First time posting on this forum. I was able to answer my first question just by doing some searches... looks like Bison trailers are good quality trailers for first timers into the LQ horse trailer world.
My second question is this... does anyone happen to know what the pin weight is of the Bison Alumasport 8314? The tag shows a total weight of ~17k lbs... is the pin weight of a gooseneck usually 10-15% of the total weight? I currently have a 2008 Dodge 2500 HD, and I plan on adding an extra leaf and air bags to help with the weight. However, just to be safe, I'd like to know what the actual pin weight is.
Posted 2009-05-17 10:20 PM (#105055 - in reply to #105049) Subject: RE: Bison 8314 Pin Weight
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If your trailer weight is 17#K, a rough estimate of the tongue weight is 4250 #, far too much for a 3/4 ton pick up. All of the proposed additional suspension modifications, will not increase the axle's capacity.
Posted 2009-05-18 1:05 PM (#105079 - in reply to #105049) Subject: RE: Bison 8314 Pin Weight
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Posts: 149 Location: Harrisburg, OR
The average weight is 11,400 on an 8314SE with a slide and the pin weight should be on average around 3800 lbs. If you have any questions you can call myself or Bison at 1-574-658-4161. If you can get the last 4 digits of the VIN we can look up the exact weight. Thanks.
Posted 2009-05-18 7:21 PM (#105102 - in reply to #105079) Subject: RE: Bison 8314 Pin Weight
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Posts: 3
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Thanks for the info akin. The last 4 digits of the trailer in question are 9708. The sticker on the trailer lists the GVWR as 17,930 lbs. I assume that's the rated weight fully loaded?
Side question for ya since it looks like you're a Bison dealer. Have you noticed a trend for a Stratus vs. an Alumasport?
Posted 2009-05-19 11:53 AM (#105167 - in reply to #105049) Subject: RE: Bison 8314 Pin Weight
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Posts: 149 Location: Harrisburg, OR
After checking with Marc Deuel our rep at Bison, he said your trailer scaled in at 11,760 lbs dry weight with a tongue weight of 3930 lbs. Most likely you have dual leg hydraulic jacks? He is a great person to contact as well if you ever have any questions.
Bison, on average, builds between 900-1100 living quarter horse trailers per year. Their ratio of steel frame versus aluminum frame is around 2:1…That is close to a trend as I can offer.
Posted 2009-05-19 1:27 PM (#105172 - in reply to #105049) Subject: RE: Bison 8314 Pin Weight
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Posts: 115
As someone with an 8' SW AlumaSport (smaller than the 8314) I can tell you that I was not comfortable pulling my trailer with a 3/4 ton truck. It pulled and stopped it....but not easily enough IMHO. These trailers are heavy, especially once you load the horses and gear. When I stepped up to a dually I was much more comfortable ...and when I went up to the Kodiak C4500 it's been "roses" ever since
Posted 2009-05-19 9:50 PM (#105194 - in reply to #105049) Subject: RE: Bison 8314 Pin Weight
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Posts: 3
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Cool. Thanks guys. I'm in kind of a pickle here... I just bought my 3/4 truck last year, brand new, not knowing I'd be purchasing a LQ horse trailer any time soon. The 8314 we're looking at buying is a really good deal cause the people need to offload it quick. However, I can't get crap for a trade right now, what with it being almost brand new and Dodge being in the financial situation it's in. So, I'm just trying to get a feel for what my options are.
Posted 2009-05-20 10:50 AM (#105212 - in reply to #105167) Subject: RE: Bison 8314 Pin Weight
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Posts: 198 Location: Iowa
Originally written by akinstrailers on 2009-05-19 11:53 AM
After checking with Marc Deuel our rep at Bison, he said your trailer scaled in at 11,760 lbs dry weight with a tongue weight of 3930 lbs. Most likely you have dual leg hydraulic jacks? He is a great person to contact as well if you ever have any questions.
Bison, on average, builds between 900-1100 living quarter horse trailers per year. Their ratio of steel frame versus aluminum frame is around 2:1…That is close to a trend as I can offer.
Just wondering why the pin weight is so high--right around 34% of the trailier weight!! I thought most goosenecks put about 25% of the trailer weight on the pin. Am I missing something?
Posted 2009-05-20 11:17 AM (#105213 - in reply to #105049) Subject: RE: Bison 8314 Pin Weight
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Flooper.... It being that heavy must be because of the steel frame and it must have solid Oak cabinets. If that is the dry weight, I wonder what the pin weight is with full holding tanks, cloths, groceries, odds and ends, etc...
Posted 2009-05-20 12:21 PM (#105220 - in reply to #105049) Subject: RE: Bison 8314 Pin Weight
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Posts: 149 Location: Harrisburg, OR
I see people haul similar trailers with 3/4 tons all the time but I would not recommend it. My suggestion if you're going to keep your truck (which it sounds like is your only option) is to look for a smaller shortwall if staying with the Alumasport. Another option would be to look into the Stratus Express. There are deals to be had and being an all aluminum trailer will be significantly lighter then the Alumasport and allow you to safely go with a larger trailer. My two cents...
Posted 2009-05-20 12:31 PM (#105221 - in reply to #105212) Subject: RE: Bison 8314 Pin Weight
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Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by Flooper on 2009-05-20 10:50 AM
Just wondering why the pin weight is so high--right around 34% of the trailer weight!! I thought most goosenecks put about 25% of the trailer weight on the pin. Am I missing something?
The 25% figure is a rough guesstimate used for GN trailers. The addition of a LQ, especially a 14 LQ, and the inclusion of a slide out, drastically adds to the over all weight of the trailer. Most of the LQ weight is in the front of the trailer, ahead of the axles, and is carried by the hitch.
Some manufacturers will place the axles at the extreme rear of the trailer, others will place them more forward, under the stall area to directly carry the weight of the horses. The further aft they are located, the more the pin weight will increase as well.
When it comes to establishing the pin weight of a GN trailer with a LQ, the 25% figure is quite inaccurate, as established by your own calculations. There are many variables that will effect the actual final weight.
Bison 8314 Pin Weight
