Teach me 5'er/Goose Clearance...

[smitty3500]

Getting ready to upgrade to a 44' Gooseneck Triple axle Race Car Trailer. Team car needs to be hauled to tracks around the US along with mine.



I recall reading in the past about clearance issues with 5'ers and Goose type trailers when 4x4 Rams used to haul?



The 44' trailer when level has 57" from the ground to the bottom of frame. My 04. 5 4x4 with stock tires with wear measures 58" at the rail, between hitch and the tailgate.



Would this setup qualify as one that is going to cause problems. Of course I can raise front of trailer but with a triple axle that likes to eat tires anyway, I would rather not.



What do you guys do with such tight fits? Sorry for another post! Thanks in Advance! :-laf

 

[Wiredawg]

I believe you want 5 to 6 inches clearance level to avoid contact. Even with that, the rear of my 3500 has sctratched the bottom of the 5er a couple of times. We had to flip the axles on my 5er to get required clearance and be level.



Hope this helps.



Wiredawg

 

[JCarlisle]

went through a ditch with less than 12 inches of clearance between tailgate and goose neck. Luckily I had a Backhoe to lift the trailer off of the truck or I would have been missing a tailgate.

Bottom Line the more clearance the better.

 

[WMonroe]

The gooseneck tube on my trailer adjusts up/down to add clearance between the trailer and bedrails or could be used to level the trailer with the truck.

Will

 

[icman95]

When I bought my 5er, I hadn't thought about the clearance, but it was the first thing the dealership checked after we hooked up. Turns out they had to adjust my hitch to get the clearance up to the minimum of 6 inches. I haven't had a problem at that distance. Don't know how to adjust a gooseneck, but I'd imagine there must be some way built in.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Try jacking the trailer up so it would clear the rails by 6", as long as the equalizers on the axles don't run out of travel the tire loading should be ok, with a trailer that long, the front to rear level may still be pretty close. bg

 

[MMeier]

If the trailer hasn't been built yet, check with the manufacturer about raising the neck if possible and/or biulding a subframe between the box itself and the trailer frame. A buddy of mine raised his frame using 2x4 rectangular tube, kept trailer level and he has like 9" of clearance now.

 

[smitty3500]

Try jacking the trailer up so it would clear the rails by 6", as long as the equalizers on the axles don't run out of travel the tire loading should be ok, with a trailer that long, the front to rear level may still be pretty close. bg

I will have to give this a try. I have not had a Gooseneck before so I was not aware how much space is between each hole/notch on the Goose itself. The trailer is a amazing deal! Something I really would not want to miss out on.



Once adding length to the Gooseneck and enough rail clearance is achieved... . Wonder if the truck will sag enough to somewhat level the trailer?



The trailer has been built, hence the un-real price! Damn tall Dodge 4x4's.

 

[BILLVO]

Friend of mine added 4 inch spacer blocks to the suspension of his 5er to get the clearance and to level the trailer. He has an 06 QC 4x4 dually.



He pulls goose neckstock trailers and gooseneck equipment trailers and his box has the corners kinked in on both sides.

 

[smitty3500]

Well, going South this upcoming Tuesday to pick up trailer. This model has the taller tires and 16" rims so I gain an inch or two. Measures about 60" when level. That leaves about 2" of clearance with my truck at stock height.



Just hope I can extend the Goose enough to get 6" minimal for the tow home. Which will be all highway. Once home I am sure I can work something out.

 

[smitty3500]

Well, Picked the trailer up and all went well. Seller was towing it with a 2wd 7. 3 Choke I mean Stroke and had the truck setup with Airbags.



Leaving the Gooseneck at the same lenth gave me close to 12" of Clearance. The trailer was raised in the front but since empty I did not worry about it for the tow home.



I will shorten the Goose a hole and see how it sits then. Down one hole and a car up front should level it out. I hope!



I can say that towing the Gooseneck is night and day from the Tag 30 footer I had. So much more stable! :-laf

 

[WMonroe]

Nice trailer. A little adjustment and you are ready to go. You are correct towing a gooseneck is much more stable and relaxing than a bumper pull.

What does that trailer weigh?

Will

 

[smitty3500]

Trailer empty = 7345lb. Not bad at all. Triple 6k axles. I will only have two cars in it that are less then 2300lbs each.

 

[HBarlow]

That's some long trailer! Looks like you'll need to make an appointment and clear the streets to make a 90* turn in city traffic. Is it legal to tow without overlength permits? Who is the manufacturer?

 

[Grizzly]

Friend of mine added 4 inch spacer blocks to the suspension of his 5er to get the clearance and to level the trailer. He has an 06 QC 4x4 dually.



He pulls goose neckstock trailers and gooseneck equipment trailers and his box has the corners kinked in on both sides.

Tell your friend that adding 4" spacer blocks can be very unstable, which can lead to a dangerous situation in an emergency maneuvers.



It may be better to build a box subframe under the trailer frame to raise the it.

 

[smitty3500]

That's some long trailer! Looks like you'll need to make an appointment and clear the streets to make a 90* turn in city traffic. Is it legal to tow without overlength permits? Who is the manufacturer?

I know the trailer seems long to some. My old trailer was a 28' tag with 4 feet of tounge. That gave me 32 foot of trailer behind the bumper. This trailer has 34' of floor behind the bumper. It is not a Huge difference for me.



The trailer is made by Pace American - High Performance Trailers





I cannot go some places I did with the old trailer and do have to look for "truck" friendly fuel stations.