Posted 2008-03-08 8:54 PM (#79042) Subject: Shortbeds and goosenecks?
New User
Posts: 4
We have a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 and I'm looking at a 3 horse slant gooseneck. The truck I believe has a 6' bed... will this work with a gooseneck trailer? anyone know?
Posted 2008-03-08 9:38 PM (#79045 - in reply to #79042) Subject: RE: Shortbeds and goosenecks?
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
The shortbed will work. Just watch the type of front end your trailer comes with. A taper or radius nose works better than a square front end.
If you have a problem it will be when making sharp turns.
I had a 2000 and a 2003 Ford shortbed (6.5' bed) and I never had any problems with my gooseneck trailers
Be sure and check the load capabilites for the 1/2 ton truck and make sure your trailer doesn't exceed either the towing limit or the bed cargo weight.
Posted 2008-03-08 9:54 PM (#79047 - in reply to #79042) Subject: RE: Shortbeds and goosenecks?
New User
Posts: 4
Thanks :) the weight is fine.. I was just worried about the bed length and there being room. This trailer I believe is rounded on front, so not square :)
Posted 2008-03-09 1:11 AM (#79065 - in reply to #79042) Subject: RE: Shortbeds and goosenecks?
New User
Posts: 3
Location: B.C
I pull a trails west GN with a '06 short box dodge. Can't remember even having a close call while turning. My hitch is installed 10" ahead of the rear axle as well so I have a constant concern about it . I can easily slide it back but never had to. The trails west does have a rounded nose though, works great for us.
Posted 2008-03-09 6:24 PM (#79119 - in reply to #79042) Subject: RE: Shortbeds and goosenecks?
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Overpeck, Ohio 45055
I have a 250 Ford shortbed truck pulling a 3 horse 4-star trailer and I need a extender for it. Hubby and I were discussing this extender that everyone claims will do the job -- SB # something.---- and he says tht it won't give clearance from the window if the extender turns. He thinks the hitch should turn on the extender and the extender should stay stable. Is this right?? Does the extender turn on the ball? I am terrifically confused since I need something to keep from hitting my cab window and knocking it out. Camping with my gooseneck is ok as long as I can just pull into a site and not have to turn. Getting it into my lane by the barn is a bear as well as trying to get it into the driveway. Please inform me as to what the extender does . Thanks for any input.
Posted 2008-03-09 6:52 PM (#79120 - in reply to #79042) Subject: RE: Shortbeds and goosenecks?
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
It depends on the type of hitch you have. If you have something like a B&W Turnover, The base fo the ball is a Square. It can not turn in the reciever. The only movement will be the gooseneck post rotating ontop of the ball.
The extender ball moves the actual ball connections 4" to the rear. Even though the reciever is still located above or slightly in front of the axle.
The SB1 or SB2 Are replacement couplers that move the trailer back several inches. They do swing on the ball, But suppossedly they have moved the trailer so it arc misses the truck.
Posted 2008-03-09 7:38 PM (#79124 - in reply to #79042) Subject: RE: Shortbeds and goosenecks?
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Belvidere, IL
I just had a B&W turnover GN hitch put in my 2007 Ford F-250 Superduty before I picked up my new 4-Star 3 horse GN trailer. I have about 1 foot of clearance when the trailer is attached to the truck at a 90 degree angle. I do not have a hitch extender. I don't think you need one, but talk to the trailer dealer.
Good luck. I've only pulled my new trailer home and practiced backing up, but it seems like it will be a whole lot easier to maneuver than my old 4-Star bumper pull.
Posted 2008-03-09 7:52 PM (#79131 - in reply to #79042) Subject: RE: Shortbeds and goosenecks?
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Waynesboro, Va
Just watch out for the back glass. I was trying to put our trailer that was hooked up to the short bed my husband had and was having to put the trailer in a very odd place to park it. next thing I knkow POW! no more back glass. oh well worked out in my favor husband went and bought me a LONG bed 4 door dulley that I pull with now. lol
Posted 2008-03-10 5:10 AM (#79148 - in reply to #79042) Subject: RE: Shortbeds and goosenecks?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I have a short bed and I purchased the SB1 extender hitch. I can jack knife the trailer with ease. Before I put it on the trailer I was worried about being able to get into tighter spots or even forgetting that the trailer is so close to the truck and turning to tight and catching the cab of the truck. Money well spent...JMO
Posted 2008-03-11 11:37 AM (#79291 - in reply to #79042) Subject: RE: Shortbeds and goosenecks?
Veteran
Posts: 151 Location: Manitoba, Canada
I have a 1 ton truck with a short bed box, 6 ft. I'm on my second gooseneck trailer, both were 26 feet on the floor, and both with a square nose. I've never had a problem, and I don't use an extender. I can get into some pretty tight spots.
My neighbor has a long box truck and the same length trailer, and she managed to jackknife it somehow and took out her back window, so I guess it can happen to anyone.
The one thing we did notice is that when we also carry a slip tank, the trailer hits on the pump when we turn, making a left turn nearly impossible. We are going to try and just remove the pump, and see if we can turn ok, if not, we will have to by a lower profile slip tank.
I wouldn't be worried about the short box, but I would double check the ability of a 1/2 ton to pull the trailer -- or more importantly, the ability to stop a fully loaded trailer. That's the hard part.
Shortbeds and goosenecks?
