Gooseneck or bumper pull?

[Bearsixty7]

Fair statement but around here, most everyone has a GN hitch ball in their pickup bed.... 2 7/8" balls are the thing here...

2-7/8"?? I thought most were 2-5/16" or 3"

 

[Bearsixty7]

Actually, a properly installed GN hitch will be CENTERED on the centerline of the rear axle, not in front of it.

I don't think so, almost all I have ever seen are just a couple inches in front which makes perfect sense.

These all say centered or just in front.

https://www.etrailer.com/question-135883.html

8 Steps - Gooseneck Hitch Installation How-To

Installing a gooseneck hitch into your truck involves removing the spare tire, measuring and drilling a hole for the ball, bolting the brackets and hitch head into place and installing the operating handle. Some installations also require trimming a heat shield or fender liner. In this helpful...

www.curtmfg.com

The Common Fifth Wheel Hitch Mistake New Owners Make

The forums at RV.net reveal a common fifth wheel hitch mistake that often happens to new (or even experienced) fifth

blog.campingworld.com

 

[Bearsixty7]

With me, a lot. I like to park the GN at 90 degrees to the truck when loading. That eliminates the shock load on the trucks transmission (especially when in 'Park') because the parking sprag in most transmissions isn't all that strong anyway. I'd much rather 'tighten up' round bales on the GN with it at 90 degrees to the truck.

That's what the parking brake is used for. It should be used every time a pickup with trailer is parked. Although more and more rare, a manual trans makes it obvious.

 

[dodge man]

Make sure your truck has the payload to handle it. I’d say 2500 pounds payload minimum, 3000 better.

 

[ovrszd]

I can't find my paperwork for my B&W hitch. Best I can tell the GN ball is 3.5" ahead of axle center. This is on a 2002 SD Crew Cab short bed.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Fair statement but around here, most everyone has a GN hitch ball in their pickup bed.... 2 7/8" balls are the thing here...

Not 2 5/16".

 

[two_bit_score]

Not 2 5/16".

https://www.etrailer.com/question-228798.html

Expert Reply:
The measurement of the Replacement Hitch Ball for B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Hitches - 2-5/16" # BWGNXA2000 is 2-1/2 inches by 2-1/2 inches by 4 inches. The ball on top of this shank is 4-1/16 inches tall. The hitch pin hole is centered in the shank so it is exactly 2 inches on center from the bottom of the shank. I've attached a couple photos to assist.

 

[zzvyb6]

Couple of points: The reason to put the ball ahead of the rear axle is that when the tow vehicle starts to turn, the trailer immediately initiates a turn in the same direction. If behind the rear axle (bumper pull style), when the tow vehicle starts to turn, the trailer starts to turn in the opposite direction then has to catch up. When at the rear axle, the trailer is on its own without an initial condition boost. Maybe not that important at speeds below 50 mph, but now we see all kinds of trailer combos at speeds at over 80+ mph. And many start to self actuate a sway condition. Hitch ball Height is also a player in the physics of trailer towing if you don't want your critters to roll around a lot on the way to a show.

Second point is that I see a fore-aft cushion type hitch is now available for GN users.

 

[two_bit_score]

Second point is that I see a fore-aft cushion type hitch is now available for GN users.

I can see where that would come in handy for some towers.

 

[Peter 315]

Not 2 5/16".

He has special balls....

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

https://www.etrailer.com/question-228798.html

Expert Reply:
The measurement of the Replacement Hitch Ball for B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Hitches - 2-5/16" # BWGNXA2000 is 2-1/2 inches by 2-1/2 inches by 4 inches. The ball on top of this shank is 4-1/16 inches tall. The hitch pin hole is centered in the shank so it is exactly 2 inches on center from the bottom of the shank. I've attached a couple photos to assist.

So it's 2 5/16" not 2 7/8". Glad there's not a new size out there.

 

[two_bit_score]

So it's 2 5/16" not 2 7/8". Glad there's not a new size out there.

Me too!

 

[LD1]

I also have both. The worst place for a GN is a “T” where you have to make a 90* turn and there are pillars or a mailbox right out by the road. The bumper pull will make it. The GN might knock mailbox or pillars over.

I dont know how many times I have said this very same thing on here.
And a number of times there are the "die-hard" gooseneck guys that want to argue and just say I dont know how to drive

Its funny though. Because its a FACT that you can make a TIGHTER 90-degree turn with a BP trailer.

