Any trailer towing expert out there?

RedRocker · Jun 8, 2006

You'll get a longer TT in there than a 5th wheel. When you turn a corner with a bumper pull trailer the pivot point is at the back of the truck, on a fiver it's over the axle. Now a mobile home mover type truck might get a longer fiver in there due to how short they are. We have a 27' on our property and it's plenty roomy for two.

RedRocker · Jun 8, 2006

You'll get a longer TT in there than a 5th wheel. When you turn a corner with a bumper pull trailer the pivot point is at the back of the truck, on a fiver it's over the axle. Now a mobile home mover type truck might get a longer fiver in there due to how short they are. We have a 27' on our property and it's plenty roomy for two.

dubba · Jun 8, 2006

I would do a few things first.

Go measure the distance between the center of the wheels on that 27' camper and the tongue. Then go measure the wheelbase of that 31' flatbed the contractor dude brought in.

Camper wheelbases are VERY camper specific due to layout & floorplan, location of holding tanks etc. If the utilities are in the front, there might be a huge overhang on the back of the camper that might not affect you because you don't care if the overhang swings over the edge of the cliff /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I drive TT's for a living so I'm fairly biased, but I would rather have a 5th wheel for tight spots then anything else. IMHO there are more options with a 5th wheel hitch as far as maneuvering

dubba · Jun 8, 2006

I would do a few things first.

Go measure the distance between the center of the wheels on that 27' camper and the tongue. Then go measure the wheelbase of that 31' flatbed the contractor dude brought in.

Camper wheelbases are VERY camper specific due to layout & floorplan, location of holding tanks etc. If the utilities are in the front, there might be a huge overhang on the back of the camper that might not affect you because you don't care if the overhang swings over the edge of the cliff /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I drive TT's for a living so I'm fairly biased, but I would rather have a 5th wheel for tight spots then anything else. IMHO there are more options with a 5th wheel hitch as far as maneuvering

dubba · Jun 8, 2006

( When you turn a corner with a bumper pull trailer the pivot point is at the back of the truck, on a fiver it's over the axle )

I don't want to start an argument over this one, but you said it exactly correct except for...

When we both start turning on identical corners with identical trucks & identical trailers.. My trailer with the 5th wheel will already be 3' farther into the corner effectively shortening my overall trailer length

dubba · Jun 8, 2006

( When you turn a corner with a bumper pull trailer the pivot point is at the back of the truck, on a fiver it's over the axle )

I don't want to start an argument over this one, but you said it exactly correct except for...

When we both start turning on identical corners with identical trucks & identical trailers.. My trailer with the 5th wheel will already be 3' farther into the corner effectively shortening my overall trailer length

stumpfield · Jun 8, 2006

( I would do a few things first.

Go measure the distance between the center of the wheels on that 27' camper and the tongue. Then go measure the wheelbase of that 31' flatbed the contractor dude brought in.

Camper wheelbases are VERY camper specific due to layout & floorplan, location of holding tanks etc. If the utilities are in the front, there might be a huge overhang on the back of the camper that might not affect you because you don't care if the overhang swings over the edge of the cliff /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I drive TT's for a living so I'm fairly biased, but I would rather have a 5th wheel for tight spots then anything else. IMHO there are more options with a 5th wheel hitch as far as maneuvering )

How tight you can turn.... is it determine by the wheel base?
Can someone confirm this? What about factor in the tow vehicle? Unfortunately, my tow vehicle has a pretty long wheel base (Ford F350 Crewcab long bed).

The wheelbase of the contractor's flatbed truck is 22'. I don't know about the neighbor's 27' trailer. I can go measure next time I'm there. THe wheel base of my truck is 14.5'

If this is the case, then I'll just measure the pivot point and the rear wheel of the trailer. Whether it's a 5th wheel or travel trailer. I think they are about the same for a 27' travel trailer and 5th wheel when they hookup to the truck.

I posted this question in another forum. One guy said that he can make the trun with his 35' Travel trailer towed with a F350CC while his buddy can not make the turn with a 27' 5th wheel towed with a shorter tow vehicle (F250Xtracab). Fortunately, their obstacle was a tree. They had to cut down the tree. Does this make sense? or just a difference in towing skill?

stumpfield · Jun 8, 2006

( I would do a few things first.

Go measure the distance between the center of the wheels on that 27' camper and the tongue. Then go measure the wheelbase of that 31' flatbed the contractor dude brought in.

