Have a lq trailer (Sooner) and am looking for a new vehicle to haul - - considering Dodge 2500 Diesel or Chevy 2500 Diesel - any pros or cons? 6 1/2' bed an issue if we get a B & W gooseneck hitch with extender?
Posted 2014-09-17 7:43 PM (#160801 - in reply to #160800) Subject: RE: Trailer / Truck
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448
Location: Los Angeles, Ca.
You might not need the extender....I just put a B&W on a new Ford shortbed and it works fine with a Sooner without extender. Check out the new Ford diesels...I was really impressed with the drivetrain and towing capacities.
Posted 2014-09-17 10:23 PM (#160804 - in reply to #160800) Subject: RE: Trailer / Truck
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Each of the new diesel brands will offer a great deal of towing power. The shape of the nose and width of the trailer, will determine if you can tightly swing the rig without interference. As was stated, the new Ford short bed handles some trailers without any add on's or modifications.
Some problems have occurred with new trucks and older trailers. The bed rail clearance to the bottom of the gooseneck overhang, has interfered on uneven driving with some combinations. The newer trucks have a deeper bed depth than the older, and some trailers have to have the axles blocked/lifted or the nose run high, which causes additional weight and wear on the trailer's rear axle and tires. The new Ford's 150 bed is almost 2" deeper than our older SD.
You can make a rough estimate of the available clearance, by comparing the measurement of the pin height to the bottom of the GN frame and the truck's bed height, from the floor to the top of the rail. It might be worth the effort to locate a newer tow vehicle similar to what you want, and make arrangements to tow or just hook your trailer to it before purchase. Any sales person interested in a sale should be able to arrange such a meeting. You will be spending a lot of money for your new vehicle, and you'll want to know your options before the purchase.
Posted 2014-09-18 6:17 PM (#160829 - in reply to #160800) Subject: RE: Trailer / Truck
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Morgantown, PA
Thank you for the information. The truck is new, as is the trailer, so hopefully they will work together. The 2015 truck needs to be ordered, so trying it out will not be possible.
I have heard the B & W hitches work well with the shorter beds (6' 5"), without the extender, so I could try it without first. Assuming I could always add the extender?