bumper trailers

We're looking at buying a smaller bumper pull trailer, and have pretty much narrowed it down to 2 choices.  One is a 5' x 14', the other is a 6' x 12'.  The trailers are both WW's, equipped identically (same color even).  The 5' is a brand new '13 model, the 6' is an '09, but barely used, barn kept - like new condition.  The price (asking price anyway) is only $50 difference.  I can see the advantages of the 6' wide in being roomier for bigger framed cattle, though the intention for this trailer is mostly hauling calves anyway (we have 2 goosenecks).  The 5' trailer has the obvious advantages of being brand new, so there are tax advantages, and even though the other one is in great condition, the tires and floor are enough newer that they should last longer.  A new 6' wide trailer would be close to $1000 higher, but I'd still have to think if I did for some reason decide to sell it in the next few years the '13 would be worth more than the '09.  I'm leaning slightly toward the new trailer, but I'm still looking for opinions.  So what I'm asking you is this 1) Is there going to be any noticeable difference in the way the two trailers pull?,  and 2) I've never owned a 5' wide trailer - will I hate it?

I don't think you will like the 5 ft wide trailer very much if you ever have to haul any mature cows or bulls in it.  It would be fine for hauling a few calves.  Also, the resale on the older, 6ft wide trailer may be better than on the newer 5 ft wide trailer since most folks would want a wider trailer.  Good luck either way!

I would defiantly go with the 6ft wide

I have a friend with a five footer..  I loaded it up once, and it was just awkward, seemed to me like I wasn't going to fit anything on it.  The six footer, has about enough extra square footage to hold another square bale...  Think of how many times you said to yourself, I know this last bale can fit on here...  I have quite a bit.

I would think the 5 would be too narrow. You're considering all the right points, and you have valid arguments for going either way, but I think you hit the nail on the head with the last question: "Am I going to hate it?" I think I would always wish i had bought the 6 wide.

Would it be at all possible to pull both trls. B4 you decide with @ least a partial load on? Some bumper hitches trail great & some never do.

When we were showing we had gooseneck to haul steers.  Kids are grown now and I sold goose and bought WW 5x14 to pick up a few steers from Oklahoma each year and bring back to Texas.  Had it probably five years.  Also pulled our FFA 6' wide bumper pull a time or two.  Driving back from OK  with that west wind blowing 30 mph without a doubt I'd recommend the wider trailer.  I think down the road you'll tell yourself, I sure am glad I went this route.  Even new versus used, with the used one in great shape I'd take it every time.  Good Luck.

One other angle not mentioned - what I really wind up using my bumper pull for more than anything is to haul "junk" - ATVs, riding mowers, appliances, etc anytime somebody needs help moving, etc.

Make sure your "junk" would fit in a 5' if you decide you want to go that way.

We bought a 14x5 about 2yrs ago and I don't have any complaints. We bought for the same reasons you have stated. If we need to haul a cow or two, or a few calves it is great. We use ours to haul "junk" as well and have never had an issue with it being to narrow, but like chambero said make sure your junk will fit. I have had quite a few friends borrow it as we'll and never heard a complaint from them either.

Thanks for all the replies.  Although I've never owned a bumper pull stock trailer myself, pretty much every one I've ever used has been 5' wide, so I'm aware of (at least some of) the limitations.  The only 6' wide one I've ever used was an unbelievably heavy 6x18, so that's why I wondered about the possible difference in stability of these two more comparable trailers.

Chambero, it's interesting you should mention "junk", particulatly ATV's, because one thing that had me leaning toward the 5x14 was that two good sized ATV's will fit nose to tail, and that could be a little suspect in the 12'.  The 48" mower would be fine, but now that I think about it the Gator wouldn't...

CAB, I know exactly what you mean about some trailers just plain pulling better than others.  Again, I guess that was part of my leaning toward the new one - I've pulled a couple of other 5x14 WW's quite a bit, and liked how they pulled. I think I could probably try either one empty, but not sure about putting anything in them. 

I've spotted another 6x12, not quite as nice, but quite a bit cheaper.  Going to try to look at it, maybe tomorrow.

DLD said:

Thanks for all the replies.  Although I've never owned a bumper pull stock trailer myself, pretty much every one I've ever used has been 5' wide, so I'm aware of (at least some of) the limitations.  The only 6' wide one I've ever used was an unbelievably heavy 6x18, so that's why I wondered about the possible difference in stability of these two more comparable trailers.

Chambero, it's interesting you should mention "junk", particulatly ATV's, because one thing that had me leaning toward the 5x14 was that two good sized ATV's will fit nose to tail, and that could be a little suspect in the 12'.  The 48" mower would be fine, but now that I think about it the Gator wouldn't...

CAB, I know exactly what you mean about some trailers just plain pulling better than others.  Again, I guess that was part of my leaning toward the new one - I've pulled a couple of other 5x14 WW's quite a bit, and liked how they pulled. I think I could probably try either one empty, but not sure about putting anything in them. 

I've spotted another 6x12, not quite as nice, but quite a bit cheaper.  Going to try to look at it, maybe tomorrow.

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I have a 6x10, and it's pretty much the same size as the back of a truck it seems..  Haul about the same.  truck would be about 5x8. 

biggest problem I have with it, is the short wheel base-- backing can be a challenge for anyone not used to backing it. 

We use our trailor for everything, and sometimes, it feels like 6ft isnt enough. its a 6ft x 24ft gooseneck, but we haul cattle, we help a friend move stuff with his auctioneering company, we used it as a camper before, we loaded up the gators and ATV's, put the cots in the neck, when we unloaded everything, we set up the cots and  beds and had our own camper. bigger isn't always better, but bigger than 5 can tend to be. It sounds like you've already made yer choice to look for a 6ft wide trailer...but I thought I'd put my input in lol

DLD said:

Thanks for all the replies.  Although I've never owned a bumper pull stock trailer myself, pretty much every one I've ever used has been 5' wide, so I'm aware of (at least some of) the limitations.  The only 6' wide one I've ever used was an unbelievably heavy 6x18, so that's why I wondered about the possible difference in stability of these two more comparable trailers.

Chambero, it's interesting you should mention "junk", particulatly ATV's, because one thing that had me leaning toward the 5x14 was that two good sized ATV's will fit nose to tail, and that could be a little suspect in the 12'.  The 48" mower would be fine, but now that I think about it the Gator wouldn't...

CAB, I know exactly what you mean about some trailers just plain pulling better than others.  Again, I guess that was part of my leaning toward the new one - I've pulled a couple of other 5x14 WW's quite a bit, and liked how they pulled. I think I could probably try either one empty, but not sure about putting anything in them. 

I've spotted another 6x12, not quite as nice, but quite a bit cheaper.  Going to try to look at it, maybe tomorrow.

Click to expand...

I think that just the slightest differences in the placement of the axles can make a big difference as to how the trls pull & trail. I've pulled some that are too well balanced and they'll want to fish tail easily. If the axles are back just ever so slightly so that the pick up has a little more weight on it, the trl will follow much better.

Just over a year aog I ran across a used WW 16x6 aluminium bumper pull trailer.  I had some brackets built on the sides for the clipping chute and panels.  Then I fixed it with an extra gate 3 foot from the front so we can put the tack in the front. I just love it.  We can throw 3 calves in that thing and go so easily.  It pulls great and really saves on fuel.  With my truck I get a couple miles per gallon better fuel mileage.  We have a 20 and a 24 foot trailers but I will will pull the bumper any day over those.  By the way it only weighs 2300 pounds empty.  I would recommend being patent and finding a small aluminium.