Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

When comparing gooseneck trailers, make sure to look at the way the gooseneck 
hitch is connected to the trailer.   You want to see the "I" beams radiating back 
from the gooseneck hitch all the way back to the trailer box.   The less expensive 
(and some "same price") trailers use a standard bulldog hitch applied to a plate 
which is then welded to the bottom of the gooseneck.

What happens the hitch and plate option if your rig stops short?   (This can 
happen if you are, say, driving along a dirt road into a ride camp and get into 
sand.)   The trailer can rip loose from the hitch.   If that happens, the gooseneck 
will hit the cab of your truck.    If *that* happens...

Sundowner uses "I" beams back from the hitch to the trailer box.   Kiefer (and 
atleast one other "top" brand) uses the welded plate to the bottom of the 
gooseneck.   That's how they got the cost down, and that alone steered me 
away from Kiefer.   Sundowner also powder coats the entire hitch assembly 
and "I" beams in their factory.   

The difference in price between comparable trailers made by Sundowner and 
Kiefer was about $2K.   That's $2K well spent to me.   Pllus, you get a lot more 
for your $2K... like the floors now being sprayed under the mats.   Just FYI, not 
that I've been able to afford my bare bones Sundowner yet...

Kathy Myers
in Santa Fe, NM