TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

Glenn F.

09-24-2005 17:42:13

Report to Moderator

It is commonly assumed that a 5th wheel/gooseneck handles so much better than a bumper hitch trailer. While I'm sure they have their advantages, if a bumper trailer is loaded properly they handle pretty well too. (However I admit to never having operated anything but a bumper trailer.) What has been your experience? Thanks, Glenn F.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Jerry/MT

09-25-2005 20:57:53

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

This is what I read before I bought my gooseneck stock trailer in an article in a trailering magazine. When you're sitting around the campfire in a campground, the only guys that don't have any horror stories to tell about pulling a trailer are the guys with goosenecks/fifth wheels. That's because about 15% of the trailers weight is reacted AHEAD of the rear axle and that's good from the standpoint of vehicle stability and control.
It's not that bumper pulls aren't safe IF loaded properly and driven at the proper speeds, it's just that they are not very forgiving if they aren't.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

T_Bone

09-25-2005 13:57:02

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

Hi Glenn,

The problem with a tag trailer (bumper puller) is there's only so much tongue weight(TW) you can have as the hitching has weight restrictions. I built a a custom receiver/hitching to where I was stable at any TW upto 4k pounds but then the weakest link was the 3/4" hitch pin, needed to be 1" or more. Even with custom hitching I could see acellerated wear on my hitching while pulling the heavier trailer weights, 20kGVW so it was time to move into a GN before I tore something up.

In 40yrs of pulling trailers I never used WD or anti-sway devices other than to try them out. I never had a need for them as my tow vehicle was always more than my trailer required and my load weights were always placed evenly on the trailer deck.

The main difference between a 5th/GN comparred to a tag, is you can distribute the load weight more evenly over a longer pin to axle center line. The longer the pin to axle center line is the better the trailer pulls as it's more stable.

T_Bone

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

pcy1066

09-25-2005 12:23:03

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

hauling heavy the gooseneck is way better but the bumper trailors have there place, steiger makes a 2 axel 20ft pull type trailor, 14000 gvw that we have used 4 years, 250 bushel graivety box for grain hauling behind 95 ford ps ,sd dump, also haul tractors behind it and our suburban, , i would buy another like it,

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Mike M

09-25-2005 06:02:31

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

You owe it to yourself to try a gooseneck ! I'm also sold on them.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Galen

09-25-2005 05:24:47

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

I guess I'll be the lone bumper pull fan here! I don't pull a lot of extremely heavy loads, but I have a lot of miles with a 20' flatbed, tilt-top behind me. Had a gooseneck, didn't care for it, so went back to a bumper hitch. I can steer, turn, back and drive better with a bumper pull. Didn't like swinging into oncoming traffic to turn a corner with the gooseneck. The GN does have a weight distribution advantage. I've hauled everything from lumber to a Farmall 460 on this bumper pull and will stick with the BP. Just my crumbled opinion!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

buickanddeere

09-24-2005 20:54:22

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

Depends if you also pull your trailer with a farm tractor. I have seen a quasi fifth wheel made for a the three point hitch of a tractor to haul a goose neck trailer. Speaking of goose necks. My wife hates the d*m dirty honking foul tempered geese I'm raising this year. She is going to choke them to death or wring thier necks come butchering time. Maybe even before.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Loren Coffin

09-24-2005 20:21:41

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

Glenn, the big difference is the 4-5 feet of leverage in the trailer's favor. From the truck's rear axle back to the bumper hitch is how much leverage you're losing when horsing a trailer around. Normal situations don't really show a benefit. Inclement weather or emergencies are where the gooseneck really shines.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Mark - IN.

09-24-2005 20:18:01

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

When you say "bumper hitch", I assume you really mean frame hitch. For the most part, bumper hitches should be avoided. The right catagory frame hitch is another story. The nice thing about frame hitches was that didn't get in the way of the bed for loading like 5th wheels did/do. But are now convertable units that can be removed or flipped out of the way for normal bed usage. A goose neck gives you better weight distribution (especially if you don't have duals) and loads the steering tires hands down over anything off of the rear. I guess that it's your choice, what you can afford, and what your needs are. And while we're at it, a pintle is much stronger pound for pound than any ball. Just my 2 cents, which someone always pokes holes through, including myself.

Mark

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Brown Dirt Cowboy

09-24-2005 19:25:24

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

Glenn if you ever pull a gooseneck you will want to take that bumper hitch off your truck and sell it at the next garage sale. Saying that I do own a bumper hitch trailer but it is for loaning out to my friends who" I don't want to have that ball in the middle of my bed" and believe me they would have to be one hell of a friend to get my pickup and gooseneck trailer. Tom

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

ILL John

09-24-2005 18:57:11

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

I like my gooseneck because I can haul my loader tractor and pull the dead one right up behind me to go home, no need for 2 trips. Had it since '94, had 2 before that, kinda like the 2' disease in boating. 30' no problem here in the Chicago/Milwaukee traffic. Also, I've never had anything but a 2 wheel drive dually to pull it, dually being the key word here. John

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Jimmy King

09-24-2005 18:50:47

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

I have pulled both, my uncle had a bumper hitch, that pulled great. The Goose Neck still out pulled it. The truck is more stable, and as the one post said you can get it in and out of a lot tighter places.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Ohio puller

09-24-2005 18:42:07

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

I've always pulled bumper hitch, about thirty years. When I bought the trailer I have now I took the advice of the tractor talk guys and went gooseneck and as for me I won't go back to bumper hitch. I do have two friends that refuse to pull gooseneck, one is scared to death to load and unload off deckover and the other is scared to death of loading, unloading, and just pulling one in general, so they only pull bumper hitch. Like I said, as for me gooseneck is the only way to go.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Don L C

09-24-2005 18:28:49

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

When there is talk about bumper hitches, nowon ever talks about the equalising hitch with sway control.....with the proper equipment this hitch works very well....

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

lschmeiser@aol.com

09-24-2005 17:51:18

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

I have always pulled a bumper pull livestock trailer. I recently got a gooseneck. There is a night and day difference in the way they handle. I'm not saying that a bumper pull won't work fine, but once you've tried a gooseneck you won't go back to a bumper pull.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

acnky

09-24-2005 17:49:35

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

gooseneck is way ahead. handling, backing all 5th wheel ruins bed space and no side swivel

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

david stephenson

09-24-2005 17:57:44

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to acnky, 09-24-2005 17:49:35

i have been pulling and backing the same 5th wheel gooseneck trl for 25 years and i hauleveything on planet on it. at the city scrubs here in des moines on saturdays i can put it in places you can not put a bumper trl. the gooseneck pulls and turns easier the the bumper hitch, my two cents worth.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

acnky

09-24-2005 17:48:44

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to Glenn F., 09-24-2005 17:42:13

gooseneck is way ahead. handling, backing all 5th wheel ruins bed space and no side swivel

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

petetx

09-24-2005 18:05:10

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to acnky, 09-24-2005 17:48:44

take it from a ole (old) texas cowboy if you ever have a bumper pull start swaying you will never pull anything but gooseneck been gooseneck for 30+ yrs.backs better turns shorter

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Jerry Cent. Mi.

09-25-2005 04:48:42

Report to Moderator

Re: Bumper Hitch vs. 5th Wheel/Gooseneck in reply to petetx, 09-24-2005 18:05:10

I always have a cap on my truck to protect the stuff I keep in the bed. A goose would require removing the cap every time I want to use the trailer. My cap is filmed black on the glass to keep theft down.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy