Posted 2016-07-17 10:40 PM (#167687) Subject: Jackknifing with gooseneck?
New User
Posts: 3
A friend just told me that if your tow vehicle is longer than your trailer, you'll jackknife when you back up.Is this true with goosenecks? (The friend is talking from experience with bumper pulls...)Thanks for any input! :)
Posted 2016-07-18 5:33 AM (#167690 - in reply to #167687) Subject: RE: Jackknifing with gooseneck?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
It's more difficult to jackknife a GN than a BP trailer. You can back at much greater angles with the GN without damaging the hitches or front of the trailers. If the truck's bed is long enough, you can often exceed a 90 degree angle. This is usually unlikely with a BP.
Posted 2016-07-18 9:25 AM (#167693 - in reply to #167687) Subject: RE: Jackknifing with gooseneck?
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Originally written by jgarner on 2016-07-17 12:40 AM
A friend just told me that if your tow vehicle is longer than your trailer, you'll jackknife when you back up.Is this true with goosenecks? (The friend is talking from experience with bumper pulls...)Thanks for any input! :)
I think your friend might need some backing practice. You can jackknife just about anything if you don't know what you are doing and don't pay attention or know your equipment. Shorter trailers are quicker to respond to a tow vehicle (both forward and backward) so they move side to side faster while backing. Longer trailer are slower to respond and turn more slowly while backing as well. Both have pros and cons as well. Short trailer:Con: Any truck with a short trailer can get you in trouble if you don't keep your eyes on where the trailer is and how tight you are turning the truck.Pro: You can with little practice learn to park the shorter trailers in spots you never dreamed possible...like those tiny little cars that can park anywhere. Long trailer:Con: Longer trailers can be more difficult if you aren't watching where the front of your truck is going. The truck moves around more when backing a longer trailer and I've seen people so focused on the trailer they slammed into other rigs with the front of the truck. You must be more aware of the surroundings and know your equipment better IMHO. Pro: Longer trailers seem to be more forgiving while backing and they ride better. You'll make less trips to haul everything and you'll get a little more exercise as you'll be parking farther away.Whatever you have just practice and learn how to handle it. Set some cones up and try backing around them. You'll get into a tight spot somewhere and that practice will pay off!
Jackknifing with gooseneck?
