I am thinking about changing my tow setup from bumper pull to a gooseneck. Has anyone done this before? Interested in pictures and any problems. The fabrication side is not a problem. Interested in hearing from someone who has done this before.
Thanks
2001 Ford F-250 CC 7.3l Diesel
2006 Cedar Creek 31LRLS
Why? Sounds like a lot of work for what? Adding that much length to your rig will make it tough getting around corners, that's like pulling a 40 semi trailer. Just trade across to a fifth wheel if you are having handling problems, but you seem to have a very capable tow vehicle. Oh well, I've seen some interesting custom work out there in my years on the road. Good Luck. Hans
Imagine coming out another 6' from frame. I can load my golf cart, another storage box, and place for generator!! Not to mention, the benefits of towing gooseneck style vs bumper pull sway machine.
jherauf wrote: Imagine coming out another 6' from frame. I can load my golf cart, another storage box, and place for generator!! Not to mention, the benefits of towing gooseneck style vs bumper pull sway machine.
I am no engineer or anything, obviously lol, but I am trying to picture this set up in my mind's eye. A fifth wheel has this set up and works well because the tow bar (or whatever you call the part that hitches to the "fifth wheel in truck bed") is fairly high up. As high as the truck bed. A TT hitch is down lower, to reach the hitch on the truck. It seems to be able to do this the trailer is going to have to either be jacked up higher in front - which leaves the issue with the tires, how will they touch the ground...OR having to build quite a sophistacted bar and hitch system that comes straight out from the hitch of camper then an L shape to come up to bed height, then another straight bar to reach truck bed, then down again to go inside of the hitch.
It does sound very complicated. If you want to carry your generator, install a shelf on the back of your TT. That's fairly easy. And to carry a golf cart, you can do what me and my ex husband did. He loaded the golf cart in the back of the truck first, driving it up on two boards as a ramp, then hitched the camper up. Took him no time at all as he got so used to doing it.
Seems that is a heck of a lot easier than what you are embarking on.
I've seen it done. But most likely you will need to build the new gooseneck frame all the way back to the axles, or at least partway back. The supplemental frame won't need to be as strong as the new gooseneck section, but I would not rely solely on tying into the front of the TT's frame. Essentially, I'd shoot for a 10"-12" tall frame from hitch to axles, depending on expected loading.
Also, don't forget about the trailer axles. If you add enough weight to the trailer, you may need to upgrade those.
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, ~350,000 miles
New Desert Fox in the works!
Yes, it has been done. I have seen them, and I have seen pictures of others.
It might be simpler to just get a gooseneck flatbed that is the size you need, and set your trailer on it, with the axles removed!
I think I would just get a toy-hauler fifth wheel and save a lot of hassle.
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
I'd vote for the toy-hauler fifth wheel.
A custom built trailer, while useful to you, would probably have very little resale value. Most people just don't want to buy something weird somebody built themselves. I don't know if DOTs across the country would give you any trouble or not for having so severely modified a trailer, but I wouldn't want to invite there inspection.
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