RICHVIZZ951

Let's see what you guys have to say.

I have a Haulmark 24ft tag, pull it with a Chevy Duramax 2500HD No Problemo. Figure trailer is about 8-9k lbs GVW with all my stuff packed in it. I believe my truck is rated to pull 10,500lbs.

I would like a trailer with Living Quarters. I have my eye on a 34, however its a tag. At that size I thought it would be best to go with a Gooseneck. Would a gooseneck be better and are the advantages of a gooseneck that much greater than a tag. I find the goosenecks are more costly, making the tag appealing in that sense. Guess I may hear they sway less, pull and stop better, would love to hear from someone who actually had both of similiar size.

The last issue I may have is I figure the new trailer will weight about 12-13k lbs, exceeding the limit of my truck. Will some air shocks cut it there, or is that just way too much weight for a 2500hd pulling a Tag?

All opinions appreciated.

Dbltime

I went from a Featherlite 24 to a Roadmaster 40 with LQ. Absolutely hated the LQ trailer. Sold it took a bath and bought a new 24 Featherlite.

Racing requires enough planning without screwing with a huge trailer. Empty the holding tank, fill the generator tank, switch the propane bottles... find a parking place, find a place to fuel up the truck that has room for this monster... The little trailer is sooooo handy and easy to get around

All that being said if you go over 24-28' you should have 5th wheel hitch. I happen to have one welded to a 2005 Dodge dually with leather, automatic, 4wd, all the goodies... cheap! only 5500 miles!

Lothar

Doesn't the gooseneck setup allow for a heavier load since the tow vehicle is loaded over the rear axles rather than behind the vehicle? Can you use the GVWR in determining the max trailer weight with the gooseneck or 5th wheel?

Dbltime

You need to look at the bed load rating for your truck. The LQ trailers have a huge amount of tongue weight. My 2500 dodge with 4wd would not handle the tongue weight of the LQ trailer. The 3500 dually with 4WD and HD springs was squashed like a bug with that monster. The tongue weight was 3500-4000 #'s I think

rsrdan

I been looking at these.There is one at a local dealer for 18k 2006.Very nice!.... If only the wife liked as much!! http://www.martinsburgrv.com/feature...featured_id=31

RedlineMan

Hey Rich;

Bill's advice is solid, of course. 5th wheels tow with FAR more stability than draggers. Since the tongue weight is over the axle, not so-many-feet behind it, they do not yaw nearly as much, if at all. They also turn and back in much less room than an equal length dragger. You can pivot them 360 in the wheel base of the rig! LQ will obviously complicate all of that, and your truck will get marginal in a hurry. It will pull it, but the suspension will take a beating if you really load it. I personally think anything over 30' should be a 5th, and 28' with a dragger better have a stout truck in front of it!

Towing rule-of-thumb; Bigger trucks is better trucks!

By the way, you looked good at VIR. I gauge that by how fast you pulled away in the turns. Not many do.

RICHVIZZ951

Thanks for your input guys. Actually I knew the answers I was gonna get, just needed a little more reinforcement to keep my wallet in my pocket for now. No substitue for experience.

Bill, I hear ya on the 40 footer, the 24 is managable just about anywhere. Guess, I'm gonna look for a 34 goose with lq, should only increase my overall length, by 8 feet, and is the correct setup. Gonna have to put together a few more sheckles though.

John, I am certain we have met, having a problem putting a face to your name though (Im terrible like that). My last event was the Summit CR, I drive the 319 car. I used to co own the 49 car, but recently sold it. That car may have been at VIR. It was a great car.

Thanks again

vegasgolf98

What is the difference between and 5th wheel and a gooseneck? I can't tell the difference.

Dbltime

Gooseneck attaches to a ball in the center of the truck bed. 5th wheel attaches like a tractor trailer, large pivoting plate attached in the bed of the truck. 5th wheel is recommended over 15000# and easier to hook up to with the pick up.

I am certainly not a trailer expert but this is what I learned in my 60 days of 5th wheel trailer ownership.

Bull

Also, with a gooseneck, you can install the ball in the "middle" of the bed in a way that it flips over and gives a flat bed surface when not in use. A fith wheel is stronger than a gooseneck, so can do the 1500#+.

vegasgolf98

Thanks!

hammerwerfer

I had a 43' Chapparal 6 wheel goose neck towed with a crew cab dually back in 'the late 80s. It was rock steady on the highway. Nothing like having the big compressor, generator, awning, and workshop all in one package. Only way to fly!

Phokaioglaukos

Any thoughts on a 24' aluminum trailer, fifth wheel vs. bumper pull, maybe a Featherlite? I have NO towing experience and think I could manage a fifth wheel better.

VERBOTN

My calculation:

30' tag with all the goodies + nice hotel = happy wife.

95m3racer

I'm thinking about getting one of these next year, in 30' or 32'. Its big enough, and not too big to be a pain to lug around tight areas. Figure 10k for the trailer/shipping, and another 10k to get the trailer interior up to par.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-2007-ENCLOSE...QQcmdZViewItem