The "average" country driveway around here only has ONE 20' length of culvert at the road ditch. And unless its a 3-lane wide road where you can swing wide.....dont even think of getting a 25' GN in there or you are gonna crush one of the culvert ends

 

[LD1]

To the OP:

So far we know you are looking at a 14k-16k trailer and a 2500 truck.

But I think we need to know more about what you plan on trailering.....and trailering to where to answer your questions.

For example....how long of a trailer are you looking at? And assuming you are looking at a ~9000-10000 payload capacity?

Too many different configurations of a 3/4-ton truck out there right now.....but my concern with a GN would also be the payload capacity of a 3/4-ton may limit you.

a 1-ton dually with a GN is definitely alot more forgiving about load placement/balance. IE....tongue weight. But a 3/4-ton truck with a 10k load on a GN.....it would be pretty easy to overload the truck if one isnt careful.

And are you looking for something to tow around a farm? In and out of fields? Or to-from businesses? Or are you looking at moving equipment to/from customers jobsites (residential) jobs. Because there are ALOT of driveways I would just park a GN at the road because there was no way to get a GN in the drive.

I went from a 25' GN to a 24' BP trailer. I wasnt opposed to staying with a GN....Just couldnt find what I wanted. Because I did NOT want a deckover. Its a lot easier loading/unloading.....and climbing on/off of a lower trailer with the deck between the fenders.

GN trailers are also HEAVIER.....which can eat into the payload capacity of both truck and trailer if you plan on towing something that is pushing the 26k limit.

 

[shooterdon]

My objective is to deliver bulk bags of firewood. Like this:

Northern Woodsmen Face Cord Firewood Tote Bags

Your source for forestry tools and supplies, arborist gear, kiln drying services, and local hardwood lumber sales.

northernwoodsmen.com

The bags are on 40x48 pallets. Four units on a trailer and the tractor. It seems the best approach is to park on the road and lift the bags off the side of the trailer. I was looking at about a 22-24' foot trailer.

The bags hold 1/3 cord of wood and should weigh about 1300-1600 lbs each. That puts a max. of 6400 lbs on the first 8 ft of the trailer and the tractor weighs 5500 lbs.

 

[5030]

My objective is to deliver bulk bags of firewood. Like this:

Northern Woodsmen Face Cord Firewood Tote Bags

Your source for forestry tools and supplies, arborist gear, kiln drying services, and local hardwood lumber sales.

northernwoodsmen.com

The bags are on 40x48 pallets. Four units on a trailer and the tractor. It seems the best approach is to park on the road and lift the bags off the side of the trailer. I was looking at about a 22-24' foot trailer.

The bags hold 1/3 cord of wood and should weigh about 1300-1600 lbs each. That puts a max. of 6400 lbs on the first 8 ft of the trailer and the tractor weighs 5500 lbs.

Interesting. One of my good friends does exactly that down here but instead of large sacks like that, he bundles split wood in 50 pound bundles and sells it to local campgrounds and does real well with it actually. Keeps all the local campgrounds in firewood which they in turn sell to campers. He delivers the bundles in his pickup truck.

 

[5030]

If I were you, I'd consider a trailer mounted hydraulic jib crane with sufficient capacity to load and off load the totes instead of hauling your tractor around, similar to what loggers use to load and offload cord wood.

I jib crane would weigh a lot less and give you more cargo capacity.

 

[5030]

Its funny though. Because its a FACT that you can make a TIGHTER 90-degree turn with a BP trailer.

That all depends on the length of the trailer tongue. With a BP trailer with a short tongue, a really tight turn will destroy your bumper or worse. Not an issue with a GN until you put one past 90 degrees and run the upper deck or GN into your truck cab.

That is a FACT.

 

[5030]

He has special balls....

Balls to the wall...

 

[shooterdon]

If I were you, I'd consider a trailer mounted hydraulic jib crane with sufficient capacity to load and off load the totes instead of hauling your tractor around, similar to what loggers use to load and offload cord wood.

I jib crane would weigh a lot less and give you more cargo capacity.

One of the options I am looking at is a used flatbed with a jib crane. A flatbed would be easier to maneuver. I can use the tractor to load the flatbed and then use the crane to off load the bags or dump them where the customer wants them.

One advantage of the bulk bags is being able to stage them in a garage, under a car port, etc so I would like to be able to move them once unloaded. I am looking at using a powered pallet jack to move the bag/pallet if I go with the flatbed idea.

I have found a few flatbeds with lift gates and then a crane will not be needed.