Husband and I have gotten along fine with 2 horses and BP slant trailer for years, now youngest child has gotten the horse bug and so we are three!  Horses seem to ride quietly in trailer so my question is what would be the best way to go for the occasionaly trip to the mountains pulling 3 horses and basic camping gear?  Our truck is under powered (I have learned that from this web site) so we are in the market for 3/4 ton, but wondered if we really needed a goose neck?

I certainly don't pull as much as most folks here, but in my limited experience, if you're getting a new truck and a new trailer, there is no way I would go bumper pull.  Just got back from a 150 mile pull, combined interstate and backroads, with a diesel 3/4 ton and a 3 H goose neck (2 1200 LB quarter horses and a weekends worth of gear), it pulled like a dream.  As they say, you can't tell the trailer is back there.  Pay the extra, you won't regret it. 

My $00.02.

Bud

What I have heard is a general rule of thumb.....

2 horse without living quarters - easier to maneuver a BP

larger than a 2 horse (unless it's a stock trailer) - much easier to pull and maneuver a gooseneck.

Buy the gooseneck. It rides better for all involved, two legged or four, they are more maneuverable, and you'll enjoy the storage/sleeping options provided by that nose.

Thanks for the info...we are thinking of getting a stock/combo type trailer, used, if we can find one.  The simple idea of just trading out our 2 horse for a 3 horse has mushroomed into a huge expense.  I'm sure that comes as no surprise to all who have horses.  On the flip side I am thrilled that we finally have one son that loves horses and is willing to go along with us old folks.  I just hope we can find something before he joins his older brother off at college!!

I wouldn't immidiately rule out the BP.  While its true that there are some maneuvering advantages to the GN I don't have real maneuvering issues with our 30' BP travel trailer either.  Just depend on what you're used to.  Certainly the BP is less expensive than the GN due to less steel, and for the occasional 3 horse outing, as opposed to someone who goes out many many weekends a year the 3 horse BP with 2 horses in it most of the time may be just the ticket.

I do enjoy pulling a gooseneck over a bumper pull. If you do move up to a GN you will have the dressing room area for all of your camping gear and then the rear tack for the horse stuff. Like they say bigger is better and you may even want to move up to a 4 horse gooseneck. If you are hauling 3 horses, that extra stall sure is nice for camp chairs or hay or rain gear, you name it. 3/4 ton should be fine for what you want to do. The other option is to move up to a 3 horse bumper pull trailer and look for a pick-up camper, even one of those pop-up ones(to save on weight).

The biggest thing that bothered me about pulling a 3 horse bumper pull was that all of that trailer was being pulled by a ball attached to the back of my truck. For some reason the gooseneck attached to the bed of my truck just seems a heck of alot safer.

Just food for thought.

First - if you are hauling 3 horses, yes you need a 3/4 ton.

Next question. How many years before the child goes off to college (and you begin paying tuition instead of trailer payments?)

If you get a 3H GN now, you could have most of the payments behind you before having to pay tuition... then, it will give you and your spouse a very comfortable camping rig even when you only haul 2 horses.  OR - without the horses, a "camper" for camping with both sons. : ) with room for bicycles and tent gear in the horse area.

A 4' shortwall GN might be a little cramped in the sleeping area but do-able (put a narrow bed along the horse stall wall and use underneath for camping gear storage). Be sure to get a rear tack area too.

Another idea is to get a 3H slant with LQ - if it has a bathroom in it, it can meet the IRS definition of a second home and therefore, the interest on the loan to pay for it should meet tax deduction standards (your "mileage" may vary - check with your tax advisor).

If you do decide on the 3H stock/combo - still upgrade to the 3/4 ton and add the weight distribution with sway bar.  Which will cost as much as adding a GN hitch to the truck - if the one you choose doesn't already have one.

So - with a 3H slant, with 4' shortwall, that will give you lots of space for tents, chairs, hay, water tanks, etc. Get one that isn't carpeted if you don't plan on sleeping in there. You can always put a sheet of plywood in the bed area and an air mattress (or piece of carpeting and air mattress).  

It will give you a lockable "cabinet" for all your gear - without having to pack it and unpack it from the truck in between trips.

When I'm riding from home, I simply tie my horse to my parked trailer and tack him up from there.

I would go with the gooseneck for all the points mentioned; hauls better and more space. In my gooseneck I bought those plastic drawers and filled them with the things I will need. I have paper towels, plates, utensils, TP, soap, seasonings, canned food, small propane tanks, lantern and so on. One is for horse stuff like my high line, easy boots and emergency kits for horses and people. I have 1 big crate that I pack when we leave of all the perishables like bread, fruits and stuff. If you do get those plastic drawers, turn them around when in transit or else the drawers will open and it will tip. Also put the heavy stuff in the bottom drawer. The GN offers you guys to sleep up top and your son can tent it or even sleep in the back on a lawn chair. Three things I could not live without on my GN: hay rack (which carries a water tank), pass thru door from horse compartment, and a rear tack (which also has another water tank). An escape door is also real nice to have.

Just my .02

I used to pull a BP, but now I feel spoiled with my GN, I will never go back.