Gooseneck vs. Bumper Pull
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New User
Joined: Nov 2004
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Gooseneck vs. Bumper Pull
I have a '98 F-150 Flareside, SuperCab, Shortbox, 5.4L V-8. I'm wanting to pull a horse trailer with two horses with it. What I can't figure out is which type of trailer. I had settled on a three horse gooseneck aluminum trailer over a two horse bumper pull. because of the weight distribution. I'm getting all kinds of advise that I'm making the wrong choice. Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of each?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 855
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From: Ocean Park WA
Gooseneck will be more stable but check the GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight found on the drivers door safety sticker) and GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight from the owners manual using the engine, transmission, and axle code off the safety sticker) to ensure you don't go over the weights. If you go with the other spend the money and buy a good weight distribution system. The horses will be happier and you will be too.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 46
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From: Parkdale, OR
If your truck is capable, definitely go with a gooseneck. That's all I tow anymore because there's hardly any trailer sway at all. Even in windy conditions. If you do decide to go gooseneck you'd have to be especially careful because of your Shortbox.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
Welcome to FTE and thanks for joining us in the To<!>wing forum! 
We need more information:
Tra<!>nsmission
Axle ratio
GVWR (look on the driver side doorsill)
You should be able to easily tow a two horse bumper pull. Most likely, the gooseneck is too heavy for your truck and will not be pleasant to drive. To make an informed decision, you need to know your truck's GVWR, how much it weighs, how much the gooseneck weighs and what the hi<!>tch weight will be when loaded with horses, hay and tack. Seeing as how your truck is a shortbox flareside, I'm guessing it's more of a grocery getter and not very well equipped for to<!>wing a such a heavy trailer. So I would recommend a two horse side-by-side.
We need more information:
Tra<!>nsmission
Axle ratio
GVWR (look on the driver side doorsill)
You should be able to easily tow a two horse bumper pull. Most likely, the gooseneck is too heavy for your truck and will not be pleasant to drive. To make an informed decision, you need to know your truck's GVWR, how much it weighs, how much the gooseneck weighs and what the hi<!>tch weight will be when loaded with horses, hay and tack. Seeing as how your truck is a shortbox flareside, I'm guessing it's more of a grocery getter and not very well equipped for to<!>wing a such a heavy trailer. So I would recommend a two horse side-by-side.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 202
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when i got started in the rodeo a couple of years ago i started with a v6 half ton chevy and a stock trailer, then i moved up to a 3 horse steel with a front tack and goose neck the grosses about 10000, i pulled it with a 1/2 ton chevy and 3.55's, i still have both the truck and the trailer and there were no ill effects on the truck, it has the 5.3 v8. i personally perfer the goose neck because of the wieght and the turning radius(both good and bad). the best thing to do is to figure out how many horses you will be towing ang then go up one for the trailer.i tow 3 so i have a 4 horse now with a ford1 ton. you shouldnt see any ill effects with you 1/2 ton, just make sure that you check you tire pressures regularly and when it is time for new tires that you go to a ten ply instead of the normal 6 that your truck has on it now.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Southern Md
Howdy
I have a 03 F250 SD CC SWB 5.4 4x4. I pull both style trailers. My bumper pull is a steel 4 horse 16ft. My other is a 2 horse steel GN 20ft. I much prefer the GN over the BP. With the BP you get alot of sway and roll. The GN seems to stay more ridgid and gives a smoother ride. As far as being able to manuver. That depends on your situation. But I find that the GN is a better trailer over all. Once you get use to them you don't want to pull a BP. Happy Trails!!
I have a 03 F250 SD CC SWB 5.4 4x4. I pull both style trailers. My bumper pull is a steel 4 horse 16ft. My other is a 2 horse steel GN 20ft. I much prefer the GN over the BP. With the BP you get alot of sway and roll. The GN seems to stay more ridgid and gives a smoother ride. As far as being able to manuver. That depends on your situation. But I find that the GN is a better trailer over all. Once you get use to them you don't want to pull a BP. Happy Trails!!
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Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
I have the '97 version of your truck and used to pull 10,000 all over the place (gooseneck). Just make sure you take your time, get helper springs, and ten ply tires. The only reason I quit pulling with that truck is when I had to go to a bigger trailer when the horses got bigger. Now pull with a 350 PSD.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
Towing live weight is supposed to limit you to 85% of the rated capacity of the truck. I have found only one three horse goose trailer that fits in the range that my 150 can handle (rated at 7700lbs). Its a 3500# trailer empty. As far as your truck is concerned, I would stick to the tag-along unless you plan to upgrade to a SuperDuty soon. Its really not safe for the animals to be overloading your truck that much. I haul horses for a living and its scary watching people do that. I've loaded my truck up heavy, and it just can't handle that extra weight that a goose adds. Someday I'll have that nice SuperDuty, until then I'll stick with the bumper pulls (with a reciever, of course... 
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 202
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i have two barrel horses that i still load on occasion in a half ton and a goose neck, the cheapest horse is 20000. i have never had even the slightest problem with that set up. if i hadn't gotten such a deal on a 350 and a 3 horse i would still be towing that way. grafekie, please dont take this the wrong way, but it is a little odd that a profesional horse tower has such a small rig. my folks are inthe highschool rodeo thing and even the smallest weekenders and playday people have bigger rigs. but that is just an observation.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
I'm not a huge hauler, just 'round town. My rig does fine for what I do. People around here would laugh me out of buisness if I showed up with a goose and a half ton. They still give me crap when I show up with a half ton. I personally would not recommend using a half ton to haul a goose, unless its a light construction. I've done it and in my opinion its not safe. Aren't we here to offer opinions? Or is yours the only valid one?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 202
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my we took that personaly. mine is not the only valid one. i mearly do not believe it to be unsave to tow a goose neck with a half ton. i have don it too long with no ill effects. once i put 10 ply tires on it i didnt even get a little tire squat with a load. i found it better due to the goose neck loading the whole frame instead of pitching the nose up like a bumper pull will.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: West Coast
personally i would go gn... forget what your truck is rated for it will be safer, with less hassel than towing a bumper pull. i have done both and i would pick pulling a 10k gn with a half ton over pulling a 10 k bp with a 1 ton dually. esp with live weight... i have never got sway from a gn setup but i sure have go a lot with various bps.... the one downside of a gn trailer is the the cost, but once you overcome that small barrier it is all up from there...
the truth is a 2 horse is not real critical, unless if you have big horses ie clydes, but i perfer a gn just me
jmho
nick
the truth is a 2 horse is not real critical, unless if you have big horses ie clydes, but i perfer a gn just me
jmho
nick
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
now people ...aluminum trailer...i had a post on another site asking something, and i recieved answers like this.
go get the gooseneck, the hell with what they say you can and cannot tow.
get air bags if it sags too much, but get the goose neck, you will not regret it
go get the gooseneck, the hell with what they say you can and cannot tow.
get air bags if it sags too much, but get the goose neck, you will not regret it
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
Recommending towing a 10K gooseneck trailer with a vehicle that's not rated to tow anywhere close to 10K to begin with is irresponsible. On top of that, the trailer would put at least 1 ton on the rear end of the F150. WAY too much to handle comfortably and safely (regardless of driver's experience and skills).