When looking up cargo trailer options, you may have come across the bumper pull versus gooseneck trailer debate. Some people swear by the ease of use of a bumper pull, while others prefer the stability of a gooseneck. Another benefit often mentioned is the gooseneck’s ability to handle more weight, but is that really true?
What Is a Gooseneck Trailer?
Gooseneck trailers are towed using a hitch, mounted in the bed of your truck. To facilitate this design quirk, gooseneck trailers raise upward and stretch into the bed of the truck. When enclosed, this may create a second floor for changing or additional storage. Consequently, they are often taller than most bumper pulls. More often than not, to attach a gooseneck trailer to your truck, you use a gooseneck hitch.
Here are some common uses for this trailer:
- Hauling lumber
- Transporting heavy vehicles
- Transporting horses
Can Gooseneck Trailers Carry More Weight?
A testament to the higher weight limit of goosenecks is that they are far more likely to be classed as commercial trailers. This is because so many of them have gross vehicle weights above the commercial threshold.
Gooseneck trailers accommodate higher payloads because the trailer’s tongue weight is over the rear axle of your truck, instead of all forced down onto the back of the frame. This improves stability. Trailer manufacturers then use higher-capacity axles to take on more weight.
What Determines How Much You Can Carry?
Even though gooseneck trailers can haul more weight, it doesn’t mean you can automatically tow more weight. For instance, goosenecks have payload weights you need to observe. Here are some additional factors to consider.
Towing Capacity
Every truck comes with a towing capacity. You can usually find this information in the manual or in the driver’s side door of your vehicle. This will tell you how much you can safely tow with your vehicle. Note that if you have modified your vehicle, this may affect how much you can tow.
Even if you believe your vehicle should tow more, the insurance company may disagree and refuse to cover some incidents. A good rule of thumb is to tow at 80% or less of your towing capacity.
Truck Lifts
One common truck modification is installing lifts. This can help you clear obstacles during the winter or while travelling on dirt roads, but it can reduce the tow quality of your vehicle. Without additional modifications to counter sag, you could wear out the suspension in your truck.
If you’ve upgraded your tire sizes, you may have very little space left in the wheel well. This runs the risk of the metal rubbing on your tire.
Experience
Bumper trailers are more common among novice trailer owners while towing veterans tend to choose gooseneck trailers. One reason for this is the more weight you tow, especially on roads used by passenger vehicles, the more risk you pose to others and yourself.
It’s important to learn how your gooseneck trailer behaves differently at various weights. You can then decide how much you’re comfortable towing.
Age
If you tow with a high-mileage vehicle, you may want to reconsider how much weight you put in your trailer. Towing puts additional stress on the engine and the transmission. This can cause additional wear-and-tear on vehicles that are likely already nearing the end of their product cycles.
You can reduce these risks by keeping up with maintenance as best as possible. Regardless of the mileage on any vehicle, you will have more maintenance when you use it to tow more often.
Where Can Buyers Find Good Gooseneck Trailers?
Gooseneck trailers are not always as easy to come by as bumper pulls. At Millroad Manufacturing, we provide a wide range to choose from.
FAQs
Gooseneck trailers accommodate higher payloads because the trailer's tongue weight is over the rear axle of your truck, instead of all forced down onto the back of the frame. This improves stability. Trailer manufacturers then use higher-capacity axles to take on more weight.
Can I haul more weight with a gooseneck trailer? ›
Towing A Heavy Load? The biggest reason people choose gooseneck trailers over bumper pulls is because of their additional weight capacity.
What is the disadvantage of a gooseneck trailer? ›
The Disadvantages of a Gooseneck Trailer
Vehicle limitations: Gooseneck trailers can only be used with pickup trucks because you need the hitch mechanism locked across the bed. If your only available tow vehicle is an SUV, crossover or cargo van, you need a bumper pull trailer.
Can you overload a gooseneck trailer? ›
It's important to note that exceeding the weight limit of a gooseneck trailer can be dangerous and illegal. Overloading the trailer can cause it to become unstable and difficult to control, resulting in accidents or damage to your vehicle or cargo.
Does towing capacity increase with gooseneck? ›
Gooseneck hitches generally have a higher towing capacity compared to 5th wheel hitches, thanks to their mounting position closer to the truck's rear axle. This placement allows for better weight distribution and increased stability, enabling gooseneck hitches to handle heavier loads with ease.
How much weight can a F 350 pull with a gooseneck trailer? ›
When equipped with a regular cab, the Ford F-350 has an impressive payload capacity of up to 7,850 pounds! If you need even more towing power for your jobs around West Seneca, you can opt for the gooseneck hitch in the truck bed. This increases the Ford F-350 towing capacity to 37,000 pounds.
Is a gooseneck trailer worth it? ›
Maintains balance: A gooseneck trailer is best for transporting large and heavy cargo over long distances. Their stability and high weight capacity keep them balanced and prevent the trip from being bumpy.
What happens if you put too much weight on a trailer? ›
Overloaded trailers exert more pressure on the tires, causing them to wear unevenly and deteriorate prematurely. Furthermore, tires operating under excess weight are prone to overheating, leading to blowouts. A blown tire causes immediate safety hazards and can lead to additional damage to the trailer and axle.
How do I know if my trailer is overloaded? ›
An overloaded trailer can be dangerous. To find out how much your trailer can hold, you need to know your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), total trailer weight and gross axle weight rating (GAWR). The GVWR of your trailer should be on its VIN label.
How much does a 25 ft gooseneck trailer weigh? ›
Our Price: $12,555.00
| Condition: | new |
|---|
| Floor Length: | 25' or 300.00" |
| Width: | 8' 6" or 102.00" |
| Weight: | 6020 lbs |
| GVWR: | 25000 lbs |
6 more rowsWhich is better fifth wheel or gooseneck? A fifth wheel hitch is better for recreational towing, and a gooseneck hitch is better for farming and commercial towing. Fifth wheel hitches provide a smoother and more stable ride, while gooseneck hitches are preferred for their minimally invasive design.
Can you tow more with a gooseneck or bumper pull? ›
Goosenecks can be bigger, can hold heavier and larger cargo, can make tighter turns, and yield more stability when being pulled compared to bumper pull trailers. However, bumper pulls can carry a respectable payload, are cheaper, can be towed by any type of vehicle and are easier for beginners to tow.
Should a gooseneck trailer be level when towing? ›
A gooseneck trailer should sit level to prevent blowouts and broken axles.
How much weight can you put on a 40ft gooseneck trailer? ›
A 40 ft gooseneck trailer typically weighs around 9,630 lbs when it's empty. The weight capacity of a similar trailer can be up to 25,000 lbs for hauling heavy cargo. Factors that affect the weight include dimensions, materials used in construction, and added features.
Can you haul more weight with a spread axle trailer? ›
A spread axle trailer can carry 40,000 lbs on the spread axles allowing for more leeway in placing a heavier load. The spread of the two axles is 10'2″ counting them as two separate axles that can each carry 20k lbs. This gives you a legal limit of 86k lbs of all axles.
What is the maximum weight a hotshot can haul? ›
Freight Capacity Restrictions: Hotshot trailers usually max out at 40 feet in length, which means they are limited in the weight they can legally carry – 16,500 lbs. Shippers who have cargo that exceeds this weight need to understand that – no matter the size of the load – hotshots are no longer an option for delivery.
Why can gooseneck tow more than 5th wheel? ›
Compared to the fifth wheel hitch, the gooseneck is minimally invasive and a less expensive mechanism. Also, it is capable of hauling up to 30,000 lbs of weight capacity. The gooseneck hitch has the benefit of being able to connect to a variety of attachments.
