A gooseneck trailer actually gets its name from its hitch, which is highlighted by a long, arched “neck” section at the front. The unique coupler is designed to clear a pickup’s (closed) tailgate, and it connects to a ball (inside the bed) for a frame-mounted hitch that is positioned over the rear axle.
Gooseneck trailers can be much longer, wider, and heavier than most bumper-pull units, which allows them to carry more weight (upward of 30,000 pounds) without compromising stability. They’re typically used for commercial purposes such as hot-shot vehicle towing, agriculture, horse/livestock transporting, etc. They’re the go-to trailer on the diesel dragracing scene, in most instances capable of supporting two full-size pickups on a 40-foot deck.
When compared to its similar-but-different counterpart, a fifth-wheel trailer (hitch is mounted inside the bed), a gooseneck is less expensive and ultimately much less intrusive, affording owners more space in the bed for cargo.
Here are a few pros and cons about gooseneck trailers:
Pros
- Not too invasive
- Bed remains functional
- Easy hook up and operation
Cons
- Installing hitch requires drilling a big hole in the bed
- Can be noisy
- Not as stable as a fifth-wheel trailer
Taken from Motortend article here.
