When looking for a horse trailer, there are many features to take into account. One crucial feature is whether the horse trailer will have a gooseneck or bumper pull design. There are several reasons why you might benefit from either type. Let’s compare these two designs to see which will work best for your needs.
Bumper Pull Designs – Good and Bad Points
Bumper pull layouts, also known as tag-along designs, are equestrian trailers that attach to a hitch on the towing vehicle. The trailer simply “tags along” after the towing vehicle and is not a part of the complete vehicle.
Advantages
There are many advantages of bumper pull horse trailers. They usually cost less than a gooseneck trailer. It’s not compulsory to own a pickup truck for hauling the trailer, as a result more people can haul this design of horse trailer with their usual car. Normal turns are often more easy because the tag-along design will go along with the path of your tow vehicle. The storage space required is less for the horsebox as you would for a gooseneck trailer. The trailer does not have to be labelled as a “commercial” vehicle for licensing purposes as the total weight of both the trailer and tow vehicle is regularly below 10,001 pounds.
Negative Points
There are many disadvantages as well. These type of trailers do not present as much space for the dressing/tack room. Some bumper pull horseboxes may not be adequate for towing over two horses as a result of the design of hitch required for the load of the trailer. Also, these designs have a tendency to weave on curvy roads, which can be risky.
Gooseneck Trailers – Advantages and Disadvantages
Gooseneck trailers vary from bumper pull designs in the way they are hitched. The gooseneck is attached from within the hauling 4×4’s bed with a ball and coupler mating. This layout provides a number of benefits. It doesn’t wobble or snake like a bumper trailer is likely to, and pulling is more stable. It provides more area for living space, which can be suitable for camping and long trips. The gooseneck design is easier to reverse up to and line up with the ball while attaching it to your hauling vehicle, because you can see it without problem from the rear window. The gooseneck design is safer without the unease of the trailer becoming detached while travelling anywhere.
Negative Points
There are also a few bad points. Gooseneck designs cost more and are usually bigger so they must be pulled with a 4×4 that is able to handle it. The hitching system is also more expensive for a gooseneck design. Another disadvantage is that while attaching the trailer, you normally have to climb into the load bay of the truck to finish the attachment. Also, you will need to detach your camper top from your 4×4 to pull a gooseneck trailer.
The Right Design For You
Whether you’re considering a bumper pull or gooseneck design, you can go on the internet to check out several designs of each. If you’re on a tight budget, you might consider searching for used horseboxes for sale and horse trailers for sale to find a bargain. Reflect on the plus points and disadvantages of both designs before making a purchase. For more information and horses for sale, visit the Horse and Pony Directory