Camper wheelbases are VERY camper specific due to layout & floorplan, location of holding tanks etc. If the utilities are in the front, there might be a huge overhang on the back of the camper that might not affect you because you don't care if the overhang swings over the edge of the cliff /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I drive TT's for a living so I'm fairly biased, but I would rather have a 5th wheel for tight spots then anything else. IMHO there are more options with a 5th wheel hitch as far as maneuvering )

How tight you can turn.... is it determine by the wheel base?
Can someone confirm this? What about factor in the tow vehicle? Unfortunately, my tow vehicle has a pretty long wheel base (Ford F350 Crewcab long bed).

The wheelbase of the contractor's flatbed truck is 22'. I don't know about the neighbor's 27' trailer. I can go measure next time I'm there. THe wheel base of my truck is 14.5'

If this is the case, then I'll just measure the pivot point and the rear wheel of the trailer. Whether it's a 5th wheel or travel trailer. I think they are about the same for a 27' travel trailer and 5th wheel when they hookup to the truck.

I posted this question in another forum. One guy said that he can make the trun with his 35' Travel trailer towed with a F350CC while his buddy can not make the turn with a 27' 5th wheel towed with a shorter tow vehicle (F250Xtracab). Fortunately, their obstacle was a tree. They had to cut down the tree. Does this make sense? or just a difference in towing skill?

3RRL · Jun 8, 2006

stumpfield.
I would really like to see some pics of your road and your prperty. I'm in town this week...I'll send you a PM.

We had our hearts set on buying a travel trailer as you are considering. If you are intending to leave it there for quite a while (at least until you finish your house build) then you only have to negotiate that rock out cropping once in and once out (if you intend to sell it after). Either a 5th wheel or TT will do for you guys. You'll find that you'll want to add acanopy porch and a bunch of other stuff to make yourself a campground so you can really enjoy your property instead of being cooped up inside that trailer all the time. The misses will have to negotiate the kitchen so make sure it's roomy and get comfortable sleeping quarters, because that will be the main reason for the trailer. Don't get caught up in a TV, stereo, etc. too much otherwise you might as well stay home to do those things. Although I must admit it would be nice to have electricity and hot water showers etc.

The heating and air conditioning will be nice on days you need it and protection from rain and elements, but again, you'll find yourself inside the trailer cooped up on days like that instead of braving the elements really enjoying (sometimes enduring) those spells.

We decided to build our campground exactly for that reason. So we can enjoy all the seasons up there. It has been quite an experience being able to view nature like that. Plus it will give me a Hunting camp ... (forever?) after our home is built. There are times for sure that we wish we would be warmer or cooler or dryer, but our camp set up provides enough shelter and comfort that we use it year round every other weekend regardless of the weather.

It let's us stay in touch with nature and appreciate why we bought the property. (besides getting away from it all) The cost of construction materials was less than 1/4 the price of the trailer we were looking at. We have the self satisfaction of creating our campground and have made it VERY comfortible....just another view to consider??

3RRL · Jun 8, 2006

stumpfield.
I would really like to see some pics of your road and your prperty. I'm in town this week...I'll send you a PM.

We had our hearts set on buying a travel trailer as you are considering. If you are intending to leave it there for quite a while (at least until you finish your house build) then you only have to negotiate that rock out cropping once in and once out (if you intend to sell it after). Either a 5th wheel or TT will do for you guys. You'll find that you'll want to add acanopy porch and a bunch of other stuff to make yourself a campground so you can really enjoy your property instead of being cooped up inside that trailer all the time. The misses will have to negotiate the kitchen so make sure it's roomy and get comfortable sleeping quarters, because that will be the main reason for the trailer. Don't get caught up in a TV, stereo, etc. too much otherwise you might as well stay home to do those things. Although I must admit it would be nice to have electricity and hot water showers etc.

The heating and air conditioning will be nice on days you need it and protection from rain and elements, but again, you'll find yourself inside the trailer cooped up on days like that instead of braving the elements really enjoying (sometimes enduring) those spells.

We decided to build our campground exactly for that reason. So we can enjoy all the seasons up there. It has been quite an experience being able to view nature like that. Plus it will give me a Hunting camp ... (forever?) after our home is built. There are times for sure that we wish we would be warmer or cooler or dryer, but our camp set up provides enough shelter and comfort that we use it year round every other weekend regardless of the weather.

It let's us stay in touch with nature and appreciate why we bought the property. (besides getting away from it all) The cost of construction materials was less than 1/4 the price of the trailer we were looking at. We have the self satisfaction of creating our campground and have made it VERY comfortible....just another view to consider??