When to go gooseneck

[FatTire]

As a bonus, PJ GN with two 7K axles (T8 for example) comes with a GVWR of 15,600lb. The factory will make a name plate with a lower rating if you need to stay under 26,000 lb. Our F350 has a GVWR of 11,300 so we had the trailer titled at 14,690. At least in Colorado you can only play that game once, I don't know of any way to go back up once the title work is submitted

Another good reason to go with a GN is if you ever to have tow on snow or ice. The GN just handles a lot better on slippery roads since it is loading both truck axles.

 

[BASSIN20]

after reading through all of the replies on this subject, another thing to consider along with the goose neck option is the issue of electric brakes on one or both axles. a 14K trailer will carry some what more than 10,000 lbs. now comes the task of stopping that load in a safe manner. i have several trailers of my own that I carry different weights of equipment on. anything under 10k goes on my trailer that has electric brakes on the back axle. any thing over 10K goes on my trailer with brakes on both axles. if I had only one trailer to work with I would have brakes on both axles just to be on the safe side. as your tryck probably weights some where in the 5,000 lb range. you take the wieght of the trailer ( mine wieght 6K ) then add another 10K of equipment on the back of it. Believe me when I tell you that wieght will over take the tow vehicles ability to stop it if you dont have enough braking power on the trailer its self. I learned this the hard way as there are idiots out there that will pull out in front of you not realizing that you could be rolling down the road with a combined wieght of 20K which will not stop on a dime. my .02 cents

 

[powerstroke444e]

I don't think you can even legally buy a good trailer with out having brakes on both axles. I would suggest going up to 8k axles and super single tires or 17.5 last longer and dot don't look at single tires around here as much as they do tandem duals

 

[dieselcrawler]

Im trying to get to a G/N even if I have to convert my exsisting 20' deckover to do it.

 

[kthompson]

Why do you need safety chain? I do not have safety chain on my 5th wheel... Why is the gooseneck different with safety chains?

I have considered a 10k gooseneck for my tractor. I have kind of outgrown my 16' 7k bumper tow. Part of the reason for me considering a gooseneck is because of how nice my 5th wheel tows. I was also looking at the goosneck plates that fit my bed rails for the 5th wheel hitch.

It just isn't a financial priority for me right now...

My nephew raises horses and has used goosenecks for 25 plus years I know of. Have helped him pull loads some and have used his rig a few times. His trailers and hitch have safety chains on them. It is a ball hitch maybe stronger than a pull ball hitch but still basically same design so why not have safety chains on GN if needed on bumper pull? Which I agree both need them. I must admit have wondered why safety chains are not used on 5th wheels. Then I have no experience with those design.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I don't know how many votes we have for gooseneck's so far but throw my vote in. After about 10k, you can't beat them. The excuse about using the bed is a load of crap. Get a bigger trailer if you need " bed space". I will caution you about loading them correctly. You need more hitch weight than a bumper pull trailer. The guys who park the heavy load over the tandem dual axles and tow with 3/4 ton truck are asking for a wreck. Weight on the rear truck axle is for pulling and braking not bragging rights. If the trailer brakes are 100% and adjusted correctly there should not be a problem, but in a panic stop I wouldn't want someone's death on my mind if I lost control of my rig.

 

[RayCo]

I personally do not like goosenecks. I had one and the loss of bed space plus not be able to pull it with my SUVs made it very limited on how I could use it.

Something to think about?

There have been times in the past that I've used my wife's SUV for towing stuff instead of my truck, and eliminating that option would be a negative side effect. Thanks for pointing this out. I'll have to factor that in.

 

[Btown]

There have been times in the past that I've used my wife's SUV for towing stuff instead of my truck, and eliminating that option would be a negative side effect. Thanks for pointing this out. I'll have to factor that in.

SUV's tow considerable less then 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. So yes if you are moving loads under 8K including a trailer than a gooseneck is not for you. But when you go over 10K you need a truck and a gooseneck will tow better than a bumper pull. Tractor trailers do not need safety chains, because they have air brakes. When it loses pressure the brakes will lock up. I have seen several trailers fall off the tractor that was towing it. If it has a light load the landing gear can survive. But if it is heavy it just breaks.

 

[dieselcrawler]

My wifes excursion has exactly the same drivetrain as my trucks, but the leaf springs are much softer. Therefore I do not like towing with it, due to the perceived reduced capacity. I would feel much better about it with heavier springs and/or air bags.

 

[terryknight]

My wifes excursion has exactly the same drivetrain as my trucks, but the leaf springs are much softer. Therefore I do not like towing with it, due to the perceived reduced capacity. I would feel much better about it with heavier springs and/or air bags.

taht ex will have A codes in it. just swap in some b codes or c codes (if you want a dually ride). they bolt right in. you know that greg

I like my GN, i also like my bumper pull. Depending on what i am doing will determine what i take. GN do take some getting used to. especially the really tight track. there are some roads here i can not take my GN because the GN will track into the ditch. this is my biggest issue.