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KTNC 12-17-2012 14:02:43 70.192.4.112 Report to Moderator	I have a chance to buy a 20 ft gooseneck (16 deck with w/4 dovetail) weighs 3200 unladen. However, my truck is an 04 F150, 5.5 bed, supercrew. Will be towing Farmall M. Thoughts on the truck being able to tow this? Anyone else towing a GN w/ a half ton? Thanks [Reply]   [No Email]
Ken Macfarlane 01-17-2013 08:10:44 142.166.168.2 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to KTNC, 12-17-2012 14:02:43   It depends on the tow package, some are like 6000 lb on a light axle. Some have the heavier rear axle and rate up over 11,500. Its more than just the axle too as the frame gauge and tensile strength of the steel differs. [Reply]  [No Email]
VicS 12-20-2012 19:26:08 70.195.1.227 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to KTNC, 12-17-2012 14:02:43   I pulled for years with a F250 6cyl. One of those light duty ones, rear axle had 8 lugs but not a floater. The bearing rollers rode directly on the axle. Ane it was held in with a C-clip. Two new axles later, and I put a full floater from a heavy duty in it. Bought a 03-F250 Super duty. Now this is a trailer puller. The tail doesn"t wag the dog. But a New F150 eco-boost sure is tempting, is rated to pull 11500. That is a little more than my Super duty. But the rear axle is the same as my old light duty that didn"t take it. Vic [Reply]  [No Email]
mkirsch 12-19-2012 08:15:36 64.80.110.74 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to KTNC, 12-17-2012 14:02:43   Here is a shopping list for what you will need to add to the truck: 1. 4.10 axle ratio. 2. Helper springs and/or airbags for the rear axle. 3. LT E-rated tires all around. 4. 80 PSI rated rims. Whenever you talk to someone who hauls heavy with a 15-series truck, aka a 1/2 ton, you will find that these items have been added to the truck. Have you ever towed anything heavy before? [Reply]  [No Email]
d beatty 12-19-2012 10:04:17 50.151.124.6 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to mkirsch, 12-19-2012 08:15:36   I have a 97 GMC K 1500 that came from factory all that equipment on it. The only thing I changed was I took the 10,000 lb. hitch off and installed a class 5 16,000LB. hitch, 20,000lb. shank and 25,000lb.ball. It has no problem handling a 24 foot 14k low profile deckover with a 7,000lb load. [Reply]  [No Email]
cd1 12-19-2012 06:43:45 67.234.196.64 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to KTNC, 12-17-2012 14:02:43   Food for thought, there are many single wheel f350's pulling 20K goosnecks, Now that I do not agree with. But it's generally accepted you can hook a 20K trailer to a 12K gvw F350/450 dually and be safe and legal. So how far of a stretch is it really to picture a 10K trailer behind a 7000+gvw truck? I would not put 10k bumper pull behind an F150, but gooseneck I wouldn't get too excited. [Reply]  [No Email]
showcrop 12-19-2012 06:16:05 75.67.231.80 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to KTNC, 12-17-2012 14:02:43   You can judge by how much the tire squats, how it pulls up a hill, or how it "feels" going down the road but the acid test is, when someone pulls out in front of you, who is going to be sleeping in your house in another year? [Reply]  [No Email]
M Nut 12-19-2012 04:15:49 50.107.36.214 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to KTNC, 12-17-2012 14:02:43   I pull my 20+5 gooseneck with a 1/2 ton chevrolet from time to time, but my 3/4 ton handles it much better. With the 1/2, it always feels like too much trailer for the truck. With the 3/4, it feels like too much truck for the trailer, and I'd prefer it to be that way! For occasional towing you will likely be fine. If using on a regular basis, may want to reconsider...... [Reply]  [No Email]
