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When you have livestock, materials or equipment to haul, finding the right trailer is key. One of the biggest debates in the trailer world is gooseneck versus bumper pull. These two trailer types can both hitch to a pickup truck and can be found just about anywhere, but is one better than the other? Before you decide on which trailer is best, you should understand the benefits and disadvantages of both. From there, you can make an informed decision based on your hauling needs.
The difference between a bumper pull trailer and a gooseneck is how they connect to a tow vehicle.
The bumper pull trailer is one of the most standard hitches out there. Also known as drag trailers, bumper trailers connect to the ball hitch on a tow vehicle's rear frame. These trailers have a tongue with a rounded pocket that fits perfectly onto a standard ball hitch. This type of hitch is extremely common, so bumper pull trailers can be used with many popular vehicles.
A gooseneck trailer is named for its shape. The connecting piece has a large arch shape resembling the neck of a goose, giving this design a wildly different look compared to the low-set tongue piece on a bumper pull trailer. Gooseneck trailers need to be anchored through the bed of a pickup truck with the help of frame rails. These metal pieces are attached to the truck's frame and stretch across the width of its flatbed. The center of this frame has a gooseneck hitch ball that protrudes through the truck bed and provides the connection point for the trailer.
The design differences between gooseneck and bumper pull trailers mean there are big differences to consider when shopping for a new hauler.
While it's not a rule, you can usually expect gooseneck trailers to come in larger sizes than bumper pull trailers. A gooseneck trailer will overlap with a truck's bed. This positioning over the tow vehicle's rear axle disperses pressure more evenly across the frame. The science behind a gooseneck trailer means it can safely handle more weight.
Bumper pull trailers, in contrast, don't benefit from this improved load dispersion, so they tend to have lower weight capacities.
Bumper pull trailers are often smaller than their gooseneck counterparts, another factor that typically translates to a lower towing capacity. This lower capacity makes the bumper pull design ideal for personal hauling needs, but these models might not have the capacity needed for larger-scale commercial hauling. Gooseneck is often the choice for those applications.
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Generally, a bumper pull trailer will cost less than a gooseneck. Since bumper pull trailers are smaller and lighter, less material and money are needed to manufacture them. The lower cost also makes these trailers more accessible to people with minimal hauling needs. Gooseneck trailers, on the other hand, are larger, which typically drives up the costs.
The primary advantages of bumper pull trailers are:
The biggest disadvantages of bumper pull trailers are:
Gooseneck trailers can be a great choice for several reasons, including:
Some of the challenges you might face with a gooseneck trailer include:
Whether or not a gooseneck trailer is better than a bumper pull will depend on what you need it for. Both types are reliable for hauling and can make your life easier when it comes to moving large loads from point A to point B. When you're ready to buy a trailer, you should consider your priorities to determine which trailer is the best choice.
For example, a business that has high-capacity hauling needs every day will have better luck with a gooseneck. On the other hand, a hobby woodworker who needs to haul materials for projects will probably turn to the bumper pull to save some money. Think about what's most important to you to find the right trailer for your hauling requirements.
Nationwide Trailers is your source for all types of trailers, from gooseneck and bumper pull styles to more specialized models like race trailers and concession trailers. We have what you need across multiple locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. Browse our inventory today and call or text your nearest location for more information.
Of all the choices you'll make when selecting a trailer, none will affect your driving more than the choice between a bumper pull trailer and gooseneck trailer. How do you decide which hitch to choose?
Over the course of this article, you'll learn the difference between a gooseneck hitch and a bumper pull hitch, along with the advantages and compromises of owning each type. By the end, you'll hopefully have enough information to figure out the right type of hitch for you and your tow vehicle.
The most common type of hitch is the bumper pull, also known as a drag or tagalong trailer. The name is slightly misleading because the trailer doesn't actually connect to the tow vehicle's bumper. Instead, the trailer's tongue fits over a ball hitch that juts out from the vehicle's frame at the rear of the vehicle.
Bumper pull trailers have a lot of advantages. Most of these advantages are because bumper pulls are smaller than goosenecks. This means a bumper pull trailer usually costs less than a gooseneck. It also means you may not have to buy a pickup truck in order to tow a bumper pull. Depending on the trailer, a motorhome, SUV or crossover may be suitable for hauling one.
Another advantage is the combined weight of a bumper pull trailer and vehicle is unlikely to exceed 10,001 lbs. This is usually the weight at which a trailer is declared commercial and requires a special license to haul, but you'll want to check with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles in case your state has lower limits.
A bumper pull hitch is also an advantage for a first-time trailer owner. It is a more common style of hitch than a gooseneck, and as a result it's less intimidating. In addition, a first-time trailer owner is more likely to have a bumper pull hitch on his or her SUV or pickup truck than a gooseneck hitch. First-time trailer owners will also appreciate that a bumper pull trailer has a normal turn radius, so the trailer will follow the towing vehicle as it makes a turn.
However, a bumper pull trailer does have some disadvantages. A smaller trailer means less space for living quarters or a dressing room in your trailer, and if you're hauling horses or livestock it also limits the number of animals you can transport. If you want to haul more than two horses for instance, you may want a gooseneck trailer instead.
In fact, you'll want to be careful when hauling heavier loads overall. You'll need to make sure your truck is rated properly for the weight. If not, you are likely to encounter several problems while on the road, such as lack of stability and loss of control, including trailer swaying.
A gooseneck trailer, on the other hand, is often owned by a trailering veteran. A gooseneck can easily be confused with a fifth-wheel trailer because the two hitch types are quite similar. The difference is a gooseneck trailer slides over a ball hitch in the bed of a pickup truck, while a fifth-wheel trailer attaches to a pickup truck using a hinged plate hitch; the same type of hitch is used by semi-trucks.
The biggest advantage of a gooseneck trailer over a bumper pull is its stability. Since the tongue weight of the trailer is over the truck's rear axle instead of at the back of the frame, the potential of the trailer to sway is minimized. This increased stability also means gooseneck trailers can accommodate more weight and be larger than a bumper pull trailer. Goosenecks have more room for living quarters if you want them, as well as more room for any cargo you haul.
Gooseneck trailers also have a tighter turn radius. This lets you cut corners tighter than a bumper pull trailer and lets you maneuver the trailer in tighter spaces. This tight turn radius can be a double-edged sword, though. It takes a few tries to learn, and if you mess up you can take off the trailer's fender, to say nothing of damaging street signs and other cars on the road.
A gooseneck trailer has limitations, though. One is its size. You won't be able to haul one with anything less than a pickup truck, and unlike bumper pull trailers, several goosenecks are heavy enough to be classified as commercial. Gooseneck trailers also require a special hitching system, installed in the bed of a pickup truck.
Gooseneck trailers are less common than bumper pull trailers. This means most pickup trucks don't come equipped with a gooseneck trailer ball in their truck beds. You'll need a mechanic (and some additional money) to do this.
Another gooseneck trailer issue is the storage of the trailer itself. Since gooseneck trailers are generally larger than bumper pull trailers, storing one is a little more complicated than storing a bumper pull.
When considering whether to purchase a gooseneck or a bumper pull trailer, you want to figure out how many trailers you need. If you plan on transporting several horses, livestock, ATVs, etc., you'll want to consider getting a gooseneck. You'll also want to consider getting a gooseneck if you're planning on camping in your trailer because you'll have more living space. A bumper pull trailer, on the other hand, fits better with hobby farmers.
Gooseneck and bumper pull trailers both have their own advantages. Choosing the hitch that's right for you will give you a better ride and optimize your trailering experience.
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