dfinke23

Thinking about picking up a tow rig and have a some Q's.
The trailer would be 35-40 ft., and am considering a gooseneck vs bumper pull with something like a diesel Ford Excursion.
I've never pulled a gooseneck and would like to know opinions.

VatorMan

That length- Definitely a gooseneck or 5th wheel. Don't try it with anything less than a 1 ton long bed truck.

Screamin Z

That long id opt for the gooseneck. Too much weight on the rear for my taste. I know a load distributing hitch can help but thats a ton of weight back there. The gooseneck is usually a 1/2 or an inch forward of the rear axle. Plus the wind wouldnt fight you as much with a gooseneck.

We have a 26ft bumper hitch trailer.. any longer id get a gooseneck

Short-Throw

Gooseneck--Final Answer!

With a gooseneck you can drive with your pinky while you down Doritos and Mountain Dew.

ErnieN85

John Shiels

you need a dooley

racerbob4

A 32 tag trailer is the common acceptance length for a standard hitch. Anything longer should be a gooseneck and the truck should be a dualy. Pulling a 32 with a standard hitch, you also should get a load levelor and an anti sway unit.

I would suggest a turbo diesel Ford crew cab for anything in the neighborhood of 40'.

dfinke23

Anything to look out for with the Ford diesel engine? I've heard the 6.0 is not as reliable as the one it replaced. Any years to stay away from?

BuckeyeZ06

Get a gooseneck, you'll never regret it.

You need a pick up with one, and a dualie is really a good way to go, although a 3/4 single axle may do the job if you keep the trailer length around 32 feet. At 40 feet you better have a dualie.

BTW, I have a 2007 GMC diesel dualie for sale...

bb69

I've been pulling a 40' Haulmark for several years with my Dodge 2500 diesel single rear wheel. I installed air bags in the rear and it pulls like a dream. If I were going to do it again, I would buy a dual rear wheel. However, the single does just fine. The trailer is stable in all conditions. The longest trip I have taken is 12 hours, and I have been in hills, rush hour traffic, rain, wind, etc. The only reason I would get the dually is so I didn't have to deal with the air bags.,

One big issue with a gooseneck vs a 5th wheel is the risk of the trailer hitting the truck bed. The gooseneck hitch doesn't limit the movement of the trailer in relation to the truck. The upside is that that reduces the load going into the hitch and the truck and trailer frames. I got my trailer into a bit if a tight spot and ended up denting the truck bed pretty badly. You have to keep an eye on it when turning into driveways.

Ken

SDF

Daniel,
Does this mean your race car is finished? I just got a Silverado 2500 HD with the Duramax and I sure do like it! You set on a Ford?

Scott

Screamin Z

Stay away from the 6.0L Fords.. I have the 6.4L.. Hauls ***!

dvandentop

werd gooseneck owns for towing no swaying or anything of the likes.


can drive with 1 hand on the steering wheel if wanted.

better get a decent diesel with looking at something that size.
my 02 duramax handles it good loaded up with my car, tons of tools and about 4 sets of extra rims.

the biggest gripe i have is pulling in some lots with my 40ft enclosed. but after the 1st season of towing with it i have learned what to do and what not to do

the new 2011 gmc or chevy 2500 should be able to do the task nice too. it is nice to have the extra 2 rear wheels if possible for stabilization but if room is a factor the 2500 are nice too