Hello

I have a 98.5 24V extended cab 3500 dually 5 spd with the 3.54 gears. I just sold my open car trailer and am in the market for a used enclosed car hauler.

I averaged 14-16 mpg while towing my open trailer (with 3500lb car on it). What can I expect with an enclosed? Will I have trouble pulling an enclosed (5000lbs plus the car)?

Also, people I talk to seem to like goosenecks solely for their turning radius - what else are the advantages to me? Similar length trailers seem to go $2000 more for goosenecks vs. tags (on average based on my shopping so far).

Any advice or links would be appreciated. Thank you.

Rami

 

Manueverability

is one of the main advantages of a gooseneck trailer, however, since you are hauling cars, well it would be up your alley even more so to get one, because it better distributes the weight that you are hauling over the entire rear frame of the truck, not just on your hitch as a tag trailer would. This just makes it easier on the suspension and makes the vehicle more stable as well as able to tow such weight much easier.

An enclosed trailer will be slightly less aerodynamic, with your truck, you should be able to pull it no problem, but you might wish you had the 4.10 gears if you are gonna tow more often, i have 3.54 gears and dont like them much for towing, but on the highway they are nice. 8500 lbs of total weight is nothing for these cummins rams... itll be alright..

Tx

 

With 8500, you will be fine with either a tag or a GN/5th. If you do a lot of long distance towing or towing where you will need to manuver in and out of tight areas, the GN/5th will be better because they are easier to turn and back with. If you do less frequent towing locally, a tag would be fine. 8500lbs is nothing for a dually (even a single for that matter) It would be wise to invest in a weight distributing and sway control system for your trailer if you go the route of getting a tag. makes the trailer handle much easier. Also, if you dont already have a good brake controller, installing one of those is key.


Welcome to the site, Good luck, and happy towing.

--Trey

 

You will see about 2mpg with the GN over the BP for the same size box and weight,the BP trailer is out of the draft of the truck cab,GN trailer is just inside the draft of the cab,I have pulled both and I found the difference is 2mpg at 65-70 mph.The faster you go the bigger the spread.At $2000. difference in cost that would equate to 666 gal at $3.00/gal for 7992 mi at 12mi/gal.If you pulling a lot of miles the GN is the way to go.

 

I would agree with all that. I have noticed that many people get better or the same milage as me but the are pulling big GN's or 5'ers, and i tow a 24' toyhauler.

 

Thank you for the information. Its a tough decision when you haven't done it before and I'm glad there are people out there that can share their experiences. Right now, the top trailers for me were a 26 ft. tag and a 32 foot GN. Price difference is about $2500 higher for the GN but with the gas savings I could get, would pay for itself with as much driving as I do.

I didn't think of the "in the draft" vs "out of the draft" wind drag. Makes sense though.

Rami

 

If you get a tag, you may want to consider a hi-top fiberglass topper for the bed! That will help air flow around the tag to reduce drag and help mileage. It also provides secure and out-of-the-weather extra storage, especially when you don't have the trailer hooked up!

 

I have just purchased a 24' enclosed Horton Hauler tag with extra height and the 'V Nose'. Will pick it up on Monday and use to haul poinsettias for the next five weeks. Added the beaver tail in case I want to haul cars. Anyone pulled a 'V Nose'?

 

My GN is 36 feet long and the stability is great.Other than the drain on HP. you can forget it's there. You hardly feel the wind off the big trucks when they pass you.I had a tire let go on the trailer and didn't know it till I saw the smoke from it.I'd get another one definately.

 

We have a Millenium 8'x'8'x22' V nose enclosed car hauler. No problems pulling it. Running between 65-70mph weighing in about 7k lbs I get about 12mpg.

MikeyB

 

Goosneck. By far.

Another plus of a gooseneck. The "Trailer Borrowers" wont ask to use it, unless they are already set up for a gooseneck and have a clue.

 

goosenecks all the way.

not only for the manuverabiltiy, but they jsut pull a whole lot better.

 

Someone mentioned stability--I think that is the #1 biggest advantage of a gooseneck. Manuverablity, parking and backing are nice, but going down the road, you know that the GN is going to track right with you, not be all over the road.