Hello, this is my first post. This forum looks like you all have a wealth of information, I'm so glad I found you! I would appreciate your input on my dilemma-I tried to be as specific as possibleTruck: 2017 Ram 3500 LB dually Aisin transmisson 4.10Currently tow 3 horse BP trailer, 20.5'long x 8'wideGoal: Living quarters for travelling. Live on the west coast, would like to ride trails all over the countryDilemma:Driving the dually LB is new to me and I'm intimidated at the thought of towing a long trailer. And I want access to mildly off road trailer camping. But of course I want as much interior real estate as possible!I like the slide in max length trailers- 11+ feet. but they hang out of the bed about 4'. I'm told that the extension receiver for a bumper pull will leave my bumper pull unsteady and make the manuevering much more difficult-true story?Which will give me the greatest living space and be easiest to maneuver: a slide in camper with my current trailer, or a gooseneck LQ trailer? My friend says a shorter bumper pull trailer will be harder to maneuver than a longer goose neck. I know that goosenecks are easier than bumper pull, but I'd be adding at least 10' to a pull behind trailer.PS, I will be going out of town and not sure I will be able to check in, so my responses might be delayed but I'll try to check in. I'm back Sunday

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With F350, why not get a 3 horse GN, with forward living quarters, likely can get one that will have nice living quarters, and not be much longer than your current BP horse trailer.

Agree with Russ....A GN LEQ makes sense for your needs. Having pulled a bumper pull and a GN trailers for a living the bumper pull will be a will maneuver much easier than a long GN LEQ trailer. If my wife can do it so can you. LEQ horse trailers axle are placed farther aft which places more hitch weight on the truck than a conventional 5t wheel/GN trailer. Depending on how long of a trailer you want it may need a one ton DRW truck. If your looking at a LEQ check outclicky link...and other horse people forums.

I see gooseneck w/living qtrs all the time here in NY. If $$$ isn't a problem, go w/ the gooseneck set up. More stable. More room VS a bumper pull (well documented in the 5er forum/section). More weight on truck's axle. List goes on and on.

The gooseneck pulls beautiful down the road. You can learn to back up either. For off road areas you do need to be careful with a gooseneck as the clearance between the end gate and gooseneck can be an issue. The new trucks have a 3" hitch receiver on them ...a hitch extension would be pretty tough. I would get a hitch extension built for your truck and try it out with your current trailer. If you are satisfied with the way it handles you can start shopping for a camper.

Bumper Pull versus Gooseneck for me | Good Sam Community

mkirsch
Nomad II
Dec 08, 2016
While some TC can be cramped, the larger ones are quite roomy, but with roomy comes HEAVY. The top end ones can exceed your truck's rated payload capacity by 1000-1500lbs, which in and of itself is not a huge issue. The issue comes when you go to throw ANOTHER 1200lbs of tongue weight from the horse trailer, on a 4' extension. That's an awful lot for your truck to handle. You'll need airbags and helper springs of some sort. Forget offroad because you'll sink like a stone dragging an anchor, being so heavy.

If you consider smaller campers in the 8'-9.5' floor range, you knock off a (literal) ton of weight or more, and you can tow your existing 3-horse trailer with a much shorter extension, or no extension at all! Much more practical.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Dec 08, 2016
Go GN LQ if you'll only be campin with the hay burners.
Or get a TC, hitch ext like bedlam reccomended, and use your current trailer if you want to use the camper other times.
It will tow fine. Your truck is big enough to do both capably.
The_real_wild1
Explorer
Dec 07, 2016
Go to the rv dealer and look at both. Id go with the GN trailer with living quarters. I had a camper this year and got rid of it after the first time I used it. They are just so small to spend any time in. If you want a bed and fridge only they are ok. The bathrooms suck. Not much room at the dinette and getting in and out of the bed is a pain, especially if you have been drinking lol. I went from a class a motorhome( which I still have ) to the camper and in a winter storm I prefer to have more room inside. I bought a toy hauler 5th wheel and they are so much more comfortable. Try to look at as many as possible.
Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 07, 2016
I'm 47' long overall with the pivot point almost at mid point. My bumper pull trailer tracks the truck in a turn much better than a fifth wheel or goose neck.
moresmoke
Explorer
Dec 07, 2016
The TC and bumper pull will be more "manuverable", as in possible to get it in tighter spots. The gooseneck will be easier to manuver backwards into parking spots. The bumper pull on a long extension will be challenging to backup.

Also consider if you use the truck for other things. Loading and unloading a TC takes more time than hitching up a trailer.
barngal
Explorer
Dec 07, 2016
Bedlam wrote:
The GN will tow nicer on the highway. The additional length of the GN will limit where you can tow it off road and which spots you select in campgrounds. There are some state parks in my area that are tight for anything being towed over 25' due to tight narrow loops that are defined by trees and rocks.

For driveability, a 30'gooseneck trailer is easier to tow, turn and back, than a 30' bumper pull, is that correct?

The RV manufacturers are way ahead of the horse trailer campers in efficiency. The horse trailers are still using old style RV products. They look luxurious but don't use the space as well.

I was hoping to get a deluxe model truck camper and pull my bumper pull horse trailer. BUT I think by the time the camper hangs over my truck bed by 4 feet and I extend my hitch, I will be approaching the same length as a gooseneck "camper" (aka living quarters) horse trailer.

At that point, it makes sense from a maneuverability standpoint to get a goose neck horse trailer. Now if I get a less fancy truck camper, that doesn't hang out the back as much, it would be as easy to manage, so its a no brainer for me.
But I really want the double slideout, couch AND dinette. And I think that just makes it a really long bumper pull...
Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 07, 2016
The GN will tow nicer on the highway. The additional length of the GN will limit where you can tow it off road and which spots you select in campgrounds. There are some state parks in my area that are tight for anything being towed over 25' due to tight narrow loops that are defined by trees and rocks.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Dec 07, 2016
The_real_wild1 wrote:
GN trailer and horse trailer together? As in two trailers behind the truck??

Nope, GN horse trailer with living quarters in the forward part of the trailer. Some are very nice.
The_real_wild1
Explorer
Dec 07, 2016
GN trailer and horse trailer together? As in two trailers behind the truck??
barngal
Explorer
Dec 07, 2016
thanks for all the good input!

IF I was only going to look at ONE aspect, that of towing most easily,
which would be easiest:

1 ton dually truck with 11.8" slide in camper, extended bumper hitch and 20" horse trailer OR
same truck, goose neck trailer and 30' LQ horse trailer

Main point: which (if either) will be easier to tow, turn, backup
find camping spots (not RV parks-I'll have horses along)

thanks

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