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Q2) What are the advantages of bumper pull trailer vs.
gooseneck/5th wheel trailers?
A bumper pull trailer has the advantage of being towed by
many types and styles of vehicles. Pick-up trucks, RVs, SUVs or even cars
can be equipped for this purpose. Anytime you tow a trailer, your tow
vehicle must meet the requirements given by the manufacturer for the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Some specific advantages of a bumper pull trailer:
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Easy to use for most people and it can be easily
attached to another tow vehicle
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Less expensive than gooseneck trailers
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The bumper pull trailer follows the path of the tow vehicle
making it easier to turn corners in a normal manner
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They generally weigh less and licensing is less complicated
if the weight is less than 10,000 lbs.
Some disadvantages of a bumper pull trailer:
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If hauling two or more horses, stability may be a
problem; the tongue weight is heavier on the rear of the tow vehicle;
tow vehicles must be rated correctly for weight in this situation
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Carelessness in hitching is more common
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There is generally not as much room for sleeping quarters
The gooseneck/5th wheel/mini 5th is a trailer with the
coupler placed inside the box or bed of the truck. The trailer appears to
have a 'neck' that extends over the box or bed of the tow vehicle. A
gooseneck uses a ball hitch that is placed into the box of the truck. The
mini 5th uses a pin hitch. The 5th wheel uses a 'semi-trailer' style
coupler while the pin is fastened onto the trailer neck.
Some advantages of the gooseneck/5th wheel/mini 5th:
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The down weight is over the truck axle which gives more
stability
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The trailer starts turning when the tow vehicle turns,
cutting corners more quickly than the bumper-pull and giving a tighter
turning radius
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Living quarters are more easily built into gooseneck
trailers
Some disadvantages of a gooseneck:
- The tighter turning radius makes it more difficult to make normal turns -
it's easy to cut corners too sharply running over a curb or hitting a post,
etc.
- To hitch up to a coupler (mini 5th) you must get in and out of the bed of
the truck
- Goosenecks are more expensive because they are generally larger
Additional resources include:
Kiefer Built, Inc.
P.O. Box 88
Kanawha, Iowa 50447
Phone: 515-762-3201
Fax: 515-762-3425
Toll Free: 1-888-2KIEFER (1-888-254-3337)
sales@kieferbuiltinc.com
http://www.kieferbuiltinc.com
Trail-Et Inc.
P.O. Box 499
Waupaca, WI 54981
Phone:
715-258-8565
Toll Free:
800-344-1326
Fax: 715-258-8593
Feather Lite Trailers
Information for these and other trailer/tow vehicle questions is courtesy
of:
Mr. Ray Reimann
Horseman Trailer Sales
W5712 Hwy JJ
Appleton, WI 54913
920-733-3414
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