Biggest mistake I made when buying my current trailer, I bought a 20' bumper pull. If I could go back in time I'd get a gooseneck. I don't know why I didn't, I know better having pulled lots of different trailers over the years. Regretted it several times since when needing to be able to back into tight spaces. Thought about selling and getting a gooseneck but would take too big a hit since used trailers don't bring much $$ around here.
Are gooseneck trailers really more maneuverable?
- Thread starter Beltzington
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Redlands Okie
Veteran Member
Gooseneck trailor for more stability, easier weight distribution, and way better turning abilities in tight spaces.
OP
Beltzington
Platinum Member
My observations as well, following a GN or 5th wheel on a narrow road is like watching a fat person negotiate Sam's exit line, you are never sure which lane they are going to meander into.
No question a GN is more stable, so let's leave that out of the discussion, WHY do you say they are more maneuverable? I can put my 18' car hauler and CC truck into some very tight locations. Assuming everything else being equal is it because the apparent overall length of the tow vehicle is shorter or because the GN articulates past the rear end of the tow vehicle?
PS. imagine a 10-ft wide alley, with a 70-degree turn. Are you sure a GN would be easier to back into this than a bumper pull, lets not forget the *** end of your truck is still taking up space.
Lelandwelds
Silver Member
What he said. Not even close. Pulls better too.
two_bit_score
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robertsa
Silver Member
Pulled a lot of both. I don't want to own anything but gooseneck unless it's very small, like my 6x8 utility trailer.
pmsmechanic
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For years I pulled my tractor around with a small bumper pull. Then I went and bought a small goose neck. What a learning curve for backing up. My bumper pull I could back up anywhere the first time. My goose neck took backing up several times to get it into the same place. I was very frustrated. Since then my backing up with the goose neck has improved but I still prefer backing up a bumper pull.
Now to answer the question. Are goose neck trailers really more maneuverable? Based on my experiences in life the answer is no they are not.
Now to answer the question. Are goose neck trailers really more maneuverable? Based on my experiences in life the answer is no they are not.
Deere Dude
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I find backing GN trailers more difficult then BPs. To change direction backing a BP trailer needs needs little movement from the trucks steering. The trailer movement seems to react faster that with a BP.
To make adjustments backing up in a GN needs the whole rear of the truck to move over, which needs a lot of area at times.
Driving forward I find the GN trailers track way inside the arc of travel in turns so greater care needs to be take in corners. Swing wide like the semis do.
I have been running a 37' fifth wheel camper for many years. In 2013 I bought a 28' GN trailer from a dealer in Indiana. I hooked it up, drove straight and at the end of a big parking lot I needed to turn a corner past a few cars. I turned left and I glanced in the mirror and stopped a smidgen before hitting a car. Whew. I need to swing very wide driving forward with it and need a lot of room for backing around corners.
But I love the GN for hauling long distance.
To make adjustments backing up in a GN needs the whole rear of the truck to move over, which needs a lot of area at times.
Driving forward I find the GN trailers track way inside the arc of travel in turns so greater care needs to be take in corners. Swing wide like the semis do.
I have been running a 37' fifth wheel camper for many years. In 2013 I bought a 28' GN trailer from a dealer in Indiana. I hooked it up, drove straight and at the end of a big parking lot I needed to turn a corner past a few cars. I turned left and I glanced in the mirror and stopped a smidgen before hitting a car. Whew. I need to swing very wide driving forward with it and need a lot of room for backing around corners.
But I love the GN for hauling long distance.
StuartDK45SE
Silver Member
Same here. I can back a bumper pull for a mile using only the mirrors. When I first started backing my girlfriend's gooseneck stock trailer it was a big learning curve, but I'm getting better. The first time she was with me and I had to back her trailer she said "I thought you knew how to back a trailer"
AVIVIII
Silver Member
In my book, they are just different tools.
My experience....
Maneuvering: If you have a situation where the truck needs to follow the trailer (in reverse), be lined up straight, or weave in and out of obstacles, a GN takes a lot more room to maneuver the tow vehicle, especially if you are running a truck with a long wheelbase (crew cab long bed). However, if you have situations like a tight loading area and a long trailer, being able to jack-knife the GN into place is a life-saver. Turning around in tight spaces is a win for the GN as well. Again, being able to get the trailer past 90* is a huge saver. A big part if maneuvering is axle location on the trailer. If you have axles in the back (think 18-wheeler) you have to swing the whole system. If you have axles in the middle of the trailer (think camper) than it will pivot more than swing.
Versatility: We currently only have one vehicle that can tow the GN trailer, and of course, its a crew-cab long bed. Its a long truck and a long trailer, so I am generally cautious about taking it to new places. I can push it around empty with the FEL, but if its loaded, forget about it. With the bumper pull trailers, I have options. I can use any of the trucks including the CCLB, 3/4ton suburban, the tractors; I even used the Wife's subaru to take the 16' trailer to the lumber yard for some long and light material!
Capacity: Given the same length trailer, I can put more on a GN than I can on a BP. Letting the truck take a portion of the payload is very helpful. Also, for the same length trailer, I can get more on the GN by putting payload over the hitch.
Driving: The long wheelbases of the CCLB and GN make highway driving REALLY nice. Pulling it around a city or into some small yards is a PITA.
If you can only have one, I would say get a BP unless you have a specific need for the GN. I do love out GN, but I would hate for it to be our only trailer.
My experience....
Maneuvering: If you have a situation where the truck needs to follow the trailer (in reverse), be lined up straight, or weave in and out of obstacles, a GN takes a lot more room to maneuver the tow vehicle, especially if you are running a truck with a long wheelbase (crew cab long bed). However, if you have situations like a tight loading area and a long trailer, being able to jack-knife the GN into place is a life-saver. Turning around in tight spaces is a win for the GN as well. Again, being able to get the trailer past 90* is a huge saver. A big part if maneuvering is axle location on the trailer. If you have axles in the back (think 18-wheeler) you have to swing the whole system. If you have axles in the middle of the trailer (think camper) than it will pivot more than swing.
Versatility: We currently only have one vehicle that can tow the GN trailer, and of course, its a crew-cab long bed. Its a long truck and a long trailer, so I am generally cautious about taking it to new places. I can push it around empty with the FEL, but if its loaded, forget about it. With the bumper pull trailers, I have options. I can use any of the trucks including the CCLB, 3/4ton suburban, the tractors; I even used the Wife's subaru to take the 16' trailer to the lumber yard for some long and light material!
Capacity: Given the same length trailer, I can put more on a GN than I can on a BP. Letting the truck take a portion of the payload is very helpful. Also, for the same length trailer, I can get more on the GN by putting payload over the hitch.
Driving: The long wheelbases of the CCLB and GN make highway driving REALLY nice. Pulling it around a city or into some small yards is a PITA.
If you can only have one, I would say get a BP unless you have a specific need for the GN. I do love out GN, but I would hate for it to be our only trailer.
