Gooseneck research

[42FarmallMatt]

Okay gang,

Welcoming all opinions.

I'm starting to research for a gooseneck trailer to put 2 antiques on. I will keep my one equipment trailer to haul my model A when it's done but prefer something that can accommodate 2 tractors for parades/shows and the occasional broke down pickup truck for a friend. I like the idea of pierced frame cross members and full width ramps, But can anyone recommend a good brand. I'm walking back and forth between Kaufman, Sure-Trac, and Diamond T. Don't want to go above 15k on price but also have tobdraw the line on purchasing a trailer that will mostly sit through the year. Currently running the gas 2500 ram I have but may upgrade to a diesel 3500 in the next 3 years. All input is greatly appreciated.

 

[DRussell]

Okay gang,

Welcoming all opinions.

I'm starting to research for a gooseneck trailer to put 2 antiques on. I will keep my one equipment trailer to haul my model A when it's done but prefer something that can accommodate 2 tractors for parades/shows and the occasional broke down pickup truck for a friend. I like the idea of pierced frame cross members and full width ramps, But can anyone recommend a good brand. I'm walking back and forth between Kaufman, Sure-Trac, and Diamond T. Don't want to go above 15k on price but also have tobdraw the line on purchasing a trailer that will mostly sit through the year. Currently running the gas 2500 ram I have but may upgrade to a diesel 3500 in the next 3 years. All input is greatly appreciated.

Kaufmans are lightly built in my opinion, but there are a lot of them on the road, probably in part because they are also cheaper to buy.
Diamond T used to be great, not so much more recently.
No personal knowledge of Sure-Trac.

Check out Buckeye Trailer near Salem, Ohio. They build a good one.

I own a Cam Superline. Bought it used, it's been perfectly adequate for me.

Look for one that was painted rather than powder coated.

 

[caterpillar guy]

So your looking for a 20-25 foot long trailer deck. The pierced frame with the cross members had been around for a long time in the semi trailer business with no ill effects to the frame. Mine is like that with 12 inch spacing on the cross members. Never had a problem with ability to carry weight and it has been over loaded a few times. As for a brand I would not know for sure. I know there are some Big tex trailers around the area along with the Legend ,load/trail ,Iron Bull ,lamar and diamond C trailers are all sold by a local dealer . I know of a couple Gator trailers and the one guy swears by them. Other than that I can't say. I would though go with a fifth wheel hook up rather than a goose the fifth you can slide the neck into the plate to hitch and no chains needed here from what I understand. The ball you have to be almost perfect to hitch up. I guess it also has to do with driving and owning semis for the last 30 years. I like the double jacks on them with a 2 spd gearbox on the crank to lift and lower them. Pull handle out an inch for the higher speed and push it in for the lower speed. Again probably just me. I would also want the plate ahead of the rear axle about an inch or so. I'm probably wrong on all of it compared to most. I use the round pin plugs also. From the old semi plug use.

 

[Welding man]

Okay gang,

Welcoming all opinions.

I'm starting to research for a gooseneck trailer to put 2 antiques on. I will keep my one equipment trailer to haul my model A when it's done but prefer something that can accommodate 2 tractors for parades/shows and the occasional broke down pickup truck for a friend. I like the idea of pierced frame cross members and full width ramps, But can anyone recommend a good brand. I'm walking back and forth between Kaufman, Sure-Trac, and Diamond T. Don't want to go above 15k on price but also have tobdraw the line on purchasing a trailer that will mostly sit through the year. Currently running the gas 2500 ram I have but may upgrade to a diesel 3500 in the next 3 years. All input is greatly appreciated.

If you want a top of the Line trailer buy a GATOR. SureTrac is Good and I don't know about Diamont T. Lots of Good trailer out ther but watch for Chinese axles and crappy wiring. Personally I am going to buy a Kaufman, 26 ft tilt-bed with the front half fixed and the rear that tilts. I also haul two tractors to pulls and I am getting too old to fool with a set of ramps. Prices start at 7690.00 for this trailer.

 

[showcrop]

Wen I was shopping twenty years ago Kaufman seemed to be very good. Pierced frame is a very worthwhile option simply because it brings the deck down lower. Try to get paint instead of powder coat if you plant to keep it over five years. You can get pulled over for spilling your load at the rate the powder coat peels off going down the road.

 

[Crookedwrench]

Okay gang,

Welcoming all opinions.

