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 Mouhahaha
Posts: 1786
   
Location: British Columbia | I just sold my steel bumper pull and am now in the market for a new trailer. I am wanting a gooseneck, mainly to throw a mattress in it on rare occasions where I have to stop and sleep on an overnight haul or when I can't get a hotel.
I downgraded to a half ton last year, with a max towing capacity of 10,500lbs. I have my eye on an aluminum gooseneck, brand new, that weighs 3750. It's only a 2 horse, but I can get it in a 3 horse without surpassing 4500lbs.
My old steel trailer was 3500lbs, and pulled fine.
OR
I can get a 2500lbs 2 horse or 2850lbS 3 horse.
Can my truck realistically pull a 2 or 3 horse gooseneck with a mattress and tack and 2 to 3 horses in it? There would more often than not only be 1 horses at a time hauled.
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Expert
Posts: 1599
| following! And does it make a difference if you have 4WD or not? I have heard that suspension is stronger?
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | Are you referring to the gvwr or the actual curb weight of the trailer? If those numbers are gvwr, you'll be fine with any of the ones you mentioned. Personally, with a half ton, I'd stay with the two horse.
What kind of half ton truck do you have that has a 10,500 lb rating? I thought that was more a 3/4 ton weight rating.
Just personal observation, but half tons are built more for comfort. The suspension is built for a smoother ride. If you get anywhere close to maxing out the weight, you will likely need to add air shocks or your rear end will be squatting pretty bad. |
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Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | lopnaround - 2017-06-06 4:22 PM
following! And does it make a difference if you have 4WD or not? I have heard that suspension is stronger?
I haven't heard that the suspension is any stronger on 4wd. But, depending on where you live, you might need it. I use mine pretty often, but we have a lot of mud in south Louisiana. Muddy parking lots, too.
To me, it's just a personal decision. There are more moving parts, more can go wrong and if you don't put it in 4wd very often, it can cause more problems. Those parts need to move around every now and then or they'll fail when you finally do use it. If you're in an area where you won't use it, you can save a lot of money by buying 2wd. Around here, I won't have a 2wd if I can help it. Resale is better on 4wd here, too. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| How long are the goosenecks and how long is your truck? The wheelbase will make a difference in stability going down the road.
I would stick with the 2 horse if you end up going that way. I saw a half ton with a small 2 horse gooseneck, probably didn't have a 2' shortwall up front. Looked very well matched to the truck.
That being said when I had my 1/2ton and 2 horse bumper pull I couldn't keep speed going up hill on the highway and I was well within weight. Bumpers are a little harder on the truck, but I personally won't tow live animals any longer with anything smaller than a 3/4ton. Personal preference, I like to be over trucked. |
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Mouhahaha
Posts: 1786
Location: British Columbia | Nita - 2017-06-06 8:37 PM
Are you referring to the gvwr or the actual curb weight of the trailer? If those numbers are gvwr, you'll be fine with any of the ones you mentioned. Personally, with a half ton, I'd stay with the two horse.
What kind of half ton truck do you have that has a 10,500 lb rating? I thought that was more a 3/4 ton weight rating.
Just personal observation, but half tons are built more for comfort. The suspension is built for a smoother ride. If you get anywhere close to maxing out the weight, you will likely need to add air shocks or your rear end will be squatting pretty bad.
Most half tons on the market today are capable of towing 10,500lbs.
It is a new Ram 1500, with a tow package and I had air bags installed for towing when I bought it. |
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Mouhahaha
Posts: 1786
Location: British Columbia | OhMax - 2017-06-07 4:50 AM
How long are the goosenecks and how long is your truck? The wheelbase will make a difference in stability going down the road.
I would stick with the 2 horse if you end up going that way. I saw a half ton with a small 2 horse gooseneck, probably didn't have a 2' shortwall up front. Looked very well matched to the truck.
That being said when I had my 1/2ton and 2 horse bumper pull I couldn't keep speed going up hill on the highway and I was well within weight. Bumpers are a little harder on the truck, but I personally won't tow live animals any longer with anything smaller than a 3/4ton. Personal preference, I like to be over trucked.
I'm not sure what my wheel base is. I'd have to look
I have heard that a gooseneck is much easier on a truck that a BP though! |
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| If you are in a hilly or mountainous area, it may be a challenge to your half ton. Especially depending on how you drive. You are asking a boy to do a man's job. They might get it done once or twice but regularly WILL take a toll, especially depending on how you drive. Around here I'd say you would be OK as long as you were careful of the hills we do have.....you might only go up at 55 instead of 70....
Not sure what the terrain is like where you are at in BC or where you intend on hauling.
The difference between a GN and a bumper pull is where to weight of the trailer is centered. A GN puts it right over the drive axle rather than the rear of the truck and the weight is also distributed to the wheels of the trailer a little more. I haven't pulled a BP in ages, and borrowed a small flatbed to pick up a new bow/bed for my one ton (a flat tire wiped out the original). Just with THAT amount of weight the trailer and cargo tried to "own" my truck. Give me a GN any day! Not sure about the capabilities of the suspension in a half ton anymore...I won't have ANYTHING but a one ton these days.....they are about what the OLD half tone USED to be back in the old days..... They sure don't build things like they used to.....sigh (getting old is not for the weak hearted...  ) |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | You will be much happier with a Goosenck and a 3/4 ton truck, you will love the ride and so will your horses. And its safer all the way around. 
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2017-06-07 1:02 PM
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Member
Posts: 31
| I work at a dealership and always get the questions what can a certain vehicle tow. Of course depending on the vehicle and what the person is trying to accomplish my general answer is this vehicle will be able to pull it fine but can it get what you are pulling stopped is the real question. I have a 3/4 ton diesel and a three horse aluminum stock trailer. Noticed lately my trailer breaks have went out on the trailer and if I'm not paying attention I have to work hard to get shut down without throwing them down. Three horses in traffic I would get nervous with half ton. |
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