GN500 vs GN550: Which 5 Car Trailer Is Right for Your Business?

Two names come up constantly when auto transport operators shop for a new 5 car hauler: the GN500 and the GN550. Both haul five vehicles, both use gooseneck hitching, and both are built for commercial-grade daily use. But they are not interchangeable, and choosing the wrong one can cost you loading time, fuel efficiency, or the ability to bid on certain contracts. This comparison breaks down exactly where these two trailers differ, so you can match the model to the freight you actually run.

Overall Length and Footprint

The GN500 measures 50 feet overall, while the GN550 stretches to 53 feet. Those three extra feet on the GN550 come from its two hydraulic tilt decks, which extend the total loading capacity to roughly 76 feet when both decks are counted together. The GN500 uses a drive-over belly deck design instead, which is shorter overall but purpose-built for chassis cab trucks and vehicles that benefit from a lower loading angle.

If your yard space, storage lot, or typical parking situations are tight, the shorter GN500 can be easier to maneuver and store. If you regularly run interstate routes with fewer turns and tighter loading windows, the GN550’s extra deck length may let you carry a better mix of vehicle sizes per trip.

Deck Design: Belly Deck vs Dual Tilt Deck

This is the single biggest functional difference between the two trailers. The GN500 features a drive-over belly deck with a box tongue designed specifically for chassis cab trucks, making it easier to load and unload vehicles with truck beds or towing equipment attached. The GN550 uses two separate hydraulic tilt decks, which lower independently to the ground for smoother loading of standard vehicles, including lower-clearance cars.

In practice, operators who haul a lot of pickup trucks, cab-and-chassis vehicles, or work trucks tend to prefer the GN500’s belly deck layout. Operators focused on sedans, SUVs, and mixed passenger vehicle loads often find the GN550’s dual tilt decks faster to load and better suited to varied vehicle heights.

Top and Bottom Loading Capacity

Both trailers offer similar top and bottom loading figures, generally in the range of 32 to 34 feet on top and 42 to 44 feet on the bottom, depending on the exact build and manufacturer specification sheet. The GN550 tends to edge slightly ahead on total combined loading length due to its longer overall frame, which can matter if you frequently haul longer vehicles like extended-cab trucks or vans.

Weight, Axles, and Braking

Both the GN500 and GN550 typically weigh in around 13,000 pounds empty and use tandem dual axles rated near 12,000 pounds each, giving a combined GVWR around 25,000 pounds on well-equipped models. Hydraulic brakes on both axles, a breakaway kit, and LED lighting come standard on quality builds of either trailer. Because empty weight and GVWR are so close between the two, your decision should come down to deck design and length rather than raw weight capacity.

Which One Fits Your Contracts?

Think about the last twenty loads you booked. If most were passenger cars and SUVs headed to dealership lots or auctions, the GN550’s tilt decks will likely load faster and reduce driver time at each stop. If a meaningful share of your business involves hauling work trucks, service vehicles, or cab-and-chassis units for fleet clients, the GN500’s belly deck design is purpose-built for exactly that kind of freight.

Cost is also worth checking directly with your dealer, since pricing on both models shifts with steel prices and available options like toolboxes, spare tire mounts, and tire packages. Neither trailer is universally “better” — the right pick depends on matching deck design to your actual vehicle mix.

If you haul a broad, largely passenger-vehicle-based mix and want faster loading across varied vehicle heights, lean toward the GN550. If your book of business includes chassis cab trucks, work trucks, or vehicles that benefit from a drive-over deck, the GN500 will likely serve you better and reduce loading friction at the dock. Either way, request a walk-through from the dealer, confirm current pricing and lead times, and cross-check the exact spec sheet for the specific unit you’re considering, since manufacturers periodically update dimensions and standard features.