Posted 2013-10-14 10:23 AM (#155344) Subject: gooseneck or bumper pull which is safer to tow?
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Posts: 5
Location: r
I have a ford F250 diesel 4x4 short bed. Want to purchase 2+1 trailer to go cross country. The gooseneck trailer transfers a lot if weight onto the truck as compared to the bumper pull tongue weight transfer. The bumper pull will be a lighter trailer with direct tow as compared to the gooseneck weight down on the axles. Assuming that a bumper pull can jack knife easier, would the bumper pull save on fuel, or is the gooseneck trailer just a lot safer to pull?
Posted 2013-10-14 11:42 PM (#155356 - in reply to #155344) Subject: RE: gooseneck or bumper pull which is safer to tow?
Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont
Originally written by magoo on 2013-10-14 10:23 AM
I have a ford F250 diesel 4x4 short bed. Want to purchase 2+1 trailer to go cross country. The gooseneck trailer transfers a lot if weight onto the truck as compared to the bumper pull tongue weight transfer. The bumper pull will be a lighter trailer with direct tow as compared to the gooseneck weight down on the axles. Assuming that a bumper pull can jack knife easier, would the bumper pull save on fuel, or is the gooseneck trailer just a lot safer to pull?
A 2 + 1 with a dressing room...you should be thinking GN...with a short bed you should be looking at http://mrtruck.com/popup.htm
Posted 2013-10-15 6:30 AM (#155360 - in reply to #155344) Subject: RE: gooseneck or bumper pull which is safer to tow?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
Location: TN
I personally wouldn't even think of doing a 2+1 in anything but a gooseneck, but that is just me. I've owned 1 bumper pull in the last 20 years and 5 goosenecks if that tells you anything! And you couldn't pay me to buy another bumper pull!
Posted 2013-10-15 8:49 AM (#155361 - in reply to #155344) Subject: RE: gooseneck or bumper pull which is safer to tow?
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
I've pulled both, with trucks and a SUV. I've narrowly avoided accidents with each type. Personally I don't consider one type more SAFE than another, but the GN hands down, offers a very stable towing experience and a large interior storage.
The trailers will differ in their axle placements, and this will be one of the determinations of how much weight is placed on the tow vehicle. For the same box length, the GN will weigh more. It will also have a larger storage area, and can be very versatile with interior fittings. As far as a towing mileage difference, I have noticed little difference if the fronts are similarly shaped. However if the trailers differ widely in weights, and your towing is in mountainous areas, the heavier trailer would be a detriment. If you frequently travel open level roads, the aerodynamics of each would more contribute to or lessen the mileage.
I find advantages to each type, and even though we presently own only GNs, I would not be adverse to owning another BP. The biggest advantage of our GNs is the interior space advantage, and my being able to more easily hitch up the GNs by myself. Our BP trailers towed very well, and were equally safe in their operation.
You will notice a much more stable towing, when encountering strong cross winds or the oncoming bow wave of tractor trailers with the GNs. The GNs will have a longer wheel base for the same box length. This contributes to their stability. Their weight on the truck is over its suspension instead of behind the truck, which is more difficult to support and unevenly weights the suspension.
Your truck can tow each type of trailer. It will boil down to which construction will provide the better interior space and layout that you need.
Posted 2013-10-15 2:08 PM (#155367 - in reply to #155361) Subject: RE: gooseneck or bumper pull which is safer to tow?
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Posts: 5
Location: r
Thanks so much. I have an old Sooner Alum. Bumperpull that iI love. Since I'm going to be between Fl and WY a lot, thinking gooseneck is the choice. I have a full LQ gooseneck 4 Star thatseems so heavy and pulls my gas mileage down horrible. I was very curious if the bumper pull which would weigh less could be justified. But, smart money lends to the gooseneck from the feedback.
Posted 2013-10-15 5:36 PM (#155370 - in reply to #155344) Subject: RE: gooseneck or bumper pull which is safer to tow?
Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Watertown, TN
The one thing gard didn't mention that I have found to be a HUGE advantage in some places we have found ourselves; the gooseneck is much easier to turn around since you can jack-knife it. With your short bed you would have to be really careful but I guess you know all this already.
Posted 2013-10-16 7:46 AM (#155381 - in reply to #155375) Subject: RE: gooseneck or bumper pull which is safer to tow?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662
Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I have a short bed and a 28ft trailer. I bought the hitch extender and let me tell ya. It makes a big difference. No issues and you don't have to worry about hitting the cab of the truck. I also would prefer a GN over a BP any day. Even though my old stock trailer tows like a charm.
Posted 2013-10-16 8:47 PM (#155392 - in reply to #155344) Subject: RE: gooseneck or bumper pull which is safer to tow?
Veteran
Posts: 151
Location: Manitoba, Canada
I'm on my second short bed truck, no hitch extender for the GN, never had a problem. My trailer is 7 ft wide and 26 ft on the floor. I'm thinking the problems would start if I went to an 8 foot wide trailer.
Posted 2013-10-16 10:07 PM (#155393 - in reply to #155344) Subject: RE: gooseneck or bumper pull which is safer to tow?
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
The shape of the trailer's nose, will have a large impact on clearances when you're turning the rig with a short bed truck. A "V" or tapered nose will give you less of a chance of interference, than a wide square nosed trailer.