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Towing capacity gooseneck vs bp

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barstow
Reg. Feb 2007
Posted 2013-04-19 8:11 AM (#151402)
Subject: Towing capacity gooseneck vs bp


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Location: Maine
I know the towing capacity for my truck based on the manufacturer's recommendation. But it is based on "factory equipped" towing package which includes the Reese Bumper Pull hitch. I called the company to see if they knew if the towing capacity would be greater using a gooseneck hitch instead of the bumper pull. They were stumped and could not figure it out, but were going to call me back. Any ideas here? Thanks!
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hosspuller
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2013-04-19 8:36 AM (#151403 - in reply to #151402)
Subject: RE: Towing capacity gooseneck vs bp


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The towing capacity of your truck is the Gross Combined Weight Rating.  Regardless of BP or GN.  This is the total loaded weight of the truck & trailer combination.  It's a figure that the engineers consider adequate for normal highway speeds.

Remember the photo of a Toyota Tundra towing the space shuttle?  Way more than the GCWR but I could walk faster than their towing speed.

A GN is usually rated for more weight because the BP hitch becomes the limiting factor.  The BP trailer has to be nose heavy or it becomes unstable at speed.  A GN hitch is limited by the carrying capacity of the truck.

Think of trailering as a chain.  The limit is always the weakest link.  Hitch, tires, engine, transmission, brakes, frame, etc.



Edited by hosspuller 2013-04-19 8:38 AM
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barstow
Reg. Feb 2007
Posted 2013-04-19 9:29 AM (#151404 - in reply to #151403)
Subject: RE: Towing capacity gooseneck vs bp


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Thanks for the info hosspuller. I followed you all the way until it says that the GN is "limited by the carrying capacity of the truck." I need "simple" --- If the Towing Capacity is listed at #10,100 should I just go with that regardless of the hitch I use? Also, I assume I need to consider the weight in the bed of my truck. Is this still called the "tongue weight? when talking about a GN? I was told by the truck manufacturer that it is equivalent to 10% of the loaded weight of the trailer. Does that sound right? And that this should not exceed the "payload" capacity of my truck?
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gard
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2013-04-19 10:07 AM (#151405 - in reply to #151402)
Subject: RE: Towing capacity gooseneck vs bp


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When a GN trailer is being used, the truck's load capacity, it's ability to CARRY weight is very important. The rear axle, suspension and tires will have to carry more weight than when a BP trailer is being used. Instead of a tongue weight of aprox 10% with a BP trailer, GN bare dressing rooms are commonly rated at 25%, with GN LQs frequently going up as high as 40% of the trailer's weight.

A truck can carry more weight in its bed, than it can when it's hung onto a rear mounted hitch. The weight is more evenly distributed over its suspension with some of the weight going onto the front suspension. A rear hitch is at the end of a fulcrum, with the rear axle being the pivot point. Most of the weight is directly placed on the most rearward part of the suspension. If you have rear leaf springs, the rear two shackle bolts are carrying most of the loading.

The amount of weight being placed whilst using either type of trailer, will depend upon the trailer's axle placement. Any trailer with an axle located the extreme rearward position will place more weight on its towing vehicle. An axle placed more forward, centralised under the horses and load, will have a much less affect on its hitch weight. With a forward mounted axle, its not unusual to be able to balance a load, particularly on a three horse BP trailer. With some 2H BP ST trailers, the hitch weight can exceed a 3H SL trailer.

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hosspuller
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2013-04-19 10:16 AM (#151406 - in reply to #151404)
Subject: RE: Towing capacity gooseneck vs bp


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Originally written by barstow on 2013-04-19 6:29 AM

Thanks for the info hosspuller. I followed you all the way until it says that the GN is "limited by the carrying capacity of the truck." I need "simple" --- If the Towing Capacity is listed at #10,100 should I just go with that regardless of the hitch I use? Also, I assume I need to consider the weight in the bed of my truck. Is this still called the "tongue weight? when talking about a GN? I was told by the truck manufacturer that it is equivalent to 10% of the loaded weight of the trailer. Does that sound right? And that this should not exceed the "payload" capacity of my truck?

A GN Trailer puts a larger percentage of the trailer weight on the truck than a BP.  This "hitch" weight is set just in front of the rear axle.  The truck sees this weight as payload, just like a sack of cement.  Too many sacks or too much hitch weight overloads the tires, frame, axles, etc.

The 10% figure is the "rule of thumb" for the weight a BP puts on the hitch.  A similar rule for GN says 20%

If the tow capacity is listed as 10,100 pounds, this is meaning a base model truck.  It's calculated from the GCWR.  Every pound each option (power windows, extended cab, a/c, radio, etc) weighs reduces the 10,100 number.  Even passengers since the driver is assumed to weigh 150#.

Remember the "chain"10,100 pounds of trailer capacity is reduced by everything in the truck. (the GN hitch weighs about 100#)  Then the axles must not be overloaded by the trailers hitch weight.  That's the payload limit.

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barstow
Reg. Feb 2007
Posted 2013-04-19 12:29 PM (#151412 - in reply to #151406)
Subject: RE: Towing capacity gooseneck vs bp


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Location: Maine
Thank you for your kind and patience responses while I try to sort this out. According to my owner's manual the GCWR is 16000# and the TWR is 9700# with the towing package - Basically, can you tell me what I can safely pull with this truck? I was hoping to upgrade from a smallish 2-horse Trail-et Westwind GN to something with a modest living quarters/weekender. I am beginning to think it's probably not possible unless I upgrade the truck.
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goz63
Reg. Dec 2011
Posted 2013-04-19 7:21 PM (#151423 - in reply to #151402)
Subject: RE: Towing capacity gooseneck vs bp



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Can you give us the truck you are using to pull with? If we had that information, you can look up those numbers.
Even with having the manufacturers numbers, you still have to be careful. One of the things many forget is, just because you can move it doesn't mean you can stop it.
Post what you drive and we can probably get a more detailed answer.
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barstow
Reg. Feb 2007
Posted 2013-04-19 8:09 PM (#151425 - in reply to #151423)
Subject: RE: Towing capacity gooseneck vs bp


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Posts: 243
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Location: Maine
2012 Tundra double cab, 6.5 foot bed, 5.7L 6-spd automatic. Tow package includes 4.3 rear axle ratio, supplemental transmission and engine oil coolers. New brake controller (forget the brand, but it's a decent one). According to the last person I spoke to at Toyota, the GCWR is rated for is 16000lbs. The truck weighs 5460# (curb weight) Payload rated to 1620# - which would allow for 8900 for trailer and cargo (horses). Am I figuring this right?
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PaulChristenson
Reg. Jan 2007
Posted 2013-04-20 1:56 AM (#151430 - in reply to #151402)
Subject: RE: Towing capacity gooseneck vs bp


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http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-trailer-weight-tt.shtml
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barstow
Reg. Feb 2007
Posted 2013-04-20 6:11 AM (#151432 - in reply to #151430)
Subject: RE: Towing capacity gooseneck vs bp


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Posts: 243
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Location: Maine
Thanks Paul - That worked great!
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