Trailers

[DK_stihl]

I was wondering what is more popular: fifth wheel flatbed/dumps or bumper pull flatbed/dumps. I was thinking of buying a flatbed and I have the ability of towing either style, so I was wondering. Thanks. BTW the tow vehicles would be either a '99 f-250 4x4 w/7.3L powerstroke & 6 speed manual or a '93 f-350 w/ a 460 V-8 & 5 speed manual. Opinions?

 

[redprospector]

I'm sure that bumper hitch trailers are more popular by far, but I'd rather pull a gooseneck trailer 10 to 1.

Andy

 

[gr8scott72]

Well, the back of my truck is permanently covered so I can't use a 5th wheel but even if I had a truck, I'd probably still use the bumper pull and have my tools in the back of the truck with some kind of cover.

Couple of pics of my new trailers:

24' heavy hauler by Top Hat

6'x12' 12k dump trailer

6'x12'x6' dumping chip box trailer:

that will still haul the skid to the job:

And, the back of the Excursion:

 

[redprospector]

That's a real nice set up Scott.
Most of the roads I travel are old logging roads. I can turn a gooseneck around in a turnout by jack knifing it if I need to.
The main thing I like about a gooseneck is that it will distribute the weight of the load over both pickup axles, and when I'm pulling 3 or 4 cords of wood, or a rubber tired skidder that's important.
My truck bed is alway's full of crap.............er............tools . I have to clear out a path for the hitch to go in the bed, and then re-distribute the crap..............er...........tools back in the rear of the bed.
I wish I were as organized as you.

Andy

 

[Hoosier]

Nice thing about a goose-neck is that space for a tool box and the nature of the built in headache rack.

Also, weight distribution is much much better with the load over the axle, but you will lose the bed for hauling.

 

[gr8scott72]

Nice thing about a goose-neck is that space for a tool box and the nature of the built in headache rack.

But the gooseneck negates any space you have in the bed of the truck. Plus, I don't always have the same trailer with me so if I stored all my tools on the trailer, I'd either be without them or swapping them all the time.

 

[Hoosier]

But the gooseneck negates any space you have in the bed of the truck. Plus, I don't always have the same trailer with me so if I stored all my tools on the trailer, I'd either be without them or swapping them all the time.

You can still have a tool box on the back of the truck...
You can still use the bed of the truck if you are hauling a trailer with 10k lbs on it? Most everything would be on the trailer if it were me, but the basic tools for every job would still be ok in the back of the truck.

 

[gink595]

But the gooseneck negates any space you have in the bed of the truck.

No it doesn't, you still have all your bed space except the part where the ball is. Of course you can't haul large objects like a 4'x4'x4' box, but you can get all your hand tools saws and what not packed in there. I guess it just comes down to what your trying to haul. But from what I see what you have packed in the Excursion you could get in the back of the pickup box.


But for the OP I would perfer a gooseneck 10 fold also. I'm using a 14' dump trailer right now from my wifes uncle, it pulls really nice though for a bumper pull, they have the weight dist. nailed on it. Here is a 28' gooseneck that the bees knees

 

[gr8scott72]

I guess it just comes down to what your trying to haul. But from what I see what you have packed in the Excursion you could get in the back of the pickup box.

I won't argue that a gooseneck is overall better to tow. To me though, I like not only being able to carry what I have in the back of my Excursion but ALSO being able to SECURILY carry all of it locked in the back. That is what you can't do with a gooseneck.

 

[gink595]

I won't argue that a gooseneck is overall better to tow. To me though, I like not only being able to carry what I have in the back of my Excursion but ALSO being able to SECURILY carry all of it locked in the back. That is what you can't do with a gooseneck.

I think with a setup like this (see link) you could fit everything in plus use the gooseneck. It might be tight clearance for rough terrain clearing the gooseneck when turning, I'm sure a few of you with bent bed rails know what I'm talking about

http://www.cpodeltatruckboxes.com/truck_storage/topside_boxes/

 

[gr8scott72]

I think with a setup like this (see link) you could fit everything in plus use the gooseneck. It might be tight clearance for rough terrain clearing the gooseneck when turning, I'm sure a few of you with bent bed rails know what I'm talking about

http://www.cpodeltatruckboxes.com/truck_storage/topside_boxes/

All except the hand tools and HT131 pole saw.

I actually have one of those 72" top-side boxes on the tongue of my small trailer. Mine is a Jobox but they are owned by delta. Very nice box.

 

[Slvrmple72]

But the gooseneck negates any space you have in the bed of the truck. Plus, I don't always have the same trailer with me so if I stored all my tools on the trailer, I'd either be without them or swapping them all the time.

Just buy a second set! Problem solved! You run into anymore problems just give me a call! LOL!

 

[gr8scott72]

Just buy a second set! Problem solved! You run into anymore problems just give me a call! LOL!

Guess I need to come over to your house and pick some off that money tree you got growing in your back yard. :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[redprospector]

Everyone has their own priority's to consider when pulling a trailer.
A gooseneck is just easier on the truck, period, and that's my biggest investment in hauling other than what I have on the trailer at times.

When I'm hooked to a gooseneck, I generally have at least 2 chainsaws, 2 boxes of wrenches etc., at least one 5 gallon gas can, a 100 gallon diesel tank, a crossbed tool box, a couple of cant hooks, cables (from 50' to 100'), grease gun's, etc. etc. etc in the truck bed. If I feel security is a problem I'll go to a flatbed with underbody boxes, and a couple of low profile boxes up top down the sides.

Andy

 

[48"BAR PINCHER]

I tow both a 10 ton tag and a 12 ton 34' GN trailer with my pickup. I have a Greeenlee tool box in the bed that measures 2' x 2'6"x 4'6". It sets just in front of my GN ball. That is a secure box. IMO that Excursion is not secure at all. If anyone is serious about wanting your stuff it's just a broken window and 30 seconds away. Sure it will stop the casual snatch and grab but not a hard core tool grabber. My box is chained into the bed and doubled padlocked lid. It would take a key, a torch, or a chopsaw to get into it or steal the whole box. It won't stop them but it will slow them down a bit.

I'd take my GN over my tag almost anytime. Tows nicer, can load more up front weight wise, and if space is an issue you can always mount the box on top of the GN. Down side to a GN is they are heavier. My GN empty is 8,200# and my tag is 4,100#.

 

[redprospector]

I tow both a 10 ton tag and a 12 ton 34' GN trailer with my pickup. I have a Greeenlee tool box in the bed that measures 2' x 2'6"x 4'6". It sets just in front of my GN ball. That is a secure box. IMO that Excursion is not secure at all. If anyone is serious about wanting your stuff it's just a broken window and 30 seconds away. Sure it will stop the casual snatch and grab but not a hard core tool grabber. My box is chained into the bed and doubled padlocked lid. It would take a key, a torch, or a chopsaw to get into it or steal the whole box. It won't stop them but it will slow them down a bit.

I'd take my GN over my tag almost anytime. Tows nicer, can load more up front weight wise, and if space is an issue you can always mount the box on top of the GN. Down side to a GN is they are heavier. My GN empty is 8,200# and my tag is 4,100#.

Yep, locks don't keep thief's out. They just help honest folks stay honest.
You're right about a gooseneck being heavier, I didn't think about that. I don't have to worry about DOT out here like folks in a more populated area.
One thing's for sure, the neck on your trailer dosen't weigh 4100# so there must be more "beef" in the rest of the trailer.

Andy