Posted 2005-09-25 7:59 PM (#30954) Subject: 1/2 ton trucks and goosenecks
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Austin, Texas
I am new to the forum. I am in the process of looking to buy a two or three horse slant load trailer. I was looking at bumper pulls, but the other day I was told that my 1/2 ton truck could pull a gooseneck trailer. Is this so? I have a 2001 Dodge 1500 regular cab long bed. I know alot of it has to do with the weight of the trailer, but I always thought that goosenecks are too heavy for 1/2 tons.
a 3h GN could easily weigh 5000# empty, that doesnt leave much for horses and tack. but there are lighter ones out there. so basically it will depend on the trailer.
BTW a good WDH doesnt cost any more than a GN hitch.
Posted 2005-09-26 5:57 AM (#30967 - in reply to #30965) Subject: RE: 1/2 ton trucks and goosenecks
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by JLJohnson on 2005-09-26 6:47 AM
What is a WDH? Sorry, I haven't dealt with many horse trailers and I am trying to learn as much as i can before purchasing one.
Jaime
weight distrubing hitch, it is recommended for use on bumper pull trailers with high tongue weights (typically over 500 pounds, most horse trailers fall into this catagory).
Posted 2005-09-26 6:28 AM (#30970 - in reply to #30954) Subject: RE: 1/2 ton trucks and goosenecks
Member
Posts: 40 Location: Maryland
I have a Dodge 1500 5.2 short bed that I tow a 2h steel gn with 4ft dr 20ft overall without any problems. I purchased a aluminum 3h slant load with 4ft dr 26ft and the ram just doesn't pull it as well as the other truck. Puts alittle to much strain on the transmission.
Posted 2005-09-26 11:29 AM (#30985 - in reply to #30954) Subject: RE: 1/2 ton trucks and goosenecks
Veteran
Posts: 127 Location: Fort Worth, Texas
A friend of mine has a Sundowner 2H Slant GN with 4' DR (about 23' overall length and about 4500#) and he pulls it with a 1/2 ton Chevy Silverado 1500 quite easily. I have a 2H Slant GN 4-Star which weighs 3500# and I will be pulling it with a 1/2 ton Silverado LS Extended Cab. I don't have the trailer yet so I can't tell you how it pulls but my friend has no problems with his heavier and longer trailer. My previous trailer was a 2H Straight Load Sundowner and my truck pulled it with no problems at all (trailer weighed about 3400#).
I would be a little cautious about a 3H with a 1/2 ton unless you find an aluminum stock trailer, but you shouldn't have any problem with a 2H with that truck.
Posted 2005-09-26 1:11 PM (#30994 - in reply to #30970) Subject: RE: 1/2 ton trucks and goosenecks
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by Cricket on 2005-09-26 7:28 AM
I have a Dodge 1500 5.2 short bed that I tow a 2h steel gn with 4ft dr 20ft overall without any problems. I purchased a aluminum 3h slant load with 4ft dr 26ft and the ram just doesn't pull it as well as the other truck. Puts alittle to much strain on the transmission.
just curious as to your definition of "a little to much strain". do you have a trans temp gage? what is your basis for that statement, if i may ask?
Posted 2005-09-26 6:21 PM (#31009 - in reply to #30954) Subject: RE: 1/2 ton trucks and goosenecks
Veteran
Posts: 187 Location: KS
I pull a 3 horse slant 20 foot on the floor with my 1/2 ton Z71 and have no problems at all. But I don't think I would want to go any longer than 20 foot.Also I have my transmission backflushed every couple of years. I like the stability of the gooseneck much better then the bumper pull.
1/2 ton trucks and goosenecks
