Thinking of going from 3/4 ton with GN to 1/2 ton with BP for hauling. Will I hate it?

[ToTheNines]

For years I’ve hauled with a 3/4 ton Chevy and a Featherlite 2 horse GN. I almost always only haul one horse.

But it’s getting time to upgrade both the truck and the trailer and I don’t want to pay for a 3/4 ton truck if I can help it. Yikes, they are expensive!!! But if I get a 1/2 ton, that means no more GN trailer.

Will I hate the difference if I switch from the my current rig (3/4 ton and GN) to a 1/2 ton and bumper pull? The truck would be a 5.7 Toyota Tundra and the trailer a 4Star Runabout 2 horse BP.

[event4r]

I have a GN and have for years, I would never go back to a BP. My first trailer was a BP we pulled behind our SUV. BP make me nervous as I don’t feel they are as secure. For truck always remember its better to have too much power (both breaks and go) than not enough.

[PNWjumper]

I towed a 3H BP behind a half ton truck for 5(ish?) years. Actually, I never had an issue with the truck or the trailer, so “can” you do it? Pretty easily (though configuration/specs of the truck are, of course, super important).

But I moved to a 1T truck when the lease on our 1/2 ton expired. And then to a 4H GN a few years ago, and then to a 1T dually. Having gone through that process, I don’t think I could ever go back to hauling a BP!

[Katy9532]

I have a BP I pull behind me 3/4 ton. My 1/2 ton handled the trailer just fine, even with 2 horses… but Gah! I hate the BP! I want to upgrade to a GN so bad, but my DH won’t justify the upgrade.

[Jarpur]

With the “right” half-ton truck, it’s possible to tow a smallish (big enough for a couple of average-sized horses) gooseneck trailer; there are a few of us here on CoTH doing it.

I’m not hauling that much these days – not that far or that often – but it works fine for me. I also wanted to step down from the big truck and the large trailer now that I’m only towing occasionally, and only one or two horses.

Another choice would be a European-type trailer; I towed a Brenderup with a SUV for several years, before returning to a (lighter) truck and a (smaller) gooseneck trailer – mine is a combo stock.

[candyappy]

Why can’t you pull your current trailer with a 1/2 ton?

[cutter99]

My first truck and trailer were a half ton with a bumper pull trailer about 25 years ago. I went to a 3/4 ton and gooseneck about 20 years ago, and am now driving a dually with either a 16’ stock trailer or a 3 horse LQ trailer.

I will NEVER go back to a bumper pull. BUT, that is MY preference. YOU need to do what works for YOU!

[Rackonteur]

@ToTheNines

For years I’ve hauled with a 3/4 ton Chevy and a Featherlite 2 horse GN. I almost always only haul one horse.

But it’s getting time to upgrade both the truck and the trailer and I don’t want to pay for a 3/4 ton truck if I can help it. Yikes, they are expensive!!! But if I get a 1/2 ton, that means no more GN trailer.

Will I hate the difference if I switch from the my current rig (3/4 ton and GN) to a 1/2 ton and bumper pull? The truck would be a 5.7 Toyota Tundra and the trailer a 4Star Runabout 2 horse BP.

Going from a 3/4 ton to a 1/2 ton is not an upgrade, it’s a downgrade. The 4Star website calls the Runabout an “entry-level” trailer, so that wouldn’t be an upgrade, either, from your Featherlite. Why do you want to change? Have you gotten a smaller horse?

[Rackonteur]

@Katy9532

I have a BP I pull behind me 3/4 ton. My 1/2 ton handled the trailer just fine, even with 2 horses… but Gah! I hate the BP! I want to upgrade to a GN so bad, but my DH won’t justify the upgrade.

Not even for your safety?

[DMK]

Funny, I now know 3 people who - after decades of pulling GN (2+1) with big trucks - all decided they were done with it and downsized to a BP and have not regretted it.

But everyone has different needs at different points in their life, so I would just weigh out the pros and cons.

