Kemurphy00

Hey ya'll, just looking for some thoughts and opinions.

I have an '08 F150 XLT 5.4L 4x4, 145 WB, 3.55 Axle ratio, 6.5ft box truck.

I am seriously considering putting in a gooseneck hitch for hauling horses. What are the benefits and drawbacks of these two types of hitches? Does anyone have experience with the B&W gooseneck hitch? What did you think?

Thank you for all comments!

bobkyle2

B&W... is a good hitch... if you have a 5th wheel trailor i would definatly do it.. the 5th wheel allows you to put your weight across the whole truck.. just not on the rear

dhb_f150

The gooseneck hitch will give you better weight distribution, (unless you use a weight distribution style bumper hitch), and better maneuverability over the bumper hitch. Since you said a couple of horses I would say that gooseneck is the only way to go.

Kemurphy00

The trailer will be the next purchase, and most of the horse trailers I have seen are bumperpull or GN. I am curious if there are any significant benefits or drawbacks of putting in a GN . . . . Something that makes it worth the extra expense.

ProZach

if you pull horses more than 4 times a week but still use your truck without it many other times throughout the week then get a bumper style trailer. Goosenecks are a PITA to keep hooking and unhooking more than 3 times a week. Trust me when i say this, my dad has a gooseneck work trailer and is always taking my truck because he doesn't want to unhook his.

ProZach

^^^
also we have a 3 horse bumper trailer that pulls fine with our 2010 f150 5.4 and 2004 f150 5.4

Kemurphy00

The trailer would probably be used no more than twice a month at most, so hooking/unhooking shouldn't be a huge deal. Manuverability and better weight distribution would be a big plus - occasionally we would be hauling in hilly country (north shore of MN, Black Hills, etc) but not frequently. Most hauling will be relatively flat.

What's the towing capacity for the 2010s? My 08 is rated at 8400 max tow and 14000 GCWR. What kind of trailer are you pulling for a three horse?

Thanks!

cmf150

I pull goosenecks EVERY day and it is the only way to go! hooking is no prob. once you do it a few times!

rubbinsracin

I think the GN is by far the best way to tow....however because you said its just a few times a month it might not be the best investment if you plan on hauling to much other stuff in the bed. its a PITA in my opinion to always have to worry about missing it when you are loading stuff in the bed. I use my bed to haul lumber/plywood on a semi regular basis and if i had that hitch in their it would be a PITA the lay OSB or ply on top of it. is there any type of a fold down GN that a guy can get?

VancityKR

I believe B and W makes an awesome fifth wheel/goose neck that you can use both and it just works on a pin where you pull the GN ball out and drop the fifth wheel in and Let the pin go

http://www.turnoverball.com/rv.asp

this is what we use at work to tow goosenecks and R.V.s as well it works excellent and also gives you the versatility of haveing either a GN or a fifth wheel