I now wouldn't dream of pulling with anything less than a pickup truck. If
you plan to pull more than 2 horses buy a 3/4 ton.
The ball that must be fitted into the truck bed so as to connect the
gooseneck,can be mounted on a plate that flips over and disapears upside
down, flush with the box. This means no large bridging to install (tussle
with) each time you want to hook up (the other common means by which the
gooseneck is attached) and the flip-over-ball leaves the truck bed
completely free for other uses. Do not believe the salesperson when s/he
says the bridging system is easy to take in and out. The flip-ball is MUCH
easier.
Economizing with a small truck engine is a mistake if hauling is to be a
fair part of the truck's purpose. You need the power to pull on the hils
without taxing the engine or gearing down ridiculously low and possibly
slowing all the other traffic.
And finally, if one can afford it, a 4 wheel drive is wonderful! In our
area it is almost a necessity (snow, mud, loose gravel). If you get a 4
wheel drive you will wonder how you survived before it.
Ann