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Trailer debate -- please help me!

3K views 15 replies 10 participants last post by  farmpony84 
#1 ·
So we're currently in the market for a better trailer. We live in Va. and we own one horse who goes places on average about once a month.

Here's the situation. There are two fairly nice trailers within our state that are the same price... the only difference is that one is a 3 horse gooseneck slant with an 8 ft. awning and A/C and heat. You can see the listing here.

The other trailer is 4 years newer and is a 2 horse straight load with a tack room. Bumper pull. Nothing much else to get excited about, but it's a very nice trailer, and the exact trailer I have always thought would be perfect for our needs. A friend of mine once owned the same kind of trailer and they were very satisfied (not to mention they actually made money on the re-sale) with it. You can see the listing here.

The dilemma is this: we really don't need a three horse slant gooseneck. It's large, difficult to maintain, and we only have one horse who stays at home for the majority of the year. It just isn't practical to our needs. The 2 horse bumper pull however, is exactly what we need. It's sturdy, small enough to manage, but large enough to accommodate the horse, and with me in college, I can only foresee a decrease in my horse's annual travel.

Still, how can we pass up the opportunity of the 3 horse? When we started this shopping quest I never thought we'd be looking at 3 horse Sundowner gooseneck's with 10 ft. dressing rooms and 8 ft. awnings. Not to mention the A/C unit. It's a really nice trailer, and it's the same price as the 2 horse bumper pull...

Both are Sundowner, so there's nothing to debate there. The only real difference is this:

Do we sacrifice the manageability and practicality of a 2 horse bumper pull for the amenities of a nicer, larger trailer, or do we stick with the 2 horse, keep the practicality intact, but pass by an opportunity that we likely won't see again?

I hope you look at both of the listings and read all about them. Also, please vote and respond. I trust your judgement, and I hope it helps me out.
 
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#2 ·
I would think that dragging around a 3 horse gooseneck would burn up more gas than a 2 horse bumper as well - this might influence your decision?
I would be very tempted to get the 3 horse gooseneck - but that's because I am an impulse buyer and would probably be very tempted to get the "fancier" one juse cause they're the same price.
In the grand scheme of things though, I'd suggest getting the bumper pull.


ETA: I just looked at both of them again, and I have to change my mind about one thing - I like the 2 horse bumper pull more, I'd get it, not the gooseneck.
 
#3 ·
The bumper pull sounds like less hassle for the amount you will use it and i think all the frills of the gooseneck since it is older are things just waiting to break....... I agree that the bumperpull would save on gas and would be easier to tug around... it sounds like it fits you better..... also, idk if you insure your trailers, but i would say that the insurance payments on it would be less in the case that you do....
 
#5 ·
Gooseneck! The bells and whistles are nice, but my main reason would be the increased stability you get. If you don't live (or drive) in mountainous country, its not such a big deal...but even on rainy, slick roads, it can be pretty nice to have.
 
#6 ·
tim said:
JustDressageIt said:
ETA: I just looked at both of them again, and I have to change my mind about one thing - I like the 2 horse bumper pull more,
Any specific reason?
1) It looks to be in better condition
2) looks more space-practical
3) save on gas
4) no gooseneck attachment
5) hehe I have no idea.. I was just "attracted" to it more....
 
#7 ·
Honestly, i would go with the 3 horse goose neck, my grandmother has a trailer a lot like that one and is MORE then happy with it. and i personally think that a slant is a lot safer then a straight load. i feel like my horse could get injured easier, like they don't have enough room to move, but thats an OPINION not a fact.
plus, having extra room gives you the option to have someone pay you to take their horse to a show you're going to, or a trail ride, things like that. almost like carpooling. maybe call it horse pooling? haha
well, my opinion is that the three horse goose neck would be a better decision. =]
 
#9 ·
I'm little suspicious about the price on 3-horse one. I live in area and it indeed is cheap. And it's not that old either. And I really like that it's "slant", not "straight".

If you camp a lot, I'd say go with the 3-horse (because of the living area). If not, better go with 2-horse (as said it's smaller, newer, and will save you some gas).
 
#10 ·
I think there are several things to concider. What are you pulling it with, and how hot does it get where you travel? If it doesn't get that hot and you don't want to have a vehicle with a 5th wheel hitch in the bed, go for the bumper pull. Its going to take a much larger vehicle to pull that 3 horse too. The bumper pull you could use a larger SUV or 1/2 ton truck. The gooseneck, you will have to have a larger truck with the hitch in the bed. Thats a personal thing with me as I like to keep a topper/cap on my truck bed.
Bumper pulls are easier to turn corners with. A gooseneck is easier to back up. You have to swing really wide with the gooseneck because of the pivot. The bumper pull pretty much tracks behind the vehicle.
They both have load lights I noticed. Pretty nice when you get home late and its pitch dark. I noticed the gooseneck ony had 1, you might ask what happened to the other one. A canopy is pretty nice on those hot sunny days but you could always add one to the bumper pull.
I think the resale would be easier on the bumper pull. More people are looking for that type of entry level trailer than the larger ones.
Its really a a tough call :? If your just using the trailer to get from point A to point B, get the bumper pull. If you hang out at the trailer a lot and want someplace to take a nap or get out of the elements get the gooseneck.
A good weight distribution hitch and or sway bar will take care of any handling problems with the bumper pull.
The back end of mine is exactly like the BP shown. I like being able to close the ramp and leave the top and front windows open for the horses. When its hot they get a nice breeze that way.
Just a tip, if you get the bumper pull make sure you re-do the latch on the ramp before putting it down. If you don't the weight of the horses will really mess up the latch :)
 
#11 ·
Thanks everyone. :)

As for the truck question, that is another small issue. We have a Dodge 3500 but it has no gooseneck hitch installed. If we decided on the 3 horse, we'd have to shell out another $600 or so for the modification.

In Virginia, the temp's are fickle. I've been to shows that start off raining in the morning, turn into a nice breezy perfect day on the way to the show grounds, and once it's time to ride, it feels like it's 110 degrees. We've put up with a bumper-pull for several years by now, so while we are used to sitting in the sun (or rain) the most tantalizing feature of the gooseneck is the canopy. However, like Vida pointed out, that can be added to the bumper-pull later on if we desire it.

The only other thing to consider is the storage. We could keep the bumper pull at our house but the gooseneck is too big. It's conceivable that I could keep it where I work, but that would add another forty minutes to our drive because it's in the opposite direction of my horse.

It's looking good for the bumper-pull at this point.
 
#12 ·
It sounds as though the bumper pull is what you are looking for and the goosneck grabbed you with its bling. If you're looking at spending the money to upgrade to for the hitch you might as well go for the bumper pull and spend the hitch money on an awning.

I personally like the bumper pull more. But I am an uber practical shopper. I almost never get more than what I need. Especially if you have room for the BP and not for the GN @ home.

Either one would be really nice. I was thinking at first that you never know when you'll need more room ( helping out a stranded horseman when their trailer has problems etc.) BUT...you'll already have that if you only haul one horse.

Sounds like the BP will work for ya just fine.

Happy Hunting! 8)
 
#13 ·
tim said:
Thanks everyone. :)

As for the truck question, that is another small issue. We have a Dodge 3500 but it has no gooseneck hitch installed. If we decided on the 3 horse, we'd have to shell out another $600 or so for the modification.

In Virginia, the temp's are fickle. I've been to shows that start off raining in the morning, turn into a nice breezy perfect day on the way to the show grounds, and once it's time to ride, it feels like it's 110 degrees. We've put up with a bumper-pull for several years by now, so while we are used to sitting in the sun (or rain) the most tantalizing feature of the gooseneck is the canopy. However, like Vida pointed out, that can be added to the bumper-pull later on if we desire it.

The only other thing to consider is the storage. We could keep the bumper pull at our house but the gooseneck is too big. It's conceivable that I could keep it where I work, but that would add another forty minutes to our drive because it's in the opposite direction of my horse.

It's looking good for the bumper-pull at this point.

after reading this, i have changed my mind. you should go with the bumper pull. its obviously more convienient.

maybe you should look around a little more before you make a final decision. its not like these are the ONLY two trailers in the world!
 
#14 ·
Yes, we've decided to forget all about anything larger than a 2 horse. If we find one that's a gooseneck then so be it, but we wont be getting anything larger than that.

Ill let you know what we get once we've decided on it.

Thanks everyone.
 
#16 ·
I'm in VA too. I have a four horse slant load goose-neck with a huge dressing room, A/C, and an awning. I do have 6 horses at home, however I only show ONE! At first I thought the huge trailer was overkill but i have loaded up my friends on several occassions. I had a 2 horse bumper pull first, I LOVE the goose-neck. the maneuverability is awesome. You do have to get the hitch, BUT if you get one that is recessed, you dont loose your bed space. I also like the way my older horses ride in the slant load, it's easier for them to balance in it. We've also taken our Rhino with us to the bigger shows so that we can have a horse and a rhino to get from point a to b... (i.e. lexington)

the heater is nice in the winter and the A/C is AWESOME in the summer. I will say it gets messier becuase everyone under the sun wants to change in it. The awning is a must have for summer time, I also plug a fan into it and hang it form the awning so we can cool off between classes. BUT, the shows I go to last all day, if you are only there for a few hours, no big. One great thing about a goose-neck is that you can put an air mattress in the front and use it for camping. ALSO, not as many people have the hitch so less people ask to borrow it... I hate that... can I borrow your trailer??? NO!

I don't like the ramps though... but not for any reasons that would hold up in a debate, just don't like ramps.

So... that's my 2 cents....
 
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