I have been looking at trucks (2010/2011 Chevy/GMC/Ford 150/1500).  I currently have a 3HBP, but would someday like to get a 3H GN with a small maybe medium gooseneck not to exceed 8000lbs loaded. 

Can the "standard bed" (not the "short bed") on the 150/1500 support a regular GN without extra adapters or do you have to go to a "long bed"?

Well yes and no....  The gooseneck hitch itself will fit right in and in most cases it will be the same hitch for the short bed and long bed.  Where you will have to be carefull is when buying a trailer for the short box truck.  You will HAVE to have a tapered nose trailer or a set back adapter for the gooseneck.  Trailers with the flat nose will get into the cab when turing if you do not have the set back adapter.

I agree with GONE on the truck.  For the few bucks more step up to the 3/4 truck, bigger brakes, bigger springs, BETTER COOLING for the engine and that should be enough by its self you talk you into it.

You still need to have some experience towing a trailer.  A GN will have a longer wheelbase and the pivot point is over the axle vs the bumper. So it's a little slower to respond to turning imputs.  If your problem is that your existing trailers seems a little squirrelly when backing, or quick to jack knife. Then yes the Gooseneck will seem easier to back. But it will be a bigger trailer and you will hae to account for that extra size. In general as you move up in trailers, you often move up in size of the tow truck.  A small bumper pull behind a sport UTE is much faster to change directions than a CrewCab F350 Long Bed with a big GN.

GN in general are much more stable to tow. You will feel more confident towing a GN.  There is less swaying or Tail waging the dog with a GN.

A little practice with the trailer and you wil become comfortable backing it into tight spots.

You'll be fine. Riding friend is pulling a square nosed featherlite GN with a 2007 Chevy 2500 short box. Can't go a full 90* and always has a spotter in tight places. He has no issues.

Just be careful

 I've never had to go a full 90 in any situation.  

One thing that no one's mentioned is how much more difficult it is to hook up a gooseneck alone if you have a short box!

In the past my husband's trucks were all Ford 350s with the crew cab and regular box. I could hitch up my Featherlite gooseneck alone without difficulty because I could see the truck's ball from the cab. So it was simply a matter of backing into position. But this fall hubby bought a Dodge 3/4 ton with what they call a crew cab (quite a bit shorter than the Ford crew cab) and a shorter box. I'm not sure if Dodge calls this size box a "short box", but it certainly is quite a bit shorter than the Fords I'm used to. The first time I went to hook up the horse trailer, I just about had a heart attack! Due to the shorter box, it is completely impossible for me to see the ball as I'm backing the truck. This might be okay if I had a helper, but I almost never have anyone at home when I hook up. I had to get out of the truck everytime i backed up a few inches, see where I was at, climb back into the truck, back a bit further, get out again, etc multiple times!!! It made the job much more difficult. And i can only imagine how frustrating that will be, especially if I've got an emergency, am in a rush, or trying to hook up at a crowded show! Just a thought, but as a woman driver I do find this a problem.

For years I pulled a bumper pull stock trailer, and was pretty good at backing it up. When we got the gooseneck, I went through a learning curve in figuring everything out. It takes longer for the gooseneck to respond, so I have to give myself extra room to maneuver. Otherwise the feel is quite similar. Now that I've had it for a year I'd guess I'm back to being confident with backing it up. The improvements with a gooseneck are enough that I'd put up with the minor differences in backing, anyhow. I love how the gooseneck gives you that big dressing room upfront. We did our 4' dressing room into a tiny weekend package, and I LOVE!!!!! being able to stay in my trailer at shows. Plus, the gooseneck is very stable on the truck, and normally I could almost forget its there. There is no wobbling or feeling that you're being pulled by the trailer, like you can get with a bumper pull.

I can understand why you'd consider a short-box trailer if you're trying to get your unit a bit shorter. There is no doubt that our new truck with the shorter crew cab, and the shorter box, takes up less space to park, and probably turns quicker. But there are pros and cons with both, and personally I would stick with the long box when push comes to shove. The small difference it makes in parking will quickly be outweighed with the extra problems of hooking up. Of course, if you always have help, or someone will always do it for you, then it probably doesn't matter!

I've tried a few tricks (such as laying a rope across the target) to make it easier to hook up my gooseneck now that we have the shorter box trailers, and they do help. But none of them are as handy and simple as plain old being able to see the ball!!! And being able to back up the truck and hit the target the first time is fine if you can see the target, but not quite so simple if you can't see it!

I might have to invest in an actual "ball finder" type gadget to make my life easier.

Great suggestion for those of us that are vertically challenged. 

Most of the new trucks come with options for back up cameras. Most of the cameras only focus on the bumper ball. But you can add a 2nd or 3rd camera to them ( usually with a 3rd party product called "Lockpick")  With this 3rd party you can turn through your cameras and have one on the bumper, one in the bed focused on the GN ball and a 3rd in your horse trailer if you so choose.

I use the one focused on my bumper almost daily.

A plunger sitting on top of the ball works pretty good!

This might not be as cheap as a bungee cord, but its still pretty affordable at $12

http://trailersight.com/

Its relatively inconspicous and removable.

Kelly