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Converting a bumperpull to a gooseneck

11K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  NorthernMama 
#1 ·
Hi, I recently bought an older bumperpull 2 horse trailer with living quarters, its ungodly long. It is a very heavy and 7tall trailer. It was a gooseneck trailer at one time and converted, to a bumper pull, I don't get why.

Anyway, the trailer is very heavy on my 3/4 ton truck, it really sinks it down. We use load levelers but I would really like to make it back into a gooseneck again.

The axles were never moved before and are still under the horses, it pulls much nicer and takes some of the weight off the truck when the horses are in it (at least it appears to).

I know I have to take it to a professional to weld, but I need to to know what to get and any difficulties I may run into. I was thinking of finding a junk trailer and cutting the front off, or buying a conversion kit(if they make them). I don't want to spend a huge amount, but I can't afford to buy the trailer of my dreams either. I'm not finding any useful info on the net. Can anyone help?
 
#2 ·
This is a total custom fabrication job. You can not truly prepare for the costs unless you have done this type of work before and even so, you will find things that weren't accounted for. Unless you or family have extensive trailer building experience, I'd just take it to someone who does and see if (s)he is even willing to give a quote on it.
Pics might help. MDH does this kind of stuff. Maybe I can get some ideas from him if we can see it.
 
#3 ·
I don't know how to post pictures on this site. I would have it professionally done but I wanted to find the materials myself for it.

I was told, because of the weight of the trailer on my truck, I could bend the frame of the truck if left as a bumper pull. I find that hard to believe, but I do think it would be better on the truck if the traler was a goodseneck. I have seen trailers that have been changed over, but never a horse trailer.
 
#5 ·
I don't know how to post pictures on this site. I would have it professionally done but I wanted to find the materials myself for it.
If you're not doing the job, why would you supply the materials? More efficient for the fabricator to do it: (s)he has the contacts, the discounts and the knowledge.

I was told, because of the weight of the trailer on my truck, I could bend the frame of the truck if left as a bumper pull. I find that hard to believe, but I do think it would be better on the truck if the traler was a goodseneck. I have seen trailers that have been changed over, but never a horse trailer.
If the weight is not distributed properly over the axle, then yes, you can damage your truck, but long before you damage your truck it is dangerous to haul.

Cherumbeque is right in that this is not for the uninitiated. Hand it over to be modified and certified that it meets MTO or DOT specs, that it is straight and balanced when loaded. It might be an awesome trailer, but if you're going to spend $5000 on modifying it, would it still be worth it to you? That number is just a guess, especially sight unseen, but it won't be cheap to have it done right.

To post pics, go to advanced reply and click on the paperclip. A window will pop up that will allow you to "browse" your computer to upload a picture, or you can click on the hyperlink icon (world with a chainlink) and link to photobucket or something.
 
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