Gooseneck trailer tips

[96z28ss]

Originally Posted by Sieg

Would this get the job done?


Charlie would you buy either for 10 cents on the dollar?

If the wife isn't willing to go to a lot of events, then pick up a used one. Let someone else take the big hit. Use it for a couple years, that way you know exactly what you will want in the future. Then sell it or trade it in for the one you want.

[96z28ss]

Originally Posted by Track Junky

I'd have to see pic's of the options before answering. But being as frugal minded as I am I would go with a trailor that has the living quarters incorporated and by a crew cab dually to tow with.

When the trailer gets to be too long they are a pain in the rear to manuver. The pivot point is just to far forward.

[Lenie]

Sh_tskies, 45 pages about trailers. Greg, here's all you need!

http://youtu.be/j_j7Bsl_Vi8

[GregWeld]

So glad to see everyone struggles with the exact same issues I do!

Too much trailer - or too much length - more trailer less living - more living less trailer.... Ya know what that leads too?? 75' of living quarters and stacker trailer!

One of the biggest things that bothers me with all of this (not the resale by the way - you guys are thinking with YOUR wallets)... is that I like to caravan to shows or "whatever" with others.... and they end up having to get a hotel and I would end up trying to find somewhere to put 75' of crappola for the night. When I started to look at just pulling into a rest stop --- they won't take 75' long! I'd be halfway out into the road!

I had a one car trailer - with living quarters all spec'd out -- and it ended up being 44' long with all manor of compromises.... and my F-350 would barely be capable of hauling it. It got heavy in a hurry with the living quarters - gen set - blah blah blah... and everyone tells me a long trailer is a PITA... thus I started to look at bigger "truck" etc.

The other thing is everyone tells me NOT to get a motorhome with tag trailer - they tow like crap and are underpowered. I don't want to be going over Mt Shasta with my foot to the floor and the thing wheezing...I want a real truck that is MADE FOR hauling stuff.

BTW - SIEG

I've been inside the one you posted... it's 45' long - is beautiful - but when you put even a 24' trailer behind it - guess where you are in length... with the tongue it's right back up to 75'!

So I was trying to get the smaller "toter" --- with the smaller gooseneck - but with a dedicated bedroom area -- and that's where the 24' living quarters comes in. Anything less than that and you're up in the overhead bunk or pulling out the sofa sleeper. No wife along - I'm fine with the overhead bunk... but when Gwen and I looked at them together - she wanted separate bedroom. Whereas I'd throw a mattress on the floor of the trailer and call it good!

So I'm thinking 16' toter as shown (in white pictures posted) and a 2 car 32' stacker with just a little more space for tools and storage etc... and that puts me in the 60' long area

[Musclerodz]

Is there really a difference between 60 and 75 feet when it comes to rolling down the road? I would not think so, big is still big. One of the sport trucks may be better size wise, but not sure they would be any better than your ford with a stacker behind it. Does anyone build a Prevost (or similar sized motor home) with a built in stacker and no trailer? That should get you down to 50ish feet?

[Vegas69]

If I was you, I'd go to a place where people have some real experience vs. all the Monday morning quarterbacks around here.

[intocarss]

Todd is right.

I'd suggest going to a NHRA national event when they come to your town. Every kind of hauler, tow rig and different types of trailers are there. Just walk around and ask opinions. And as far as towing with a Motor home, unless you get a diesel pusher I think you're wasting your $

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by 96z28ss

If the wife isn't willing to go to a lot of events, then pick up a used one.

You know that sentence can be interpreted in 2 ways.

Greg - I am totally NOT surprised at this after spending a little time with Gwen at Thunderhill.... I gotta say I saw this comin.

But in the end you'll get what you want and it sure will be nice to have one that is a helluva lot easier to navigate as you mentioned.

[Roadster Shop]

Greg, I was reading through the last few pages and figured I'ld throw some advice at you. I really don't think that the overall length is an issue with drivability. It is the long wheel base on the truck that creates problems for turning and getting around once you are off the highway. We have a Renegade with the 17' box and a 48' stacker behind it. I think that we are just under 80' bumper to bumper. We have towed smaller trailers with the truck and I didn't see too much of a difference. You will have no problems on the highway, truck stops, rest areas, and just about any car show or track event. Around town is a pain in the arse until you get some good seat time and confidence of what you can get yourself out of. The long wheel base on the truck makes maneuvering difficult and you really have to plan out your route and know what you are doing. Backing into a tight parking spot is tough because the truck takes forever to swing around or get the trailer to change direction. It is a little bit of a pain, but it is definitely worth it in my opinion to go with the toter vs a Sport Chassis or pick up.

As far as the toter home goes, you are going to want the big truck with the big motor. We have a 450 HP cat with a 12 speed auto and going up any decent grade the thing bogs down to 30-40 mph even half loaded. Hitting some of the long pulls through the mountains you can be down to 20 mph for close to an hour. Not fun! Too much truck (power, brakes, towing capacity) is way better than not enough truck. I would definitely get the extra height (insert Greg Weld short joke of choice here) in the bunk of the truck as well. Ours is standard height and if you are laying on your side, you are pinned against the roof. I would do the larger slide out as well. I think ours is a 6' or 7' slide out. I have seen newer trucks with a much larger slide out that really opens the interior and doubles the space.

The toter home is extremely nice going down the road having the fridge, bathroom, couch, tv, microwave, etc... right there. The ride quality and the air ride seats are a huge difference. We also have a F450 dually and smaller gooseneck trailer. You honestly get beat up and worn out on long drives in that. The Renegade is comfortable, you don't get worn out on the long hauls and arrive fresh and ready to go.

On the trailer, I would go big or go home. Trailers and garages are always too small and you always wish you got the larger one after you run out of room way quicker than you thought. Skip the A/C on the trailer. We have turned ours on maybe 5 times in as many years. Definitely get the generator and compressor. E-trac tie down system is a must. An onboard fuel tank for the cars is a cool idea that I want to incorporate into our trailer. If you get a ramp door with an internal lift, make sure to go on the big side with the lift. We have a 4,000 lb lift that struggles to lift 3,500lb cars. I really like the ramp door and internal lift vs the liftgate back door. We have used the lift countless times to work on cars at events. You will lose some upper deck floor space since the lift will not go all the way to the back door like a full upper deck will.

There is my 2 cents. Give me a call or shoot me an email if you have any questions.

-Phil

[96z28ss]

Originally Posted by Flash68

You know that sentence can be interpreted in 2 ways.

Greg - I am totally NOT surprised at this after spending a little time with Gwen at Thunderhill.... I gotta say I saw this comin.

But in the end you'll get what you want and it sure will be nice to have one that is a helluva lot easier to navigate as you mentioned.

well, I didn't mean it the other way.
We all know he isn't going to find a sugar momma like Gwen anywhere else. If it wasn't for Gwen working and making all the money, Greg wouldn't be going to any of these events. Now that she is retired and went to an event, and met a few lat-g guys, she might be looking at getting a job again, or making herself busy when Greg asks her if she wants to come along.