Which Horse Trailer? Bumper Pull or Gooseneck?
February 26th, 2010 by KittyKitty
When looking for a new trailer, there are numerous features to think about. One crucial feature is whether the horse trailer will have a gooseneck or bumper pull design. There are a number of reasons why you might gain from either type. We’ll compare the two layouts to see which suits you best.
Bumper Pull Horse Trailers – Advantages and Disadvantages
Bumper pull trailers, also called tag-along layouts, are horse trailers that connect to a hitch on the pulling vehicle. The trailer simply “tags along” behind the hauling vehicle and does not become a part of the overall vehicle.
Plus Points
There are a few good aspects of bumper pull trailers. They typically cost far less than a gooseneck horse trailer. It’s not compulsory to drive a 4×4 pickup for hauling the trailer, and more people can tow this design of horse trailer with their usual car. Manouverability is regularly easier because the tag-along will go along with the path of your tow vehicle. You don’t need a large amount of space for the horsebox as you would for a gooseneck trailer. The trailer doesn’t need to be classified as a “commercial” vehicle for licensing purposes as the weight of both the horsebox and tow vehicle is typically below 10,001 lbs.
Bad Points
There are many negative points as well. These type of trailers do not present as much room for clothing and tack. Some bumper pull trailers may not be sufficient for hauling any more than two horses due to the type of hitch required for the weight of the trailer. Also, bumper pull trailers tend to snake on bendy roads, which can be hazardous.
Gooseneck Layouts – Plus and Minus Points
Gooseneck trailers vary from bumper pull trailers in the way they are hitched. The gooseneck is attached within the hauling pickup’s load bed with a ball and coupler mating. The gooseneck trailer provides a number of benefits. It doesn’t wobble or snake like a bumper trailer often does, and pulling is more stable. They also provide more room for living quarters, which can be suitable for camping and longer journeys. The gooseneck layout is more simple to reverse up to and line up with the ball while joining it to your hauling vehicle, because you can see it clearly from the rear window. The gooseneck layout is more safe without the fear of the load coming unhitched while travelling on the highway.
Negative Points
There are also some disadvantages. Gooseneck layouts normally cost more and are usually bigger so they must be towed with a 4×4 that is powerful enough to tow it. The hitching design is also more pricey for a gooseneck design. Another disadvantage is that while hitching the trailer, you must climb into the bed of the 4×4 to finish the attachment. Also, you will need to detach your load top from your 4×4 to tow a gooseneck trailer.
Choosing the Right Trailer
Whether you’re considering a bumper pull or gooseneck trailer, you can check on the web to research a range of features of each. If you’re budget is limited, you can find many used horseboxes for sale and horse trailers for sale to find a bargain. Consider the plus points and negative points of both designs prior to buying. For more information and horses for sale, visit the Horse and Pony Directory
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