Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck Trailer:
One of the biggest decisions when buying a trailer is how you’ll tow it. Here’s the ultimate bumper pull vs. gooseneck trailer showdown to help you decide.
Maybe you need a trailer to tow equipment.
Maybe you’re looking for a trailer to move livestock.
Or maybe you want to join the 77 million Americans that go camping each year.
No matter why you’re looking for a trailer, you need to know the differences between them.
Read on for our guide on the gooseneck trailer vs the bumper pull and how to choose the right one for you.
1. What’s the Main Difference?
The main difference between a gooseneck trailer and a bumper pull trailer is the way they attach to a vehicle.
A bumper pull trailer attaches to a vehicle via a ball hitch on the back bumper of a truck, SUV, or motorhome.
A gooseneck trailer has a long “neck” that reaches up over the back of the tailgate and slides over a ball hitch in the bed of the truck.
2. Cost of Bumper Pull vs Gooseneck Trailer
Bumper pull trailers are typically smaller and much lighter weight. So you’ll often end up paying less for a bumper pull than a gooseneck.
If cost is a factor in your decision between trailers, then a bumper pull might be best for you.
3. Size and Weight
Gooseneck trailers are capable of being longer without destabilizing the towing vehicle. So they are more often longer, wider, and weigh more.
But that also means they can carry and tow much more than a bumper pull.
Gooseneck trailers must be towed by a truck and need special equipment that isn’t usually standard to most trucks.
Depending on the size of your bumper pull, you might be able to tow it behind an SUV or an RV.
So if you don’t have a truck, or you want a smaller trailer, a bumper pull might be the right choice for you.
If you’ve got a truck and need a larger trailer to pull more weight, then choose a gooseneck.
4. Towing Capacity
Because of the size of most bumper pull trailers, you won’t be able to tow as much as a gooseneck trailer.
So consider the size and weight of the trailer you need. If you need more than what an SUV could reasonably pull then you should probably consider a gooseneck trailer.
You’ll want to use a towing capacity guide to understand how much your vehicle can truly tow.
5. Stability
Gooseneck trailers are more stable than bumper pulls because they center the weight of the trailer on the rear axle of the truck rather than the rear bumper.
In simpler terms, a gooseneck trailer won’t sway or wobble behind your towing vehicle as much as a bumper pull will.
If you’re traveling long distances, and want more stability, a gooseneck trailer should be your choice.
Which is Right for You?
In the end, if you’re looking for a small, affordable trailer that can be towed behind a truck, SUV, or RV then a bumper pull is probably the right trailer for you.
If you’re in need of a trailer with large towing capacity, you have a truck, and you want a safer, more stable ride, then a gooseneck trailer should be your choice.
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