Posted 2012-05-20 6:09 AM (#144077) Subject: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Member
Posts: 11
Location: maryland
Hi Everyone, I have been researching trailers for 2 yrs and I am finally ready to take the plunge. I have a 2010 Toyota Tundra and I am trying to decide between a BP w/ dressing room or a GN w/o dressing room but w/ a side ramp. Any opinions? Thanks for the input. I just discovered this forum and it is a great source of info!Betsy
Posted 2012-05-20 10:29 AM (#144086 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
The Tundra is a 1/2 ton truck. My personal opinion is they make a great daily driver, excellent to chase to Home Depot and pick up bedding plants for the yard or drop the lawn mower off at the repair shop, run your son to ball practice with a couple bags of team equipment in the bed. But they are not a serious tow vehicle.
The 2010 Tundra has a rated payload of 1385lbs when equiped with a tow package. Subtract a Driver and passenger (2x150lbs) and your effect payload is 1085 lbs. Install a B&W Turnover ball for your Gooseneck Hitch and Subtract another 100lbs leaving you 985lbs of payload. I don't know of any Gooseneck trailers that have that light of a pin weight.
The truck is rated to tow a 8100 lb trailer. Most Gooseneck trailers have 25% of the trailer weight on the Pin or Ball. So a trailer weighing 8100 * 25% =2025lbs which is double what the tundra has available.
So while the truck probably has enough power in the engine to pull a smaller Gooseneck trailer. It just doesn't have the load capacity to carry a Gooseneck trailers Pin weight.
Posted 2012-05-20 11:25 AM (#144089 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Expert
Posts: 2955
Location: North Carolina
Paintedhorse has offered good GN info.
You should also consider the nose width of the trailer and the bed of your Tundra. Short beds and wide noses aren't compatible with sharp turns.
Also consider the neck-over height of the trailer vs the bed height of your Tundra. Road dips and other uneven road heights can cause your truck bed rails and the bottom of the GN to contact.
Posted 2012-05-20 11:35 AM (#144090 - in reply to #144086) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Member
Posts: 11
Location: maryland
Thanks for your reply and I hope you don't mind if I pick your brain some. My Tundra is a double cab 4x4 with the long bed and tow package. The bumper pull trailer weighs 3675 and the gooseneck weighs 3700. How would that compare to the previous numbers you quoted? I know I can pull the bumper pull because I pull one now w/ no problem. Thanks for your input. I tried contacting Toyota and they were no help.
Posted 2012-05-20 11:42 AM (#144091 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
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Posts: 11
Location: maryland
just did the math with the new numbers and my truck would be at max w/ small gooseneck which I would never do so BP w/ dressing room it is! Thanks for your help!
Posted 2012-05-20 11:58 AM (#144092 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
BP keep more of the trailer weight on the trailer tires. They transfer less to the hitch. In your case probably 600-800 lbs. So they don't affect the load capacity of the truck as much as a GN. But a BN is more stable since it does transfer weight to the truck and even more important, That weight is up over the axle, not hanging on the bumper.
Even if the GN trailer you are considering is 3700 lbs, add in a spare tire, some basic tools, your saddles and tack, maybe a bag of feed, and you are easily 4500lbs. Load two horses and now you are 6500 lbs. Thats still putting 1600 lbs on the bed, and that is more the Payload its rated for.
So I think you would be safer pulling a BP with that truck. But I would still weigh it and make sure what you weigh when you are all loaded and hooked up.
Posted 2012-05-20 10:30 PM (#144116 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Expert
Posts: 1871
Location: NY
own a 2011 tundra and pull a gooseneck stock trailer alumna with a draft horse and It pulls, great no problems with stopping or up hill climbs have used it to pull quite a few time I think a gooseneck it better for trailering no matter what you pull with
Posted 2012-05-20 10:45 PM (#144118 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Some BP trailers have their axles far to the rear of the trailer. If you add any kind of DR to the front, you will end up with a great deal of hitch weight on the bumper. This weight, being behind any direct suspension support, will greatly effect the truck's handling, load capacity and suspension.
Many times the only corrective options are to install suspension assists and WD accessories to the hitch assembly. By carefully shopping for trailers with the axles mounted forward under the stalls, you can reduce the tongue weight over similarly sized units.
Posted 2012-05-20 11:27 PM (#144121 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
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Posts: 373
Location: Texas
Often folks feel that their particular truck "pulls with no problems" as they have never pulled with any other trucks, so they have nothing to compare to. I am not saying this is the case here, just something to consider. I have had friends pull with their 1/2 ton trucks, and swore that they had no problems pulling, or stopping. it was not until they upgraded to a bigger truck that they could really feel the difference in stability and how much easier it was on the truck. Then they commented they would never go back.