Also, one of them ended up driving halfway across the country to deliver a horse in the BP and said it was no harder than when she made the same trip in the GN (it’s Hattie, maybe she will chime in). That said, hers is an 8’0 wide BP, and having just switched from the normal width to 8’0 BP… maybe it is our imagination, but they do seem to pull with a lot more stability than the 6’9-11’ ones (also, we have room for our carriages in front so the horses are truly centered over the axles. I’m sure that also contributes to tow stability.)

[Mango20]

I pulled a BP with a 3/4 ton for about 20 years and never had any issues doing it. Two years ago, I got my first gooseneck. The only thing that is WAY better is pulling it on the highway. It’s so much more stable than the BP. I think I could go back to a BP without regretting it forever (but I have no plans to).

[Texarkana]

I don’t have a GN, but I went from pulling my BP with an older 3/4 ton to a new, well equipped 1/2 ton. It felt like an upgrade to me. Their published towing capacities were almost the same thanks to improved technologies. (Although now I’m sure someone will chime in to say towing capacities are bullocks).

I’m sure you already realize this, but 1/2 ton trucks are not created equal. You really need to pay attention to the specs. Most models range in towing capacity from 4,000lbs to 10,000+lbs depending on wheelbase, transmission, engine options, differential, tow package upgrades, etc. I honestly think it’s because of experiences with the former end of the range that so many COTHers argue against them.

[Bluey]

We pull GNs and BPs all the time with our F150 properly equiped to haul trailers.

Have never pulled with any other, so can’t say but that, for our needs, mostly pulling 16’ stock trailers, we have never needed any other and we have made some days long hauls also.

Ideally you should pull with as much pickup as you can.
If you haul correctly for the weight and conditions, you can, like many here have done for decades, be safe with the right 1/2 ton and correctly sized trailer, if GN or BP.

[SonnysMom]

@Rackonteur

Not even for your safety?

Bumper pulls are plenty safe.

[spotnnotfarm]

I had a BP and loved it. However, I haul pretty long distances so I found a GN suits me better. I think it depends on where you haul. If I was still just trail riding and hauling to our local parks, a BP would be fine. I do love my GN and do not myself going back though.

[tabula_rashah]

I got rid of my BP about 20 years ago and switched to a GN. Occasionally I drive a BP for one reason or another and am reminded how I never want to own one again

[Madhouse]

We have both - 3 horse BP on a F150 and a 3 horse living-quarters GN on a 3/4T Diesel.

I’ve done Interstate speeds with both - both are capable - the 3/4T is safer by far. The stopping and starting capabilities are so much better with the big truck - you can adjust to the flow/stop-and-go traffic better.

Short trips to the trails - the F150 and BP work just fine and is plenty stable/safe… And there is a significant cost savings both on purchase and maintenance.

It really depends with how you are going to use it.

[16_Hands]

After having BPs for years I upgraded to a 3 horse gooseneck and have not regretted a day. It pulls like a dream (with my 3/4 ton dodge with the cummins diesel) and is so much more stable especially when going over mountain passes where there are gusty winds. Plus I can camp in it. Next step is a weekender lq.

[PaddockWood]

If you go BP I highly recommend having an anti-sway device welded on your trailer. After years of hauling without one, finally got that done and now no matter the wind or semi’s I don’t feel a thing. Much safer.

[CorazonLock]

I can see why you would want to downgrade if you’re pulling with a 3/4 ton gas - terrible gas mileage lol in comparison to a half ton, which of course still isn’t great. Honestly though, I love having that extra pulling power. And above posters are right - not all trucks created equal. And the half tons of today can pull a lot more than older ones. And I of course had an older one. And now have an older 3/4 ton lol.

If you are looking at diesel though, you could switch to gas. Despite the mileage being very sad, gas is quite comparable. They’re cheaper to maintain, and they don’t gel up on you. Plus, gas is cheaper right now than diesel to buy. Is it obnoxious to always be buying gas? Yep. But was it a much cheaper solution upfront? Yep.

I only drive a BP, and I’ve done a gooseneck once. Gooseneck pulled a lot easier, but with a small bumper pull, if you aren’t great at backing, you can turn around quite tightly depending on setup. I agree with getting the stability device installed for wind. I don’t have one and it’s a pain when it’s windy and those big trucks think they need to fly by you. Also take into consideration how much tack area you need and if you’ll ever sleep in your trailer.