Hey guys, not really a technical question here, but looking for some insight here, since I know a lot of you guys work your trucks. I'm looking at possibly buying a 6.5-8k lbs mini ex and @ a 4K lbs dump trailer to haul it. I'm torn on which trailer to go with. A 14' bumper pull or a 12' gooseneck. I think I'd really like the gooseneck to help with load distribution on the truck. They are both 14k GVWR, and I don't think it would be an issue maxing out that payload weight with dirt or gravel in a 12' bed. But I'm wondering if the machine will fit ok. My thoughts were worse case, I could stretch the boom out over the gooseneck possibly? I know different machines vary in length, but does anyone have any input? Is the gooseneck worth it with this kind of weight behind my '16 f250? I've never had anything except bumper pull trailers, And other than a 6 month stint driving a semi truck years ago, and occasionally towing a 25' gooseneck at work at low speeds inside the plant, I've only ever pulled bumper pulls.


Also, with my 3" rear lift and tires, I sit 2-3" higher in the rear than a stock f350. Is that going to be an issue?

 

My vote goes to....

I prefer the maneuverability of a gooseneck. As long as your tires are rated for the load I don't see a problem. Does the gooseneck you are looking at have adjustable hitch height? Doesn't hurt to hook up to it before you buy and see if you like how it sits on your truck. You will probably want air bags if your truck currently sits level.

 

My tires are e rated at 3970lbs. Air bags have been in the todo list for a while, and I figured they would be a requirement for this. I emailed the seller to ask about the hitch. My problem is this trailer is a couple hundred miles away.

https://sleequipment.com/dump-traile...0lb-axles.html

 

Maybe just give the seller a holler and see if they would take some measurements for you before you head up there. With the trailer level you would probably want to know distance from ground to bottom of the neck and from the ground to the bottom of the hitch. That will tell you hitch height and clearance over bed rails.

 

If you go the gooseneck route (Which I would) you might want to look at PJ dump trailers. They offer a 6 inch higher hitch riser option that would help with clearance on your taller truck.

 

The fifth wheel will be much nicer to tow. You loose the bed space but if your not using it anyway, it shouldn't matter. If your doing a dump trailer, you'll have to decide between the low deck or high deck models. The higher decks have wider beds as they go over the axles. This will give you more room for equipment. My dump trailer is only 6 feet wide and I can't fit equipment on it but, we load a by hand frequently so the lower deck helps. The biggest issue I have has by far towing heavy loads on bumper pulls is balancing. You need the weight to be on the truck but you don't want all of it. That's an 11k machine. It would fit on 14" trailer I think

 

I have both...bumper is way better....you can carry your shovels...lasers and stuff in box....i have to use my gooseneck gor my big mini because of weight...my track skid and mini hoe go into bumper pull

Big hoe and f450

 

My dump trailer is a bumper pull 14 ft with two 8k lbs axles..it wotks awesome for the baby hoe u35 kubota ot the c227 nh track skid....easy loading and easy to unhitch. Plus have empty box for the other stuff

 

12 ft might be too short....i have to twist my boom to corner for my u 35 to fit on a 14 ft dump

 

Thanks guys. Looks like there's no right or wrong, just preferences. They responded to the email, and it does have an adjustable hitch. Guess I need to decided on a machine before I pick a trailer length. I was wanting the 12 foot just to lighten it up the gooseneck a bit. It would be a PIA climbing up in the bed to hook and unhook. But the gooseneck gives a little more tow capacity. I like seeing the pics of your all's set ups. I get to run a lot of different equipment at work, and other than the radio controlled Grant machine I run daily, excavators are my favorite. Unfortunately, we don't get to play in the dirt very often. Mostly furnace work or busting up old refractory and loading it out. Occasionally we dig out old concrete and regrade for a fresh pour and all the water lines in the plant are ancient, so we get to dig up the leaks every once in a while. I'm wanting to start my own small deal for evenings and weekend work and have it for when I build my house.

 

I'd go bumper pull 14foot long dump trailer with minimal 14k gvw. I'd get a low deck but order extra wide box (good companies make these you just have to look). This way your on a job digging and go pick up material with the dump, plus you have the bed for tools etc

 

I'd prefer gooseneck. As much as I dislike turnover gooseneck *****, they do free up your bed when not pulling a trailer. The gooseneck shouldn't run interference with shovels and lasers. You do need to be organized.

 

This is my 14' PJ low pro dump trailer. My buddy used it to haul a Bobcat with his 350. The fit was tight and as far as I know it pulled well.

 

Not sure if the picture is showing up ?

 

What is that a T190?

T590 with m2 106 freightliner gooseneck dump