The Pros & Cons of a Trailer Hitch

While a wide variety of options are available to consumers for their horse trailers, there basically are only two types of hitches: tagalong, also called tongue-pull, and gooseneck. A tagalong attaches to the rear bumper of the towing vehicle through the tongue of the trailer, while a gooseneck connects to a hitch in the bed of the truck. Deciding which hitch is best is contingent upon many other factors, including size of the towing vehicle and trailer, but there are some basic pros and cons with each type.

  1. Basics

    • The trailer's hitch system actually comprises the hitch, ball and coupler. In a tagalong trailer, the ball often is bolted to a sturdy metal piece that slides into a sleeve, which is welded to the towing vehicle's frame. The coupler is found on the tongue of the trailer.

      In a gooseneck, the ball is bolted into the bed of the towing vehicle in front of the rear axle. The coupler extends down from the neck of the trailer and is supported by metal gussets on either side.

    Tagalong

    • Tagalong trailers are recommended only for small and medium sized trailers, usually two- or three-horse capacity. Their small size is the biggest advantage, providing ease of hauling, particularly in tight spaces. Only tagalong trailers use slide-in ball hitches, which can have adjustable ball mounts. This provides versatility, allowing the user to haul different trailers.

      Safety becomes an issue for tagalongs as weight and load increase. The use of weight distribution bars can help increase the possible load and cause the trailer to pull more like a gooseneck, but only to a point. Sway can be a problem with tagalongs, especially with crosswinds either due to weather or passing trucks.

    Goosenecks

    • Gooseneck trailers are a must for hauling more than three horses. A gooseneck hitch distributes the weight of the trailer equally over the towing vehicle and the trailer's axles, providing a smoother ride for the horses and more stability for the driver.

      Goosenecks are used for heavy loads by commercial truck drivers. Because of the weight and the fact that a horse trailer load is "active" with the ability to move around during transport, the gooseneck's advantage grows due to its weight distribution.

      The size of a gooseneck also can be a disadvantage. Obviously, the gooseneck itself creates more wind resistance than a tagalong, which pulls behind the towing vehicle. Therefore, goosenecks can cost a driver fuel economy and be a hindrance in inclement weather conditions.