I’ve never had a fair test for that either.