What kind of trailer was the one that came unhitched? I had one do the same, luckily in a fairly slow area, when went over a bump on the road. I took it to a dealer and he told me this was a notorious problem for them. He told me to find a pin or snap that would fit the little lever that goes over the latch.
I will never own another bumper pull or gooseneck. I’ve been a passenger when both have come loose, more than once. I had a fifth wheel hitch replace the sleeve on my gooseneck. Rides is so much smoother and more secure for horse and people.bplus, so incredibly easy to hook up by myself!
Center of gravity must always be in front of the axles but it STILL matters just how far in front. Every inch rearward even if in front of the axles increases the forces that will cause a trailer to sway. The mechanics are very like a simple pendulum. Increasing the length from the point of attachment to the center of gravity increases the momentum and force at which the pendulum swings back after being disturbed.
[QUOTE=Doctracy;7858481]
What kind of trailer was the one that came unhitched? I had one do the same, luckily in a fairly slow area, when went over a bump on the road. I took it to a dealer and he told me this was a notorious problem for them. He told me to find a pin or snap that would fit the little lever that goes over the latch.
I will never own another bumper pull or gooseneck. I’ve been a passenger when both have come loose, more than once. I had a fifth wheel hitch replace the sleeve on my gooseneck. Rides is so much smoother and more secure for horse and people.bplus, so incredibly easy to hook up by myself![/QUOTE]
I don’t recall the brand, but it was one of the “better” class stock trailers. My SIL has a CDL license and the trailer was hitched at the factory. No "operator error involved!! The weather conditions may have contributed, but were not the cause of the hitch coming off the ball!! Hitting a road bump and the improper balance of the trailer is what forced the hitch off the ball. Over the years I’ve had wayyyy too many friends lose their BP trailers in a variety of situations. We ONLY pull GN trailers…you couldn’t pay me to pull a BP out of my driveway…let alone one with precious horses in it!! JMO!!
[QUOTE=gypsymare;7858962]
Center of gravity must always be in front of the axles but it STILL matters just how far in front. Every inch rearward even if in front of the axles increases the forces that will cause a trailer to sway. The mechanics are very like a simple pendulum. Increasing the length from the point of attachment to the center of gravity increases the momentum and force at which the pendulum swings back after being disturbed.[/QUOTE]
+1
G.
[QUOTE=gypsymare;7858962]
Center of gravity must always be in front of the axles but it STILL matters just how far in front. Every inch rearward even if in front of the axles increases the forces that will cause a trailer to sway. The mechanics are very like a simple pendulum. Increasing the length from the point of attachment to the center of gravity increases the momentum and force at which the pendulum swings back after being disturbed.[/QUOTE]
So this guideline, along with the u-haul video posted previously, applies equally to a GN and/or a BP - Is that correct?
The u-haul video showed a BP. From what all the posters here have said, it seems like there might be more safety “wiggle room” with more weight on the back on a GN, but:
–in certain trailering conditions (high winds, semi’s, bad weather, etc) it is still unsafe.
Not sure if that is exactly correct, just trying to synthesize what various posters have written.
Because your trailer is a GN (gooseneck) you may let him ride in the back half of the trailer. The only issue is unweighting the hitch completely. This is not likely, but if it makes you uncomfortable. Place some weight in the front of the trailer… bales of hay, spare tire, etc. The further forward, the better. And make sure the hitch is locked.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a GN or a BP. GN have better balance to begin with and usually have the CG farther forward, but the laws of physics still apply. Haul with your CG as far forward as possible.
