I am starting to look for my first truck and trailer, and I really don't have a strong opinion about whether I want a bumper pull or gooseneck, but I do have a limited budget. I know bumper pulls are (in general) cheaper, but I was also wondering about the difference in trucks that would be required to pull a bumper pull vs a gooseneck. Would there be a significant price difference in the truck? I'm only looking for a 2 horse, straight load or slant, so I'm pretty open in what I'm looking for.
Also, I was planning on looking for a used trailer, but are there any new trailer brands that would be less expensive that I could look into?
Posted 2007-06-04 8:20 PM (#61798 - in reply to #61797) Subject: RE: Gooseneck vs bumper pull-pricing difference?
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Smyrna, DE
With your requirements of two horses, a bumper pull would give you the most options for a tow vehicle. With a two horse, a large SUV such as a Tahoe, Expedition, Suburban or 1/2 ton truck with a V8 will work just fine. If you go the gooseneck route, I would recommend going with a 3/4 ton truck which is more expensive. Most auto manufactures don't recommend their 1/2 ton pick ups being used to pull gooseneck trailers.
I'm not sure what your budget is, however, I would recommend looking hard for a used trailer. Back in 2000, we bought a 1986 Trail-Et bumper pull for $4000. Last year, we sold it for $3000. THere are a lot of nice, well maintained used trailers out there - many people buy the two horse bumper pull then the next year trade in for a larger trailer. Let someone else take the depreciation hit!
Heck - my neighbor bought a real ratty 2 horse steel trailer that had seen much better days for $100. For a $500 donation to the local high school industrial arts program, the school basically did a frame up restoration and now it is as good as new.
Gooseneck vs bumper pull-pricing difference?
