PDA

View Full Version : Gooseneck or Bumper-pull?

PnkPanthr
May. 20, 2009, 01:22 PM
So within the next year, I will finally have enough in savings to buy myself a trailer. I know I want to get a 2 horse trailer...but I wanna know what you guys prefer...

Gooseneck or bumper pull..and dont forget why!:cool:
IslandGirl
May. 20, 2009, 01:34 PM
What will you be pulling it with?

I have a two horse bumper pull and a 4/5 horse gooseneck. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. I like how easy it is to hitch up the bumper pull compared to the gooseneck (I have a "hidden hitch" in my truck, and it's a tad more difficult to get to than a "standard" gooseneck hitch), but the gooseneck pulls better.

At times, I've thought about getting a 2-horse gooseneck. But every time I think about having to crawl into the bed of the truck to hook it up (where I usually end up clocking myself in the head, too) I'm thankful for how easy my bumper pull is to hitch. I've spoken to many people who most definitely prefer a gooseneck though.
mjrtango93
May. 20, 2009, 01:36 PM
I vote gooseneck, they are more stable, I find them easier to back up, and you get more storage. I don't notice little movements of the horses as much. Just make sure you turn wider as the gooseneck cuts corner where the bumper pull will follow the truck.
shakeytails
May. 20, 2009, 01:41 PM
Gooseneck, hands down. Easier to hook, pulls easier, backs up 10x easier, and I love that I can jackknife that sucker around in tight places or when I take a wrong turn down a one-lane road.
ChocoMare
May. 20, 2009, 01:42 PM
Gooseneck, hands down. Easier to hook, pulls easier, backs up 10x easier, and I love that I can jackknife that sucker around in tight places or when I take a wrong turn down a one-lane road.

Ditto! :yes:
jenm
May. 20, 2009, 01:46 PM
Gooseneck. No contest. I just bought my first trailer last year and am so happy with it. After doing much research, I learned that it's easier to pull a GN than a BP because it's more stable. I also learned that BP can sometimes sway and that didn't sound good to me.

Additionally, I wanted the option of having a place to sleep if I went to a show and could not find reasonable accommodations.

I have a popup hitch in my bed as well as a battery operated motor that makes it easy to engage and disengage the trailer. This takes away the complaint most people have about GN's being difficult or a hassle to connect.
DMK
May. 20, 2009, 01:53 PM
hey, if you can afford the vehicle and the difference in trailer cost, GN all the way. If you have to make compromises, a BP will do the job just fine. But if you have to haul for distances or on highways for any length of time 3-12 hour stretches, a GN is just a lot less tiring on the driver.
strawberry roan
May. 20, 2009, 01:56 PM
GN. Stability. :):)
Holly Jeanne
May. 20, 2009, 03:13 PM
I just replaced my old BP with a two horse gooseneck (with side ramp) this past fall. I love it. I do not find it easier to hitch up but I feel much more stable with it. One week after I got it, I dropped a horse off 4 hours away for training. On the way home, winds from hurricane Ike hit. Although still scary, I was very grateful to have the gooseneck. That said, if you are only hauling short distances on two lane roads it probably doesn't matter.
Tom King
May. 20, 2009, 07:23 PM
gooseneck.
PnkPanthr
May. 20, 2009, 09:13 PM
What will you be pulling it with?

My new Ford pickup. its a heavy duty truck. It doesn't have the gooseneck hitch yet, but I can easily get that put in. It seems like the vote is swaying towards the gooseneck.

Ok. So does anyone have any recommended models? I heard Trail-Ets are really nice..any preferences?
dghunter
May. 20, 2009, 09:53 PM
My new Ford pickup. its a heavy duty truck. It doesn't have the gooseneck hitch yet, but I can easily get that put in. It seems like the vote is swaying towards the gooseneck.

Ok. So does anyone have any recommended models? I heard Trail-Ets are really nice..any preferences?

