Hi there! My wife and I are pretty close to pulling the trigger on a new-to-us horse trailer. We're tired of borrowing my relative's old stock trailer, and are looking at a few options. I prefer a gooseneck for the stability. Our issue is this: We have 1500s.

My wife has a 2002 Ram 1500 4x4 4.7 w/factory tow. Shortbox.

I have a 1999 Ram 1500 4x4 5.9 w/o factory tow. (I can get it set up tho). Shortbox.


The trailer we are looking at is either a 3 horse slant load or a 2 horse straight load with a small living quarters. We would only be pulling with two horses in the trailer. I'm aware that neither vehicle are ideal for this. We wouldn't be using this combo for longer than 300 miles trips through mostly flat prairie. Maybe half a dozen times a year. In the next year or so the plan is to upgrade or add a 3/4 ton or 1 ton diesel.

I was thinking that we'd put the gooseneck hitch in the '02 as it drives nicer, has more room, and is usually more reliable. Plus it has the factory tow package. I have a SuperChips programmer that can be installed in either truck as needed.

What are your thoughts or suggestions? Anyone have any experience with a gooseneck on either? Thanks!

 

How much does the trailer weigh when it is fully loaded? I think that is going to be the deciding factor..... Need to have a look at tow ratings of both trucks..... Not sure the 4.7 is gonna have the torque you need to get things rollin'. A heavier duty truck with an oil burner would most certainly be the hot ticket.

 

On either truck I don't see go as being a problem, it would be stopping on both I would worry about, there was someone on here a while ago that had a goose neck hitch so it can be done I would throw some helper springs in and a brake controller so the trailer that I assume has brakes will stop.

 

Tow rig? Check my sig. The PO used it for horse towing before I bought it.

 

I would not consider that nice young lady a horse.

 

But she's leaning on one......

You used the Mustang as a tow rig?? Really?

 

I wonder what those legs are rated for... ^_^

 

My only warning with towing a gooseneck with a shortbox is.. WATCH YOUR BACK WINDOW!!!!!

I can't even count the number of people that I know who have busted out their back windows because of a shortbox and gooseneck combo. Granted it's semi preventable If you pay attention when your backing up. However, not the case if your hauling in snow and for whatever reason, jackknife, or in my case, driving a truck without the power to make it up a slick hill and end up sliding backwards. Surley you can picture that back windows fate.

 

Your truck will pull a 16-20foot aluminum dovetail trailer just fine Get some bags and take off

 

My buddy and Girlfriends brother both have short beds and said this helps a lot
http://mrtruck.net/popup.htm