If you're in the market for a trailer to haul heavy loads with your pickup truck, you may have come across the term gooseneck trailer. But what exactly is a gooseneck trailer, and how can you be sure it’s the right choice for your hot shot trucking needs? This guide gives you all the details on this type of trailer so you understand how it works and what you need to know before investing in new equipment.

Why Is It Called a Gooseneck Trailer?

A gooseneck trailer is defined by its distinctive tongue/frame design that extends over the truck bed, allowing the trailer to carry a much larger load than a conventional trailer. This arched "gooseneck" neck section lets the trailer connect to the truck in a tongue-weight fashion, better distributing the full trailer and cargo weight over the truck's rear axle and suspension.

Why does this matter? If you plan to haul heavy loads as a hot shot trucker or for heavy-duty construction purposes, a gooseneck trailer can handle much greater weight. When properly equipped, it can carry loads well over 14,000 lbs. ¹

The frame design and hitch system allow it to remain extremely stable under that massive trailer tongue weight and high combined load. But the increased hauling capabilities of a true gooseneck come at a cost—they require a specially designed truck to handle the heavy loads and can be pricier.

However, a gooseneck trailer is often an excellent choice for hot shot truckers who need to haul large and heavy loads frequently.

What Makes the Gooseneck Design Unique?

The defining characteristic of a gooseneck trailer is its hitch design. As the name implies, it features a long curved neck section that arches up and over the truck bed.

This "gooseneck" extends forward from the front of the trailer and connects to a ball hitch mounted in the bed of the truck, positioning the trailer tongue weight directly over or slightly in front of the rear axle.

By having the hitch in the truck bed instead of the bumper, the gooseneck design provides a dramatically higher degree of stability and control when towing extremely heavy loads.²

The trailer tongue weight applied directly over the truck's rear axle allows the trailer's full load to be properly distributed and balanced.

Gooseneck Trailer Sizes

The gooseneck design enables trailer manufacturers to build units in absolutely massive sizes to match the increased hauling capabilities. It's common to see gooseneck trailers 30–40 feet long and over 8 feet wide. Some of the largest gooseneck models can even stretch past 50 feet long when fully extended.

This immense size allows for trailers with large cargo beds rated for more than 25,000 lbs. of payload capacity. Combined with the total hauling capacity, it's not uncommon for a properly equipped gooseneck trailer to have a total combined weight rating of over 30,000 lbs. when loaded.¹

These massive size and weight ratings make goosenecks the trailer of choice for commercial and industrial applications requiring heavy hauling. The stability and hauling capabilities simply can't be matched by other trailer designs.

What Are the Truck Requirements for a Gooseneck Trailer?

You'll need a properly equipped tow vehicle to take full advantage of a gooseneck trailer's incredible hauling capabilities. Gooseneck trailers require a pickup truck specifically set up to handle the immense loads.

First and foremost, the truck must have the gooseneck hitch receiver and mounting system installed in the bed. This typically requires cutting a hole in the truck bed floor and welding in a structural hitch assembly to securely mount the vertical hitch ball and support the gooseneck trailer tongue weight directly over the truck's rear axle.

Some truck manufacturers offer gooseneck hitch prep packages from the factory that have all the mounting provisions ready for the hitch installation. However, many trucks will need an upfitter or trailer dealer to install the entire hitch system as an aftermarket accessory.

Beyond the hitch itself, the truck will need a capable chassis, suspension, brakes, and powertrain to handle the immense combined weight of the truck, trailer, and cargo.

The Advantages of Opting for Gooseneck Trailers

The unique gooseneck trailer design offers several key advantages:

• Better Stability: With the trailer tongue weight distributed directly over the rear axle, goosenecks experience far less trailer sway and bucking.
• Higher Weight Ratings: Goosenecks can achieve gross trailer weight ratings over 30,000 lbs. when paired with a capable truck.³
• Better Weight Distribution: Properly distributing the tongue weight over the truck's suspension reduces the risk of trailer sway, jackknifing, and trailer push when towing with an overloaded rear bumper hitch.
• Open Truck Bed: Unlike a fifth-wheel design, the gooseneck setup still fully utilizes the open truck bed for carrying additional cargo or tools.

Are There Drawbacks to Gooseneck Trailers?

There are also some potential drawbacks of the gooseneck design to consider:

• Increased Cost: Gooseneck trailers and hitch installations are more expensive due to the increased engineering complexity.
• Bed Modification: Installing a gooseneck hitch requires cutting a hole in the truck bed, which can impact resale value if not done properly.
• Limited Maneuverability: Goosenecks may have reduced low-speed maneuverability compared to dock-height fifth-wheel connections.⁴ 

Is the Gooseneck Trailer Setup Right for You?

While the upfront costs are higher and the installation is more involved, owning a gooseneck trailer setup starts paying dividends as soon as you need to tow extremely heavy cargo. 

For commercial operators like hot shot truckers, investing in a proper gooseneck trailer and tow rig can mean getting jobs done with fewer trips and less equipment. The time and efficiency savings can quickly offset the higher initial costs—and help you boost your hot shot career as you can accept more jobs and take on bigger loads.

Team Up With ACV Transportation

If you want to take your hot shot trucking business to the next level, teaming up with ACV Transportation is the best way to grow your potential. With ACV Transportation, you can access hundreds of car dealerships nationwide that are transporting cars from dealership to dealership.  

Sign up for our free load board to access an up-to-date stream of hot shot trucking opportunities.

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Sources

1. Jones, KJ. "What Is a Gooseneck Trailer? Insights on the Weird-Looking Heavy Hauler with the Funny Name." MotorTrend, 6 Apr. 2021, www.motortrend.com/how-to/what-is-a-gooseneck-trailer/. Accessed 18 June 2024.
2. Countryside Trailer Sales. "The Benefits of Gooseneck Trailers." Countryside Trailer Sales Blog, 24 May 2021, www.countrysidetrailers.com/blog/the-benefits-of-gooseneck-trailers--35380. Accessed 18 June 2024.
3. Big Tex Trailer World. "Understanding Gooseneck Trailer Hitching Systems: Pros and Cons." Big Tex Trailer World Blog, www.bigtextrailerworld.com/blog/understanding-gooseneck-trailer-hitching-systems-pros-and-cons. Accessed 18 June 2024.
4. DuraMag. "Need-to-Know Towing Facts: Gooseneck vs. Bumper Towing and Trailers." DuraMag Blog, www.duramagbodies.com/blog/need-to-know-towing-facts-gooseneck-vs-bumper-towing-and-trailers. Accessed 18 June 2024.