Definitely the gooseneck. We have one of the newer Ford pickups also and it is wonderful. We have the two horse sidekick. Mom got it custom built because she added an extra foot in height and length (we have a very tall thoroughbred who needs to be turned around so he can come out facing forward). Would definitely buy another one in a heartbeat :yes:

My aunt has a featherlite and as far as I know she really likes it. It's a 3 horse gooseneck (she's actually the one who convinced us to get a gooseneck instead of a bumper pull lol).
eventersmom
May. 20, 2009, 10:59 PM
Ok. So does anyone have any recommended models? I heard Trail-Ets are really nice..any preferences?

We just bought a 2 horse gooseneck, straight load Trail-Et. We LOVE it. I did a great deal of research before buying. I wanted something oversized for our very large mare, it needed to be well built with good resale value and easy to haul. The Trail-Et is all that and more.

A close second were the Hawks but they were a bit out of my price range and impossible to find used in our area. You might check out Horse Trailer World. They have a discussion forum that was extremely helpful when we were in research mode.

Good luck!
bludejavu
May. 20, 2009, 11:24 PM
I went from a two horse straight load Trail-Et BP to the same trailer in a gooseneck - LOVE LOVE LOVE my gooseneck. I have a bolt in the center of my tailgate and I line it up with the gooseneck and back straight under it - couldn't be easier. There were times I got really frustrated with backing up to my BP if I had to back at a sharp angle for any reason. Plus the gooseneck cuts quicker, backs so much better and isn't at all squirrely to back. I don't know if I will ever want a BP again.
subk
May. 20, 2009, 11:35 PM
Gooseneck no question.

Ok. So does anyone have any recommended models? I heard Trail-Ets are really nice..any preferences?
First decide which features you want. Aluminum or Steel frame, aluminum or steel skin, aluminum or wood floors, ramp or step up, metal or fiberglass roof, etc, etc. There are pros and cons of each and different folks can sleep at night with different features. Then figure out which brands has the set up you want.

For me I wanted steel frame, aluminum skin, wood floor, ramp, fiberglass roof, 270° top back doors, etc, etc. I have a Trail-et 2 horse GN and I love it!
ChocoMare
May. 21, 2009, 06:19 AM
Ok. So does anyone have any recommended models? I heard Trail-Ets are really nice..any preferences?

I'm quite partial to the EquiSpirit (if you're wanting a fully enclosed trailer) or their new offering, the EquiBreeze, which is a stock combo. I bought their first GN model last month.

ChocoMare's EquiBreeze 2-Horse Straight Load GN (http://good-times.webshots.com/album/569863361yFLROR)

It's a steel frame with aluminum skin. XW/XT. It's all the quality of the EquiSpirit but 1/2 the price. They're built in Southern Pines, NC.
Holly Jeanne
May. 21, 2009, 08:52 AM
Hawk: http://www.happytrailstrailers.com/

This is what I have: http://www.happytrailstrailers.com/product.php?pid=117
Boomer
May. 21, 2009, 08:59 AM
I've had both. Currently have a gooseneck.

The bumper pull was nice as it was small (2H) and easy to get in and out of places. Didn't have to worry about whether they could accomodate a "bigger" trailer.

My gooseneck feels far more stable towing and loading horses. Going down the highway with a BP there is "vacuum" when a semi-trailer goes by and subsequent sway. The gooseneck doesn't do that. It's more stable on a breezy day.

I have a used Hawk 3H slant with a weekender. I love Hawk - great quality and options! Risa at Happy Trails in SC is great!
justdandy
May. 21, 2009, 09:00 AM
Gooseneck, hands down. Easier to hook, pulls easier, backs up 10x easier, and I love that I can jackknife that sucker around in tight places or when I take a wrong turn down a one-lane road.

Ditto! :yes:

Ditto the ditto!! I got a gooseneck last summer after having a BP for a few years. I will never go back to a BP! Love, love, love the gooseneck!