I have finally convinced the wife that we need to get a trailer to haul the motorcycle and ATV on. I am looking at pipe top utility trailers. I have never pulled a gooseneck trailer. Is there an advantage to the GN versus the standard bumper pull? Is it easier backing with a GN than the BP? I am leaning towards the GN, don't know why, I guess just because I can. I guess one reason for the GN is that I don't know manyfolks with a GN hitch, that makes less people that can borrow it .
I need to get a GN hitch myself, I like the B&W turnover ball type because they sit flush when not in use. One dealer I spoke with said it would cost me an extra $50 for install because I have a sprayed in liner and they would chew up their saw blade when they cut into it. Has anyone been told that before or was he trying to squeeze some more out of me for his kid's tuition?

Thanks,
Rob

 

I think they are just rying to get extra money, however I would just get a Tow hauler that way you can go camping and carry the tows also

 

For the amount of weight you are talking about, I think it makes little difference. If you see some heavy loads in the future, I would strongly consider the GN. I personally like the way a GN pulls and I tend to believe they are more of a heavy-duty trailer, on the other hand it does limit your bed room when towing.

As for the extra charge, I call BS. I have never heard of that and I seriously doubt they would even use a $50 drill bit.

 

I installed my own GN hitch in my truck and it has a spray in bed liner. I used a sawzall and had no problem with cutting the bed liner material. That guy is crazy. Do they think the plastic/rubber bed liner is going to be harder than the metal bed?

I'd go with the GN. The GN is easier to back, and it pulls easier than a bumper pull. You'll also get more weight cap. with the GN too.

 

GN for heavier trailer loads only, more than the rear hitch can safely haul. As long as you don't exceed your tagalongs hitch weight rating, a GN would be no better than a tagalong in my opinion. The owners manual speaks about hitch recommendations. But remember the sticker on the door doesn't change, so your legally bound by the GVW rating on the sticker anyhow.
About the $50 drill bit, he must be charging for a new chassis punch because he doesn't want to clean out the liner material from his. I'm betting he's cutting the hole with a hydraulic punch instead of a bit or saw. Takes 5 minutes tops.
Nat

 

Thanks y'all. Your responses pretty much confirmed what I was thinking, the GN is the way to go. The Dodge factory hitch is only good for 5k lbs. (weight carrying) or 10k lbs. (weight distributing). The BP trailer I was looking at has a 7k lbs. GVWR, therefore I would need a weight distributing hitch . The GN trailer has a 14k lbs. GVWR. More than I need now, but who knows in the future. I read on another post that you should always buy a bigger trailer than you think you need, you will end up using eventually.

~Rob

 

Now that you've finally convinced "the wife" on the merits of a trailer, does she know that you still cannot use the truck bed for loading things in it when pulling a GN?

I second the motion on buying more trailer than you need.

 

When I pull a trailer, I pull it so I don't have to haul things in the truck bed. If space was a problem, why not get a 20 foot gooseneck instead of a 16 foot bumper pull. That gives you better useable space than a truck bed and a 16 foot BP. Also, it's very possible to load and haul things when pulling a GN. If you've got a long bed, you've got 3+ feet in front of the GN ball, and you can load anything behind as long as it's lower than the bed. No, you can't load 4 wheelers and such, but it's easier to load things like that in a trailer anyway.

 

i have been building--selling and hauling with trailers for 30 Plus years. depending what i have in stock when my need for trailer use comes up. if i have a gooseneck available i will use it over a tag along everytime !
also consider a hidden ball type hitch, when you are not towing the ball disappears into the box cavaity and you can lay plywood ect flat in the box.
Herb

 

Something that I have found over about 200k worth of hauling trailers, is that the GN or 5th wheel trailers are a much smoother ride. They put enough weight on the truck, that it takes the mild kicking action out that I have come to associate with tandem axle trailers, particularly tag style units.

Over time, I have also developed a preference for Tridem GN trailers, if you are doing mostly highway Hauling. They are heck on tires if you are always turning sharp, but, you cannot beat them for straight line hauling comfort.

I also agree with the other folks who say, buy more than you need. Better safe than sorry, and when it comes to safety, Remember this little tip.

Dead people don't look good on a driver's abstract.

Happy Hauling

 

I installed my own B&W hitch, and it was tougher to get the 4" hole saw through the bedliner than it was to cut through the steel bed! I would suspect that if you did that all the time, it would dull the hole saw, but still that extra charge is just goofy... It's simple to install yourself, with basic tools/torque wrench, plus 4" hole saw.

You don't mention if you have a long or short bed, but if I recall correctly B&W suggests not storing the ball upsidedown in the socket on a short box... Apparently the ball can hit the dif housing if the springs compress all the way.

If I were you, I would also do the GN (or 5th wheel toyhauling RV). I think they just handle better... Who knows, there may be a need to haul something heavier in your future, and you wouldn't have to upgrade.

PS Might want to rethink that "none of my friends have a goose neck hitch, so they won't want to borrow my trailer" thing... They will just ask to borrow your truck, too.

 

hotdram,
To just pull an atv or cycle around a gooseneck is overkill, gs if for hauling loads too large for bumper pull. What are the licensing laws in Texas? In PA any truck pulling a trailer over 10k must be licensed as a tractor/trailer. My yearly registration is $405 for truck and $27 for trailer. GVWR of over 17K you'll need a medical card. I'd just stick with a small, under 10K, bumper pull trailer. Cheaper and less hassle. Weight distibution set up is cheaper than a good gs.

 

In Texas, you can buy a trailer for farm use and not have to pay sales tax. Also the tags are $5.50 a year. Of course, it helps a great deal if you have a farm or ranch. Both my goosenecks are farm trailers, but like I said, I have the ranch to go along with them.

 

Need a ranchhand (not of the bumper type) ?

 

My recollection was that this was a 2WD versus 4WD thing - don't store the ball upside down on a 2WD because of lack of clearance between the ball and the rear axle. When I ordered my B&W for my 2WD truck, they supplied a blank plug to use when neither the gooseneck nor 5th wheel hitch were in use.

Rusty