Doc GTO

Peter is talking about the very front of the overhang on the Gooseneck. Instead o a flat front it will either be a half circle or a v-nose.


Example of a v-nose gooseneck:
http://www.enclosedtrailersforless.c...&category_id=4

TRAKCAR

Most featherlights are tapered, mine goes from full with to about 4' about the width of the bed and rood of the truck, because it is a short bed (Only 1" clearing on tight turns!) it is close to the cab, so no wind goes in between. All the bugs / snow hit slightly higher then the roof line of the truck.

All my aero analisys is based on where the bugs hit ;-)

TRAKCAR

I just found the build sheets:
It is an Optima, they went out of business as far as I know.

It has the dove tail and flip out ramp so I can just drive it in with CUP chin spoiler attached.

Doc GTO

I like the tie down track in the 3rd photo. Good idea!

TRAKCAR

Love it, just position D ring where you want it.
It's called airplane track.

Doc GTO

Nice! I want this on my next trailer!

John H

I had a 45 foot gooseneck and pulled it with a GMC HD 3500 diesel dually. On the highway, it was the easiest, straightest, and smoothest tow ever. It was a pain in the paddock or regular gas station though. You'll be looking for truck stops for fuel.

mooty

i have a "strange" question.
most goosenecks are 40'+.
i suppose the reason being shorter trailer is fine with bumper pull.
i would like to try a goose neck. but i dont need two car trailer..... so, at what point is the trailer too short to make a goose neck?

24+8 (nose) = 32 total
28+8 (nose) = 36 total
or ????

VERBOTN

@Mooty you have PM:

Image of my box for reasons I provided go with the goose and get the 45.

TRAKCAR

Christian,

Is that 28'? That would make it a 36' Gooseneck for Mooty, if he wants to restrict himself to taking only one car + storage benches, etc, etc.

Floodj

Trakcar,
That is a great looking rig. I can see why they call the tie down rails the aircraft system--it looks a lot like the inside of a USAF cargo aircraft.
I like that your overbed storage is not pointed at the front, so you keep a good storage area.

How did it pull through that snow storm?

--Joe

TRAKCAR

But it is. It is 8' deep and goes from 8' wide to 5' wide.

It pulled horrible, there was a 50Mph side wind and I had to follow the sliding trailer in the mirrors off the lane (Into oncoming) to not spin off the road. My summer tires where spinning uphill. Dark, 20F, no hotels no nothing, the scariest 8 hours of my life, I was exhausted. Came home sold blue 2x4 and bought new silver 4x4..

VERBOTN

@Peter
Actually its a 30' that original buyer backed out and was sitting new/un-used at dealer. Compared to my Featherlite that was stolen its a piece of crap but it works for now. Evolution 4 will need to wait unitl I get the cup.

Floodj

@Peter

What I meant was. I have seen trailers where the overhang is a triangle, whereas yours is a trapezoid. I think yours is a great design, and doesn't scarifice as much cargo space as the triangle design.

I spun my truck and trailer once. My brother and I were driving on I-80 headed west outside of Cayenne, Wyoming when we hit some black ice. The whole truck with my 20-foot open flat bed (with my Jeep Wrangler on it) did a 180. Luckily there was snow in the median which kept us from smashing the whole side of the truck into the guard rail. When we stopped we were pointing east on I-80.

My brother saved my life that day, he quickly shouted to "get the hell out of here." There was no traffic coming so I started the massive U-turn which took us to the shoulder on the other side of the road. The shoulder was also covered with snow and the truck started getting stuck. Once again my big brother to the rescue. He said to go for four wheel low and don't stop. I think we basically plowed our way off the shoulder.

Once we got turned around we pulled up about 200 feet to check the trailer and make sure the Jeep hadn't come loose. As I was getting out of the truck I saw another pick-up against the median guard rail in the same spot we were in a few minutes earlier. I am sure if my brother hadn't insisted we get off the median the second pick-up would have hit us broadside. The only damage to the truck was to the front bumper and its trim, and on the trailer the cable which activates the brakes if the trailer comes un-hooked was broken.

Actually as I envisioned driving a 40 foot goose. I wondered what would have happened that day if we had a trailer like that instead of the little flat bed.

Thanks,
--Joe

Doc GTO

Another reason why I ALWAYS buy 4X4 trucks!