gooseneck vs. bumper pull & camper

mkirsch · Aug 17, 2010

I have a 1-ton dually pickup with a lightweight (1500lb) slide-in camper in the back. Part of the reasoning behind this rig is so I can take a tractor to a tractor show, and camp on site.

Now I'm in the market for a deckover trailer, but I'm debating on gooseneck vs. bumper pull.

My truck still has 3000lbs of confirmed payload capacity with the camper, so I could easily pull the heaviest of bumper pull trailers.

Problem is, I'm fascinated by gooseneck trailers. Always wanted one.

One thing the camper might give me a "pass" with law enforcement... A big dually with a gooseneck screams "hotshotter" to the state troopers.

I can haul more with the gooseneck... 8 tons instead of 7.

Anybody do the slide-in camper and flatbed thing for tractor shows?

Gary in da UP · Aug 17, 2010

Get a big duelly gooseneck and put your camper on it with your tractor~~.30 footer oughta do it.~~

Dennis Benson · Aug 17, 2010

There's a lot of stuff moved with a rear pull trailer, and it doesn't draw as much attention as a gooseneck. A lot of jurisdictions have different lews for gooseneck trailers.

ScottyHOMeY · Aug 17, 2010

How much attention you'll attract from the constabulary will have to do with our configuration, so your choice may be guided in part with how you're papered.

For the weight you want to haul, I'm assuming a 20k-rated trailer (2x10k dually axles). In general, the diesel bear will assume that anything that will pull such a trailer with a load will weigh (empty - never mind rating) over 26k so a Csass A license and all that goes with it will be in order.

I've never been bothered but once with my rig -- 3500 Ram single rear, and 14k (2x7k single axles). Sum of their gross ratings is 23k. As long as it doesn't look overloaded or "look" commercial . . .

If you're willin' to do the Class A thing, go for it. I love a goosenck. My tagalong 18'carhauler tows and handles nice and does all it was made and is asked to do. But that gooseneck is a dream to pull, and there's a lot to be said for the extra capacity and placement of the hitch, just forward of the rear axle. You won't need any of the beefed-up suspension and exotic weight distribution geegaws that wou woold to haul a similar load on a tagalong.

showcrop · Aug 18, 2010

I have a friend who has mounted a slide in camper at the front of his gooseneck and puts two Cockshutts, I believe a 30 and a 40, on behind them.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 24, 2010

In simular situation. Due to space and weight limitations; the 20 ft bumper pull (83 inches between fenderwells) with tandem 7K axles (both with brakes) is my best choice. Have narrowed it to two trailers. Can't decid which is better. A beaver tail, foldup ramps with kicker brace or flat deck with jacks and removable ramps. Both comparably priced. May have to get weight distribution hitch.

gooseneck vs. bumper pull & camper

mkirsch

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Gary in da UP

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Dennis Benson

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ScottyHOMeY

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showcrop

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Anonymous-0

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