Anyone with a short bed pick up have a coupler with a set back allowing sharper turning? Trying to find out reliability and safety of these adapters. I have an 08 Exiss 3 horse with 12 foot living quarters trailer.
Posted 2014-10-21 8:04 AM (#161208 - in reply to #161207) Subject: RE: goose neck coupler extender
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500
Location: West TN
I have one on our 20' stock trailer. We have a flatbed with a fuel tank and air compressor on the back. I have the one with the 9" extension and it has made a big difference in our turning ability in tight places.
Posted 2014-10-21 9:47 AM (#161210 - in reply to #161207) Subject: RE: goose neck coupler extender
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Posts: 259
Location: Topeka Ks
I would say in general if used properly the extensions are safe and reliable. The extension will have a couple of ratings you will have to consider. GTW-gross trailer weight and TW-tongue weight.To answer this you will have to know the loaded weight of the trailer "GTW". You can estimate the weight on some items but round up you will always be heavier than you think. Things to consider: fresh water tank 40 gal, grey holding tank 30 gal, black holding tank 30 gal, clothes, food, tack, hay, feed and horses.These are estimates! Trailer empty- 8000 lbs, Tanks-850 lbs, Clothes & food 500 lbs, Hay 5 bales-325 lbs, Feed 2 bags 100lbs horses 3 6000 lbs Total 15,775 rounded up GTW 15,800lbs, Personally I calculate tongue weight using 25% of GTW in this case the TW is calculated at 3,943 rounded up 4,000 lbs. I've seen from 10% to 25% used. I'm conservative.Let's say the extender you're looking at has a GTW of 20,000 and TW of 5,000 your weights fall inside the range specified by the mfg and would reasonable expect it to be safe.I hope this helps.
Posted 2014-10-21 6:25 PM (#161217 - in reply to #161207) Subject: RE: goose neck coupler extender
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Posts: 218
Location: Ohio
Justgum, I agree with all your weights except the 3 horses at a total of 6k. Those would be drafts at that weight. Most trail horses are around 900-1100lbs. So 3k would be more accurate for horse weight. JMHO
Posted 2014-10-22 8:12 AM (#161227 - in reply to #161207) Subject: RE: goose neck coupler extender
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
I see an awful lot of them on folks trailers at the rides. And they come from companies that you know are large enough to have product liability insurance. So- if you need one, go get it.