Gooseneck Question
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 100
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From: Silver City New Mexico
Gooseneck Question
Now that I have just bought my F350 PSD, I am looking at getting an enclosed trailer. I am looking at around 30 feet. I will be hauling a 1949 Studebaker truck and quads with it. I originally wanted a Toy Hauler, but those won't haul the Studebaker. I am looking at a gooseneck, for the reason that I hear they tow so much nicer. But why are they more exspensive than a conventional pull? And why can't I find any used? I won't be towing it too often, but when I do it could be long trips. Should I save the money and buy the gooseneck, or a used conventional with load distributing hitch and air bags in the rear end? Would I be money ahead of the deal? Thanks for the help. I know I can come here and get answers for just about anything.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Goosenecks typically are a permanent install, most require cutting of the bed floor, unless you put the plate over the top, then you still need to fortify under the bed. They also handle much more weight than a conventional hitch can, and put load weight on the steer axle, instead of removing it through leverage about the rear axle.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
From: AZ, SSA
You can get packages that fit between the frame rails under the bed a hair in front of the rear axle and, other than cutting a hole in the bed (and possibly mounting holes in the frame), require no surgery to the truck. Many of them have either a ball that rotates down below the level of the bed or have easily removable *****, both for when you aren't towing. Both setups have a lid of some sort that covers the hole in the bed when not in use.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 100
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From: Silver City New Mexico
I know how the gooseneck hitch set up works, my question is why does the trailer cost so much more? There doesn't seem to be anything real different other than the extra 4 or 5 feet over the bed and hitch. They look constructed just like a conventional hitch, yet the price difference is 5 grand or more for them.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
I misunderstood what you were asking, thought you were asking about the hitch itself, not the trailer. Used ones are out there, see them all the time. Liability may be one big reason for the higher cost, since people are so sue happy these days. The whole trailer is going to be built stronger than a bumper pull due to the higher capacity.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
From: AZ, SSA
I don't know why liability would be higher with a gooseneck than a conventional trailer. The gooseneck requires a lot more bracing and strength than the tongue of a conventional trailer. Supply and demand also may be a factor.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 342
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From: South central kansas
Typically goosenecks have a higher weight rating, which means more expensive axles. They also have a heavier frame, which means more expensive steel. They do tow a lot better than a bumper pull trailer. Especially at the length you are considering. No matter how much load equalizer you have you can still legally only pull 10k with a class V receiver hitch. You can pull up to 18k with a gooseneck. Maybe more, not sure. As far as cost I can see new ones costing up to 5k more for a gooseneck than bumper pull, but used ones could be priced fairly similar, I would check ebay and craigslist for used trailers, dealers don't typically get trade-ins on trailers.
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