OK.. see if you can answer this one... trailers..

[Moostang]

Why is it that livestock are goosenecks (ball in bed of truck)and travel trailers and such are 5th wheels (that large setup in the bed of truck). I know they are two different types.. but you would think they would switch over to one of the other. I still have yet to see a horse trailer as a 5th wheel or travel trailer as a gooseneck..
Is there some kind or handling issue I don't know about?

[MissBandit]

I've seen plenty of horse trailers that were 5th wheel /gooseneck.

[Moostang]

Originally Posted by MissBandit

I've seen plenty of horse trailers that were 5th wheel /gooseneck.

5th wheel and gooseneck are two different things. We personally have a gooseneck. But the hookups are different.

[72'CaminoKid]

all i know about 5th wheels is that due to the fact that they take the weight of the load and place it on the back axel instead of behind it, it adds for better ability to pull, and also makes it easier to steer (esp in reverse).... it seems to me that the gooseneck would do the same, not sure though. also, some gooseneck connectors can be pulled up and flipped over, so no room is takin up in the truck bed while not pulling the trailer, and i know that the 5th wheel set-up is more compromising of space..... it seems to me that the commercial stuff would be 5th wheel, and the standard stuff would be gooseneck.... but to my knowledge, it's other wise

[Moostang]

The gooseneck is the same for weight, right over the axle. But not everyone has the option to flip the ball over (we do) but some people just have a plate welded in the middle of the bed.

5th wheels are seen in big rigs and campers/travel trailers. Goosenecks seem to be for livestock (even if living quarters are included)

So.. I am not the only one puzzled

[72'CaminoKid]

my uncle owns a plumbing company, and they have aflat-bed gooseneck used for hauling one of the tractors.... just another use of them

[Moostang]

I think the only type of trailer I have seen both ways would be car trailers (the type for 2-3 cars)

[390FE]

Is it a weight issue thing. Campers are heavy and usually larget than livestock trailors.

I think the goosneck might also be to limit the bounce of the trailor for the livestock. With a bumper hitch the trailor can prety much bounce indipendantly front and back and make a see-saw affect inside. I beleve putting the weight over the axles will limit the bounce to just the rear.

I really don't know, just trying to apply high school science (tad bit of physics) to the issue.

It might even be to allow more weight to be to the rear of the trailor. On a bumper mount car trailor if the motor is put over the rear of the trailor it will tend to bounce and sway left to right at a high enough speed, which is still pretty slow. Almost lost a truck once (my truck on trailor and buddy's truck towing) doing just under 55 on the highway with my truck backed onto the trailor.

[72'CaminoKid]

well, both the gooseneck and 5th wheel have advantages over the bumper tow, or even hitch tow.... but we're mainly tryin to figure out why goosenecks are used for some things, and 5th wheels for others...... i'm with ya on the high school scinece.... i'm in AP physics all year

[Moostang]

For those who don't know the difference or have any idea what I am talking about
Here is the hitch for a gooseneck (sometimes you see just the ball part)

Here is a gooseneck trailer


Here is the hitch for a 5th wheel
This is a 5th wheel trailer