PaOliver Puller 12-18-2012 12:24:27 75.146.71.89 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to KTNC, 12-17-2012 14:02:43   I have a similar setup however, there are ALOT of extras on my truck. I didn't have the means or ability to own two trucks and my company provides me with a 1/2 Ton so that's what I have to work with. I have a 2011 Ram 1500, 5.7 with 392 ratio, legally I am allowed 10,500. I tow a GN trailer with it often and I tow everything from a 26' enclosed to a 16+4' GN deckover. However, ALL my trailers are liscensed at 9,990 to avoid combination plates and I never haul anything that would put me over 9k. Yes the truck should have more than enough ummph to pull the trailer. However, as mentioned suspension will be a concern. Get a set of good airbags and this will help solve that trouble. Also good tires on the truck and brakes are crucial. On top of that I have updated the brakes to electric/hydraulic on all my trailers for extra braking. Finally, you have to watch the weight 3200 unladen on a goosneck, maybe if its alumninum. But I highly doubt that its a correct weight. My 16+4 Appalachian 10K Gn weighs in at 4,000 empty from the factory. I have changed the floor out to expanded aluminum from a wooden deck and I am down to 3700#. So then you add on a 6000# tractor, chains and binders and you are over 10,000#. I do not know about the 04, but the new trucks do have a pretty high rating depending on factory options you can see anything from 6800# to 11,200# again depends on options and manufacturer. So assuming you have at least 10k you could possibly be legal. But in PA over 10k and you now need combination plates. So all in all, you might be better to find A) a bigger truck. or B) if that's not an option perhaps a tag trailer with sway bars would work since the trailer would have a light unladen weight and let you stay legal. This is all just one man's opinion and ultimately it comes down to what is safe, legal, and what you can feel comfortable with. Good Luck! [Reply]  [No Email]
soundguy 12-18-2012 11:40:05 173.104.97.1 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to KTNC, 12-17-2012 14:02:43   Like iowajohn, I too towed with a 1500 dodge for many years ( many years too long ). i did gn and bumper pull. M's are pretty big. I don't have one but do have an H. I't's not an ideal feel.. I think you will run out odf suspension.. though the gn is better than bumper. After years of white knucleing it.. i sold my 98 dodge and bought a 99 ford 350. much better towing... safer.. etc.. [Reply]  [No Email]
IowaJohn 12-17-2012 21:26:42 207.199.239.168 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to KTNC, 12-17-2012 14:02:43   Pulled my 20-5 gooseneck for 8 years with a Dodge 1500 and never felt safe. Loaded I had plenty of power but no spring,lousy handling and you need a long distance stopping it. Pretty much wore out the truck. I"ve gone to a 2500 heavy duty Dodge, feel alot safer. JMHO [Reply]  [No Email]
S2710 12-17-2012 15:32:27 98.143.227.89 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to KTNC, 12-17-2012 14:02:43   I hauled my M for years with a F150 and had no problems. I had a bumper hitch 16 ft. deck over with a 4 ft beaver. The gooseneck would be better because it would take some of the wag out of the trailer. I would still be useing the F150 but it got totaled out. (no fault of the tractor or trailer) I did replace it with a F250. Tractor data says shipping weight on a M is 4858 Ballested is 6770. So yes your 150 will haul but if you get a different pickup you should go bigger. Bob [Reply]  [No Email]
BruceS. 12-17-2012 14:27:43 76.15.9.205 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to KTNC, 12-17-2012 14:02:43   I'll just say that I've gone that route with 150's and tractor towing. They are inadequate and unsafe due to lack of weight, soft springing, and small brakes. Your M is at least a 6000 lb. machine. Add that to your trailer, tiedowns, etc. and you're well over 9000lbs; too much for a 150 IMHO. You need a 250 as a minimum tow vehicle, preferably a 350. Been there, done that. [Reply]  [No Email]
cd1 12-18-2012 09:49:52 67.234.196.64 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to BruceS., 12-17-2012 14:27:43   you need a 1 ton truck to tow 10K worth of gooseneck? yea OK. If his trailer is light like he says it is and not a 5000LB empty weight, he will probably do pretty good. Much better with the gooseneck than a bumper pull. If you are wearing out your truck brakes and think you can't stop, then you need to learn how to use and adjust your trailer brakes. [Reply]  [No Email]
Sako 12-17-2012 15:10:52 98.219.213.176 Report to Moderator	Re: Gooseneck in reply to BruceS., 12-17-2012 14:27:43   X2 The 150 may have the umph to make it go but safely controlling and stopping in a hurry can be a big issue... [Reply]  [No Email]