I'm starting to research for a gooseneck trailer to put 2 antiques on. I will keep my one equipment trailer to haul my model A when it's done but prefer something that can accommodate 2 tractors for parades/shows and the occasional broke down pickup truck for a friend. I like the idea of pierced frame cross members and full width ramps, But can anyone recommend a good brand. I'm walking back and forth between Kaufman, Sure-Trac, and Diamond T. Don't want to go above 15k on price but also have tobdraw the line on purchasing a trailer that will mostly sit through the year. Currently running the gas 2500 ram I have but may upgrade to a diesel 3500 in the next 3 years. All input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Crookedwrench]

Okay gang,

Welcoming all opinions.

I'm starting to research for a gooseneck trailer to put 2 antiques on. I will keep my one equipment trailer to haul my model A when it's done but prefer something that can accommodate 2 tractors for parades/shows and the occasional broke down pickup truck for a friend. I like the idea of pierced frame cross members and full width ramps, But can anyone recommend a good brand. I'm walking back and forth between Kaufman, Sure-Trac, and Diamond T. Don't want to go above 15k on price but also have tobdraw the line on purchasing a trailer that will mostly sit through the year. Currently running the gas 2500 ram I have but may upgrade to a diesel 3500 in the next 3 years. All input is greatly appreciated.

Okay gang,

Welcoming all opinions.

I'm starting to research for a gooseneck trailer to put 2 antiques on. I will keep my one equipment trailer to haul my model A when it's done but prefer something that can accommodate 2 tractors for parades/shows and the occasional broke down pickup truck for a friend. I like the idea of pierced frame cross members and full width ramps, But can anyone recommend a good brand. I'm walking back and forth between Kaufman, Sure-Trac, and Diamond T. Don't want to go above 15k on price but also have tobdraw the line on purchasing a trailer that will mostly sit through the year. Currently running the gas 2500 ram I have but may upgrade to a diesel 3500 in the next 3 years. All input is greatly appreciated.

Okay gang,

Welcoming all opinions.

I'm starting to research for a gooseneck trailer to put 2 antiques on. I will keep my one equipment trailer to haul my model A when it's done but prefer something that can accommodate 2 tractors for parades/shows and the occasional broke down pickup truck for a friend. I like the idea of pierced frame cross members and full width ramps, But can anyone recommend a good brand. I'm walking back and forth between Kaufman, Sure-Trac, and Diamond T. Don't want to go above 15k on price but also have tobdraw the line on purchasing a trailer that will mostly sit through the year. Currently running the gas 2500 ram I have but may upgrade to a diesel 3500 in the next 3 years. All input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Crookedwrench]

I have been happy with a SureTrac with 8K axles and full heavy ramps

 

[Welding man]

I have been happy with a SureTrac with 8K axles and full heavy ramps

8000# axles and a 11,000 Tow Vehicle puts me at 27,000# GCW. That is 1000# over CDL. limits. I am not interested in getting into a CDL at my age, just to go tractor pulling. I will have to stay with 7000# axles even though I would love to have a tandem axle dual wheel trailer. More tires and bigger brakes, much safer.

 

[42FarmallMatt]

Let me pick yalls brains a bit further. What would you do if you had a tandem dual wheel gooseneck and a tandem single wheel side by side for only about 500-1000 dollars difference? I have my Class A but am curious is there any other benefit to the dual wheel besides a bit more carrying capacity and possibly more stability?

 

[DRussell]

Let me pick yalls brains a bit further. What would you do if you had a tandem dual wheel gooseneck and a tandem single wheel side by side for only about 500-1000 dollars difference? I have my Class A but am curious is there any other benefit to the dual wheel besides a bit more carrying capacity and possibly more stability?

It would depend on what axles are under the single wheel.

My tandem dual wheel trailer is much smoother running down the road than my tandem single wheel. Going over a pothole one of the duals usually doesn't go down in the pothole, hence the smoother ride.

Also, if one tire goes flat in a set of duals, you can usually keep going and make it back home or to somewhere to get it repaired as the other 3 tires on that side are enough to handle the load for a short term.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

8000# axles and a 11,000 Tow Vehicle puts me at 27,000# GCW. That is 1000# over CDL. limits. I am not interested in getting into a CDL at my age, just to go tractor pulling. I will have to stay with 7000# axles even though I would love to have a tandem axle dual wheel trailer. More tires and bigger brakes, much safer.