I would prefer to be on the bottom to middle of the range the truck is rated for, than to always be towing the max the truck is rated for towing
Posted 2012-05-22 8:10 AM (#144145 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I just put a B&W hitch in my 2010 crew max short-bed Tundra. My new (used) Elite weighs about 4000 lbs. My Tundra pulled it easier than it did my bumper pull which was nose-heavy. The weight is centered over the rear axle as opposed to being put on the rear bumper area. I, too, struggled with the "can I, should I" question while simultaneously looking for a gooseneck and trying to decide wether I should upgrade my truck... I could not financially do both.. No, It will not pull as well as a 3/4 ton, they are made for a reason, BUT a Tundra is a heavy half-ton with heavier suspension, heavier brakes, better transmission cooling system, etc.. IT CAN DO THE JOB! As long as you don't pull too big of a trailer, you will be OK.. My gas mileage was less pulling the Tundra home (through hills, no less), than with my bumper pull.
Posted 2012-05-22 8:47 AM (#144146 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385
Location: high desert, CA.
I would prefer to be on the bottom to middle of the range the truck is rated for, than to always be towing the max the truck is rated for towingThat said, if you lived in California, or Utah, Colorado, perhaps Oregon, or Washington, where there are REAL hills and REAL MOUNTAINS, you would be in real danger of being overloaded. Just because the engine will pull this trailer, does NOT make it safe or prudent. I personally want to STOP as well as go.
Posted 2012-05-22 9:27 AM (#144147 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I guess I should have added to my previous post that not only does my Tundra pull my new-to-me trailer well, It stops it well too. Not once did I feel like my truck was not going to be able to stop.. and and I had to stop short once, because of some fool who changed lanes in front of me, then turned with no blinker. Not everyone can afford to run right out and buy a diesel truck. Do I want one someday? Sure, but for now, I have made do with what I have, been prudent with what trailer I bought, and my truck has proven to be more than up to the task..
Posted 2012-05-22 9:46 PM (#144163 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Expert
Posts: 1871
Location: NY
Before I owned a tundra I owned a F-250 and it did not pull at all well It was full loaded the tundra pulls a lot better the that ford did I also owned a F-150 that worked find with my friends bumper pull
Posted 2012-05-23 5:42 PM (#144182 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Member
Posts: 32
Location: TX
I'm pulling my Sundowner 2 horse, straightload gooseneck, with my 2011 F 150 with an EcoBoost Engine. Towing capacity is 11,300lbs, 365hp with 420ft/lbs of torque. Pulling just fine, no problems even in eastern OK and NW Ark mountains.
Posted 2012-06-04 2:36 PM (#144516 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Regular
Posts: 98
Location: MD
I'm new here but gonna throw in my 2 cents. I have a Tundra 5.7L double cab with tow package. Installing the tow package took the payload from 1600lbs to 1450lbs. I had a Roadmaster Action Suspension system installed to help support my truck bed in general - hauling dirt, trailers, etc. It's claim was increased payload 25-40%, control "dolphining" and sway. I didn't have any real problems before it was installed but definitely is quieter pulling with the RAS, particularly over wavy bridges. I also use weight distribution bars. If you're looking at 2H BP w/DR, the Tundra works fine. I had originally pulled it with an older Tundra 4.8L I think, same experience.
I've hauled that rig all over the Mid-Atlantic region to various organized weekend trail events (highways, bridges, tunnels, mountains).
Meanwhile, I've outgrown the BP (sick of tenting it) and moving to a new, all aluminum, empty wt 3800lb GN, about 950 tongue wt. I pull 2 horses (2100lbs) and I'm planning to be diligent about keeping things under 7000lbs loaded. I've done a lot of research, measuring and feel confident about getting a 2H slant GN. A GN and Tundra can be done, you just have to do a lot of fact finding and stick to a 2H rig.
Posted 2012-06-04 9:50 PM (#144532 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Member
Posts: 11
Location: maryland
Thanks for your 2cents! I am visiting the EBY Headquarters tomorrow. I think I am going to end up w/ the 2h GN w/ dressing room. The EBY rep said that my Tundra would have no problem w/ it. Woo Hoo! Betsy
Posted 2012-06-05 6:16 AM (#144541 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Regular
Posts: 98
Location: MD
Good luck today Betsy!
Although one can find many knowledgeable dealers, I would ask for a spec sheet and confirm the empty weight. They don't put it on trailer labels because the minute you add any options, it becomes inaccurate. I've found most 2H GN's are around 7500lbs GWVR. As for the gooseneck, almost every manufacturer makes the new ones tapered enough to avoid any back window and turning troubles. I think you'll find about 42" of turning clearance (trailer stem to back window). It's scary close but works!
I found for my application that 3800lbs was my limit because of options, horse, hay, water, tack and personal gear loads. Depending on your horse size(s) you should probably keep empty weight under 4000lbs when pulling with your Tundra.
Posted 2012-06-06 5:16 PM (#144618 - in reply to #144077) Subject: RE: Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck with Tundra
Member
Posts: 11
Location: maryland
Thanks for that! I ordered an EBY 2H GN that will come off the line Aug. 10th! The EBY sales rep was fantastic in running the weight numbers with me. For where and what I will be hauling it should be no problem. I can't wait! Betsy