Bumper Vs. Gooseneck Payloads

Diamondpilot · Apr 25, 2011

If you like GN trailers go for it. Sounds like you are sold on the benefits. I just never really liked mine. It pulled good but so does the 20 plus bumper pull trailers I have owned, mainly boats. Its all about sizing the trailer to the truck so if you can get by with only 4,000# of load capacity you are set.

For example I have a 18' BP car hauler that is only 1,250# empty. I added a winch and a tool box plus 5' slide in ramps. I would guess the trailer is now about 1,400# and has 2 3,500# axles That leaves me with 5,600# for payload. I have hauled 1/2 ton truck and a Suburban on it. They max it out but it works great for me. It has hauled more lumber, soil, gravel, mulch, broken down cars, and tractors then you can imagine.

What I am getting at here is what works for one may not work for another.

You are right about what is the limiting factor. For your setup its going to be the GVWR of the truck. In your case you can tow more legally with a BP. On another truck it may be the rear axle, hitch, tires, ect.

Chris

whistlepig · Apr 25, 2011

Goosenecks are nice if you don't need to use your bed. The gooseneck trailer doesn't "work" the truck like a bumper pull and they are less tiring to pull. In my experience they are easier to back also.

brain55 · Apr 25, 2011

whistlepig said:
Goosenecks are nice if you don't need to use your bed. The gooseneck trailer doesn't "work" the truck like a bumper pull and they are less tiring to pull. In my experience they are easier to back also.

I agree that a GN doesn't work the truck like a BP and they do seem less tiring to pull. I have pulled a lot with a BP, everything from small single axle utility trailers to heavily loaded equipment trailers and heavy enclosed trailers with weight distributing hitches. I love my GN, but it is a constant static load so I don't have to worry about weight distribution, I got lucky and mine happened to end up right at 25% on the nose. As far as being easier to back-up, I'm not sure about that yet. I think it becomes more of a function of what you are used to. I could parallel park my BP, but I'm still getting the hang of my GN.

I have to agree with Chris about GN's not having a place on 1/2 ton trucks, but I'm not really a fan of 1/2 ton trucks for much of anything. I also come from a construction fleet management background where 1/2 ton trucks were for PM's that really didn't work their trucks. Trucks intended for work and towing were 3/4 and 1 ton trucks with long beds or flat beds. Every time we tried to move a 1/2 ton into an everyday hard working, heavily loaded situation it just didn't hold up.

Brian

QRTRHRS · Apr 25, 2011

Might be age talking here but with a stock pickup bed, goosenecks are a pain to hitch up, especially if the trailer is enclosed. If the truck has a flatbed, it's a little easier.

PoorMansCat · Apr 25, 2011

Never have an issue making the hook on the GN trailers.. its the bumper pull that I find myself getting out 2-3 times to get it just right... I gotta get a backup camera!!!!...

Maybe I have been thinking aobut this all wrong, but... when you are using a GN... the hitch is in FRONT of the rear axle, so isnt some of the pin weight be transferred to the front axle also???
Whereas a bumper pull is SOLELY on the rear axle and actually being leveraged by the distance front the centerline of the rear axle to the BP hitch ball???

Diamondpilot · Apr 25, 2011

You are correct. A properly installed GN hitch is 6" forward of the rear axle. I do not like them for off road stuff at all. Its easy to get the trailer into the tailgate or bed sides. Also as mentioned by Brian they are tougher to back up. Its all because of the ARM. On a BP you have a long arm from the rear axle to the pivot point, the ball. Maybe 4' on average. On a GN you are talking 6".

I have no issue hooking either up but now days with a backup camera its super easy to hitch up a BP by yourself. I love that feature in my Titan.

Also, as mentioned, as you get older its a pain climbing in and out of the bed to hitch up. Give me a BP any day of the week for a number of reasons but thats just me.

As for being more fatiguing maybe, not really sure. I drove to my drivers test pulling a trailer, a 21' boat on a tandem axle trailer, and dropped it in the parking lot to take the test. My dad always let me drive to and from the lake as soon as I got my learners permit. Now I realize why. Him and Miller Light were good boating buddies.

Chris

grsthegreat · Apr 25, 2011

tougher to back up????? my experience with the several gooseneck trailers ive owned, there way EASIER to back up and maneuver???

whistlepig · Apr 25, 2011

One would have to try a GN and a bumper pull to appreciate the difference. There are very good reasons for both. For small and general utility hauling a GN would be too much. But for the heavy stuff like 10K to 12K plus it is a serious consideration.

whodat526 · Apr 25, 2011

i like my gn trailers because i always try to over load everything i pull so a bumper pull just wont work. but i think the gh is way easier to back up than a bumper pull but both is pretty easy once u get the hang of it and both trailers have there places

timswi · Apr 25, 2011

brain55 said:
I agree that a GN doesn't work the truck like a BP and they do seem less tiring to pull. I have pulled a lot with a BP, everything from small single axle utility trailers to heavily loaded equipment trailers and heavy enclosed trailers with weight distributing hitches. I love my GN, but it is a constant static load so I don't have to worry about weight distribution, I got lucky and mine happened to end up right at 25% on the nose. As far as being easier to back-up, I'm not sure about that yet. I think it becomes more of a function of what you are used to. I could parallel park my BP, but I'm still getting the hang of my GN.

I have to agree with Chris about GN's not having a place on 1/2 ton trucks, but I'm not really a fan of 1/2 ton trucks for much of anything. I also come from a construction fleet management background where 1/2 ton trucks were for PM's that really didn't work their trucks. Trucks intended for work and towing were 3/4 and 1 ton trucks with long beds or flat beds. Every time we tried to move a 1/2 ton into an everyday hard working, heavily loaded situation it just didn't hold up.

Brian

Brian,

I understand what you need in a truck for your work, but that was an unfortunate blanket statement to all of us who beat our 1/2 tons to death with no issues. I would like to have a 1 ton Dmax but can't justify the cost, plates, insurace etc for something I'll actually need 6 times per year. My half tons have never, ever failed me. You wouldn't believe what I've done to them.

No argument here, just defending the rest of us.