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Looking for a livestock or horse trailer? Unable to decide between the Gooseneck and Bumper Pull trailer? It seems like bumper pull has won the argument, that’s why you came here to know more about them. We would say, Good Choice.
It is not that we have anything against the Gooseneck trailers, it’s just we like Bumper Pull more for different aspects. For some horse owners, having a livestock trailer is as necessary as a horse saddle. It’s a huge investment, therefore, most buyers find it difficult to choose the right one. Even hours of research do not help make them the right decision.
Modern trailers are quite different from the conventional ones with many advancements and user-friendly options.
A buyer has a lot to consider when shopping such as construction materials, flooring, slant load, or straight load but often the decision comes to the hitch type; Gooseneck or Bumper Pull.
There is no one sure way to know which one is the best as it depends entirely on the buyer’s requirements. Most buyers opt for Bumper Pull owing to the affordability, therefore, we decided to enlighten our reader with all the information we got about this Bumper Pull horse trailer.
Before we head to tell you about the Bumper Pull Trailer, the buying decision should be done alone as per your requirements. It is a huge investment, so, think it through, ask experts before finalizing an option.
Bumper Pull
Bumper Pull is a broad term, therefore, it should not just be associated with being a farm trailer. Most travelers mold it to be an RV or a trailer best suited for traveling. As you know, selecting the right trailer is more than ensuring a stable ride for the livestock.
Bumper Pull is a common type of hitch, or, in simple words, a way to attach the trailer to a vehicle. The procedure and the term itself may confuse many potential buyers as it does not connect to the tow vehicle’s bumper.
This type of trailer is attached through a ball hitch on the back bumper of a truck, SUV, or motorhome.
Bumper Pull is also referred to as drag or tagalong trailers which attach to a ball or post hitch that sticks out from under the back bumper of the truck. It is the most type of farm trailer that you may have often seen on the roads. Bumper Pull trailers come in a wide variety of lengths and widths ensuring feasibility for different horse owners.
Bumper Pull Trailer Cost
If you have chosen the Bumper Pull trailer to be your go-to trailer, you would be happy to know that it is an affordable option when seen in comparison with Gooseneck trailers. If you buy a used trailer, you would be paying even less.
A brand new Bumper Pull trailer may about more or less $20,000 to 30,000. However, if you would happily settle for older models or used trailers, you may get a good deal around $4,000 to $15,000.However, you can rent a livestock trailer cheap.
The reason Bumper Pull is cheaper than Gooseneck trailers is that they are smaller in size and lighter in weight.
If purchasing cost is a predominant deciding factor in your decision then you would surely want to purchase a Bumper Pull Trailer. However, if the trailer has heavier loads to pull and heavy-duty work to perform then the Gooseneck trailer is your best bet.
Shape
If you have not seen it already, you may want to know how it looks, all things aside it looks good on the road with a rounded front or a v-nose. The said feature is the only thing that sets it apart from most trailers, other than that, it has a general rectangular shape of an enclosed cargo trailer.
Size
Size can make or break a deal as some owners either need a smaller or bigger trailer for transporting livestock. Most buyers opting for a Bumper Pull Trailer want to know about the length and width of these trailers.
They would be relieved to know that these trailers come in different sizes, a buyer can purchase the one as per his needs. Gooseneck trailers are quite large starting from 22′ and going up to full-daddy, 52′ in length. Bumper pull is smaller as compared to the giant gooseneck trailers.
The smallest size of the Bumper Pull Trailer is the ever-popular 6×12 single axle. Most Bumper Pull trailers come in different lengths of 12’, 16’, and 20′. Available in 6’7” or 7′ width with height options of 5’3″, 6’6″ or 7′. We hope if the trailer size is your concern, this would have brought you some clarity. (Source)
Weight
Being lighter and smaller in size, Bumper Pull weighs less than most trailers. Most Bumper Pull trailers are believed to not exceed 10,001 lbs in weight. It is a common-style trailer with a reasonable weight that is easier to work with. This weight limit also assures that you would not run up against the laws that govern commercial hauling. (Source)
Towing Ability
Because of the small size and weight, you would not have to hire a truck or any big vehicle to tow Bumper Pull Trailers. Any small pickups, SUVs, trucks, or certain types of vehicles with towing capacity and hitch installed can handle Bumper Pull Trailers. The reason why bumper trailer does not need big trucks is that they are lightweight and restricted to carrying lighter loads only.
Stability
To ensure a stable ride, perfect weight distribution should be your way to go for the Bumper Pull Trailer. In order to avoid the trailer to sway or wobble behind the towing vehicle, make sure the weight is distributed evenly for smooth, level rides.
Weight distribution setup becomes crucial when the loaded trailer is more than half the weight of the vehicle. You may want to know how to distribute weight evenly, it is simple, by following the weight distribution system.
The procedure may confuse you at first, but, here’s how it goes, it is a triangular arrangement that connects to the bumper hitch and attaches to a trailer hitch receiver with two points which is then attached to the trailer.
You may have heard that the Bumper Pull trailer rides are not as smooth as Gooseneck. It is true to some extent but with perfect weight distribution, one can enjoy a stable ride.
Weight Carrying Capacity
If your decision of buying a trailer is solely based on payload capacity, then, Bumper Pull may not fit the bill, buy a Gooseneck trailer instead, if the budget allows. Because of the hitch placement and smaller size, it would be foolish to expect a Bumper Pull trailer to carry tons of loads. However, it carries a reasonable amount of weight easily without affecting the ride stability.
Pros & Cons of Buying a Bumper Pull Trailer
Now that you know enough about the shape, size, weight, towing ability, ride stability, and weight carrying capacity, we would like to let you know about the pros and cons of having a Bumper Pull Trailer. Before you finalize the decision, we would want to give you more clarity with these advantages and disadvantages of buying such a trailer. Let’s start with the advantages
Pros
- An owner does not have to buy a big truck to pull, any vehicle with sufficient power would do. Even some cars can tow a Bumper Pull Trailer. This makes it easy for owners as they do not have to look for a specific vehicle every time they go on a ride.
- These Bumper Pull Trailers are lighter in weight, both on the pocketbook and the towing vehicle. These trailers are carefully engineered to be reasonably long to improve aerodynamics.
- One safety feature that is loved by many drivers and makes them feel comfortable and safe while driving Bumper Pull trailer is that they are not so wide which translates to seeing traffic from either side easily.
- This common style of the trailer is less intimidating to work with and perfect for novices and people who have bought or owned it as their first trailer. It is a perfect stepping stone to handling big trailers someday. It also costs less, so, a win-win situation.
Cons
- A buyer can not achieve the peace and stability of a Gooseneck, it may sway and the rides are usually bumpy. Weight distributing hitches and anti-sway bars can somewhat improve the riding experience and add stability. However, the rides still not be as level and smooth as some other big trailers.
- One other aspect of this livestock trailer that can be a deal-breaker for many is the limitations of carrying lighter weights. Even the extensive standard Bumper Pull Trailers can haul no more than four horses and lack living quarter and tack area.
In a nutshell, each trailer comes with its sets of advantages and disadvantages, no one can tell which one is better, some may be expensive whereas others are less facilitated. The decision is then left on the buyer’s requirements alone, what is he looking for. No one-size-fits-all trailer exists when it comes to hauling horses. A buyer would be selecting Something extensive that can carry substantial weight if there are a huge number of horses to haul. If the number just stands at two or four, the Bumper Pull trailer would be your best bet in terms of quality and price.
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