Out of all of my trailers I've only registered one at its rated GVWR. NY will let you register a trailer for whatever weight you're willing to pay for. Both of my trailers with 7000# axles are registered for 10000#. My 3500 dually pickup is also registered for 10000# to keep me out of DOT and CDL territory.

I eventually want to upgrade to a gooseneck and when I do I may well get 10000# axles and register it for 14000#. For sure I'm going with at least 8000# axles.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Let me pick yalls brains a bit further. What would you do if you had a tandem dual wheel gooseneck and a tandem single wheel side by side for only about 500-1000 dollars difference? I have my Class A but am curious is there any other benefit to the dual wheel besides a bit more carrying capacity and possibly more stability?

I always thought the commercial oil bath axles were a bit more dependable and durable than the "RV" axles. With 7000lb axles, at 7001lbs, you're bending something.

 

[Smalltowner]

Okay gang,

Welcoming all opinions.

I'm starting to research for a gooseneck trailer to put 2 antiques on. I will keep my one equipment trailer to haul my model A when it's done but prefer something that can accommodate 2 tractors for parades/shows and the occasional broke down pickup truck for a friend. I like the idea of pierced frame cross members and full width ramps, But can anyone recommend a good brand. I'm walking back and forth between Kaufman, Sure-Trac, and Diamond T. Don't want to go above 15k on price but also have tobdraw the line on purchasing a trailer that will mostly sit through the year. Currently running the gas 2500 ram I have but may upgrade to a diesel 3500 in the next 3 years. All input is greatly appreciated.

I’ve got one for sale down in Grand Prairie, Texas. Practically new and a bargain. Reply if interested, 18k with 2 spares, tarps, clean title.

 

[flying belgian]

Kaufmans are lightly built in my opinion, but there are a lot of them on the road, probably in part because they are also cheaper to buy.
Diamond T used to be great, not so much more recently.
No personal knowledge of Sure-Trac.

Check out Buckeye Trailer near Salem, Ohio. They build a good one.

I own a Cam Superline. Bought it used, it's been perfectly adequate for me.

Look for one that was painted rather than powder coated.

Can I ask why paint versus powder?

 

[DRussell]

Can I ask why paint versus powder?

If the powder coat gets scratched or damaged it will allow rust to run along the steel underneath the powder for a long ways and lift the powder up and allow it to flake away.

If paint is scratched the rust is much more likely to stay localized and not cause paint to flake away several feet away from the damage.

Personally, I like an epoxy primer and then paint. I had a trailer sandblasted, primed and painted several years ago. The paint got some minor damage afterwards when something fell on it and the paint chipped in a couple places down to the primer. The epoxy primer was undamaged and was absolutely rock hard.

 

[Ray,IN]

I wouldn't pass on a 5th wheel trailer; the hitch is stronger and more sure. That''s why most states require safety chains with gooseneck hitches.

 

[john in la]

8000# axles and a 11,000 Tow Vehicle puts me at 27,000# GCW. That is 1000# over CDL. limits. I am not interested in getting into a CDL at my age, just to go tractor pulling. I will have to stay with 7000# axles even though I would love to have a tandem axle dual wheel trailer. More tires and bigger brakes, much safer.

If you buy the trailer new you can put the 8000 lb axles under it and have it derated down to 14999 so you stay under 26000 lbs.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

I wouldn't pass on a 5th wheel trailer; the hitch is stronger and more sure. That''s why most states require safety chains with gooseneck hitches.

I've never understood the whole "infallible" claim of 5th wheel hitches, and why they don't need safety chains.

I've seen plenty of 5th wheels come detached from trucks. Most are due to the driver failing to do a proper "tug test" but you can argue that most gooseneck detachments are due to a lack of due diligence from the driver.

5th wheel is special order for most trailer manufacturers. Drivers seem to prefer the independent movement of a gooseneck, so you can go into areas that are not perfectly flat without twisting the snot out of the truck and/or trailer...

 

[matthies]

If you get folding ramps, try putting them down and back up, some are really heavy and others aren't to bad if they are built with enough spring to help raise and lower. Bought a DC trailer out of South Dakota, 28+5, the ramps sold me alone, but once hooked to truck the frame twists pretty easy. You might want one with a pipe that runs down the center of the trailer to get away from frame flexing so much. Once you hook to truck and jacks are raised, try jumping in either front corner and see how much it flexes.