Posted 2014-06-16 9:52 AM (#159499) Subject: Degree of slant in gooseneck trailer/truck
Location: Saint Paul, MN
What is the proper (and safest) degree of slant from the front of my trailer to the back of my trailer when it is hooked up to my truck? (I have a 3 horse gooseneck with 10 ft shortwall - approx. 23 ft floor 8 ft gooseneck.)
Posted 2014-06-16 11:14 AM (#159501 - in reply to #159499) Subject: RE: Degree of slant in gooseneck trailer/truck
Veteran
Posts: 175 Location: Florida
Loaded you should aim for level. That will put even weight on both trailer axles. Having the front a bit higher is better than the front lower for ride quality.
Posted 2014-06-16 11:40 AM (#159502 - in reply to #159499) Subject: RE: Degree of slant in gooseneck trailer/truck
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Thank you for the reply. When you say a bit higher, what do you mean in terms of inches?
We are planning a trip using my truck and trailer, however my traveling partner wants to use her new truck with my trailer. When her truck is hooked to my trailer there is over 9" difference between the front and back of my trailer (measured from the front of the box to the back of the box of the trailer - not counting the gooseneck). I think that's too much of a slant and it would be hard on my axles, tires, and horses to haul long distance like that - and not very safe.
Her trailer is even lower to the ground than my trailer, and when her trailer is hooked to her truck, the slant difference is greater.
The local horse trailer dealer says that her truck and trailer are just fine to travel that way.
I would be grateful for any comments regarding this.
Posted 2014-06-16 3:18 PM (#159504 - in reply to #159499) Subject: RE: Degree of slant in gooseneck trailer/truck
Veteran
Posts: 175 Location: Florida
9" over a 23' length of trailer sounds a bit much, but I believe that is only about 3-4 degrees. However your gooseneck coupler tube should be adjustable in 2-3" increments - depending on the make of your coupler, it should either have a removeable pin so you can raise or lower the inner tube, or a pair of bolts with lock nuts that you loosen, to raise or lower the inner tube to the next hole. With a 9" difference, I would shorten the hitch tube by one hole and see how it looks. Just make sure you have it locked into one of the adjustment holes and retightened, and you have adequate clearance between the top of the truck bed rail and the bottom of the gooseneck.
Degree of slant in gooseneck trailer/truck
