I am trying to figure out what I want in a trailer.

Looking at something like 28-30 feet, and would like opinions on the feasibility of pulling a 30ft enclosed with good weight distribution hitch. Now, you don't need to tell me a GN will pull better - this I already know

I would love to hear about personal experiences pulling a properly set up 30ft bumper pull.

Gooseneck disadvantages for me include higher cost and the fact that I just spent 3K on camper shell, and I would really like to be able to have a secured truck bed both for track weekends and in daily life.

 

I'll never have a bumper pull again.

 

I have no experience on gooseneck. But I've heard the pulling is superior.
I think that you are right on regarding having a goose neck and limitations of not being able to utilize the bed of your truck.
I have a 28' Aluminum that is pretty loaded up inside. W/ gear, Car, etc. I'm guessing ~8,500lbs. I pull it with an older (99') Ford 7.3ltr Diesel. No issues w/ balance, "tail wagging the dog", etc. and I do not have any weight distribution or sways.

I think that you are on the right track with looking at 28' or larger as it allows a good amount of space even with the car in the trailer. I've even slept in mine at the track so you can make it livable particularly w/ a generator and HVAC & Heat.

 

28 foot is as far as I would go bumper pull. I am currently looking to go back to gooseneck. When you get that big I would stick with aluminum just because of weight.

ATC, Optima make great trailers, so does gold rush, if you can afford them

Good luck

 

I have optima, great trailer but pace/optima is out of business.
Renegade is good too.

 

Mine is also an Optima. But I thought they were purchased and resurrected?

 

Could be, there's no website and my local dealer no longer carries the brand, but they still service them etc..

 

My gooseneck has a flip flop ball. You pull out a spring loaded pin and the ball lifts out and you reinsert it upside down. It sits totally flush with the bed of the truck. But you could not take off a camper top each weekend. The big thing about a gooseneck is they pull much better and the turn way better and they backup with more accuracy. It is easier to back a 40' gooseneck than a 20' bumper pull.

 

a 28 or 30 foot tag is just a temporary trailer until you trade for the gooseneck.

Our F450 came with gooseneck towing package already installed. the ball flips in the bed and disappears if we don't want it to stick up when not pulling (not that it matters as the only time the gooseneck trailer is not attched to our truck is when we are at the track, it is always hooked up at home). the F450 is a 4-door and we put all our personal crap in the truck, all the car crap in the 40' gooseneck including 2 cars. wish we had a 44 or 48 for more walking space in front of cars when loaded though.

 

thanks for all the input. still on the fence....

GN seems to have way more maneuverability, but hell its not like i live in SF or Manhattan. 98% of my towing is on wide open roads. Live 5 miles from freeway - get off freeway at track.

A 36' GN gives me a 28' box and 8' attic, and is several $$$K more than a tag with 28' box. The 8' attic is nice, but what the hell am I going to do with that? Yes, it is a very nice place to sleep (I camp at paddock, not drive to motel), but what else? That's an expensive bed. Seems like a pain to use as cargo, hefting stuff up and down from there. Getting a goose that is maybe just a couple $K more than a 28' tag will have a way smaller box. Yes, I am on a budget. And yes, I would like to use my truck bed but it is not absolutely essential. What are you guys using the attic for?

I have never pulled a GN, and I have no doubt it is better to pull. No doubt whatsoever. But I am having a hard time convincing myself I NEED it.

 

u don't NEED it
u WANT it
Attic for sleep, kids, storing clean
stuff

u can still use bed with goose neck. I put fuel jug a dvtires there at times.

u can make bed secure when not hitched: google "bed locker".

the more I think about ur, the more I like mine and should keep it

 

I would be on the fence too, but I can only pull a tag with the motor home, so that settles that. My 26' alu is 8,500lbs loaded and I barely feel it behind either the MH or Diesel Dodge 3/4t. I have weight distribution hitch + cam sway control.

Otherwise, I think I would get the goose. You can never have too much space, even if it's just to move around as Clarke said.

 

What is your tow vehicle? If you have a 3/4 pr 1 ton then either is easy. My 3500 dodge tows my 26ft tag with ease.

 

I have a 2012 F-350 turbo diesel long bed.

How is your set up in terms of maneuverability? Turns at intersections? Backing up?

After talking with a lot of people in the trailering bidness, my biggest concern is convenience, not safetyas far as pulling, sway etc.

 

No problems with my 26 footer. Any bigger then you will want to stick to the semi truck fill stations though.

A good question is how much floor space you actually need? I have a 24ft box and i can tow the turbo, spare set of wheels/tires, all my camping equipment for 4, and tools.

A 30 ft GN only has a 22ft box as the overhang is 8 ft. To get a 30 ft box on a GN you have to get a 38 footer.