Gooseneck questions - Diesel Forum

Foxx · 12-23-2006, 11:36 PM

Hey all. I have a few wquestions about gooseneck trailers. I've towed a 10,000 pound TT for years, but never a gooseneck. My wife and I are about to buy a house and some property, which may include an H&H brand 30' gooseneck trailer. I know it's almost impossible to appraise a trailer sight unseen, but what could I expect the seller to want for a used, average tandem axle gooseneck? It's a deck over, with two 3500 pound axles if I had to guess, didnt really get to look at it much. The tail lights are mounted in the fold- down ramps off the dovetail. I'm guessing 2500- 3000 would be about top dollar for it, am I close or way off base?

Next, where's the best place or best brand gooseneck hitch to put in my truck? I dont forsee needing to tow the trailer too often, but I cant afford 1,000 bucks for a B&W Turnover ball, even though I'd love one. What would an average gooseneck hitch run me, and where would I go to get one? I know an RV dealer would probably be more than happy to sell me one and install it, but I'm leary of having them install anything that's so critical in my truck. I used to have one on my old '64 F-350, but it was a pieve of C channel welded to the framerails with a hole drilled in it for a ball. Are there bolt in versions currently available? I'm a mechanic by trade, so I'd feel comfortable installing one myself if I can bolt it in, but I dont trust my welding enough to strap a trailer onto it and head down the interstate.

Many thanks in advance for any help y'all could provide.

Fishmanndotcom · 12-24-2006, 12:35 AM

its a deck over g/n with only 3500 lb a piece axles? that doesnt sound right. i built mine sorta light duty and threw a pair of 6000lb dexters both with brakes under mine. i am used to seeing deck overs having axles about 10K or more capacity.

if thats true about the load rating of the axles then i'd say your price is about right, 3000 being top dollar for a trailer that has been well loved for

i know ppl discourage against it but i dont haul equipment or anything super heavy so i went to tractor supply company and bought a flip up ball from reese i believe. i have LOVED the hell outta it. i cant lose the ball but when i am not using it, i can fold it away! cost me about $250 for the hitch and frame kit and i did the labor. its not hard at all. i pulled the bed off and it took me maybe 2 hours by myself!

just my $.02

-cutts-

NickKent · 12-24-2006, 12:58 AM

If the deck is 30' than 3500 lbs axles are too light. I can't see H&H building a trailer that size and only putting those axles on it. But maybe they did. I'd say you are close on the price. How old is the trailer?

Foxx · 12-24-2006, 11:35 AM

I may be totally wrong on the axles, I really didnt get a close look. As far as age, I'd say maybe 10 years? The lady showing us the house wasnt even sure if it the trailer is included, so she really couldnt tell us much about it. They probably are heavier axles than that, because they had dual tires on each side. Now I'm think the trailer may be worth 7,000 or more because I looked at H&H's website last night and it looks like this trailer may have cost 11,000 or so new.

LMJD · 12-24-2006, 12:12 PM

I agree with the other guys, I bet one that long has heavier axles. The one in my pics has two 7000 lb. axles, and it's a 20 ft. deck. As far as cost, what few I found for sale were beat up pieces of crap and the owners wanted within 500-300 bucks less than a brand new one. If it gives you an idea, mine was right at $3400 new, no dovetail ramps, but slide out ramps, dual landing gear, expanded metal tool box, left side step and hand hold, lots of extras. I was really surprised when I went down to pick it up. I see on your last post, it's a dual tandem. You're right, that jumps the price way up there. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

85351ho · 12-25-2006, 08:24 PM

if its a dual tandem your probably looking at 10k axles

Flywheel · 12-25-2006, 08:31 PM

If the trailer is a DUAL WHEEL tandem - , it is prolly rated for 18-20K gvw - this is your $8k-$12k trailer - new.

If the trailer is a SINGLE WHEEL tandem - it is prolly a 14K GVW going for 6 - 10 NEW (H&H) These trailers run $4k - $6k from other companies - I believe H&H is on the higher priced side.

But it's pretty easy to tell by the single or tandem wheel. Many folks are going to eh single wheel to avoid getting pulled over by DOT - they see a daul tandem and truck - and they start thinking 26,000GVWR and CDL - another topic.

As far as the hitch goes - check Valley Vet for the B&W and install yourself - $300.

If you need a hand - PM me.

NickKent · 12-25-2006, 09:25 PM

If I was selling a house I wouldn't throw in a H&H trailer with it.

Foxx · 12-25-2006, 10:26 PM

FlyWheel, I really appreciate the heads up on the B&W. I think that's the option I'll be going for.

NickKent, usually I'd agree. But we're looking at a house on about 50 acres that an elderly lady and her husband bought that they expected to retire on. Unfortunately, her husband passed away before they retired and moved. There's an old Ford tractor, a bunch of implements, a gooseneck horse trailer, and the flatbed. The impression I get is that the widow just really doesnt want to mess with any of it, but at the same time she has a general idea of what things are worth and doesnt want to get taken for a ride, either. If it comes down to leaving all the 'stuff' with the house for an extra five or six thousand, or taking it all and selling it seperately for an extra ten or fifteen thousand (I dont know what the stuff is worth, these numbers are just for example) she'll sell the equipment seperately, which is fine. My wife and I are just concerned about buying the house and the land, and we dont care enough about the equipment to let that become a deal breaker if she wants to sell it elsewhere.

Ag__Teacher · 12-26-2006, 09:38 AM

Take the equipment. If you're buying 50 acres you're going to need a tractor.

Foxx · 12-26-2006, 10:36 PM

Well, I actually have a '48 Ford 8N sitting back home at my parent's house that I'm planning to bring up. The 600 model would be a little nicer, but the old N series would get the job done just as well.

Down South · 12-31-2006, 04:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Take the equipment. If you're buying 50 acres you're going to need a tractor.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's right. You are going to need a tractor and equipment if that is pasture or farm land. Now if most of is timber then that may be a different story.

On edit: Woops, I missed the part about the 8N.

j_apetersen · 01-01-2007, 10:04 AM

Foxx not knowing the year it is really hard to say the price. But it probly has 2 10000 axles. If you will give 2500to 3000 for that trailer their are a few people around here that have a few to sell. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif[/img]it is proble worth about 1000 at the most.

Foxx · 01-01-2007, 01:41 PM

Well guys, after a little more investigating it turns out that the trailer belongs to the property owner's son and is not included with the land. So, here in a few months I may be trailer shopping.

As far as the tractor and implements go, we're sending a response to their counter offer back tommorrow that says we'll accept it if they leave the equipment. We'll see.