Any trailer towing expert out there?

[dubba]

How tight you can turn.... is it determine by the wheel base

It's all about wheelbase. Hook a wood-splitter to a jeep CJ7 & see how tight you can turn /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The fact that your contractors wheelbase was 22' (seems a shade long for a 31' truck, was there no overhang on that bed?), then IMHO you can tolerate a 5th wheel with a 22' wheelbase (not overall length, that would be longer, like 30-32')

My FIL has a F250 extended cab that cannot be turned into a single width parking space at Home Depot without backing up /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It's all about wheelbase of both the truck & the trailer, turning radius of the tow vehicle, skill level & attitude.

Get an experienced towing service, rent the same model you are looking at buying, get the insurance, & bring it up there.

Just as a side note, I would never buy another camper unless I live in it for a weekend at the minimum. Sometimes what seems nice just doesn't work out /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[dubba]

How tight you can turn.... is it determine by the wheel base

It's all about wheelbase. Hook a wood-splitter to a jeep CJ7 & see how tight you can turn /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The fact that your contractors wheelbase was 22' (seems a shade long for a 31' truck, was there no overhang on that bed?), then IMHO you can tolerate a 5th wheel with a 22' wheelbase (not overall length, that would be longer, like 30-32')

My FIL has a F250 extended cab that cannot be turned into a single width parking space at Home Depot without backing up /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It's all about wheelbase of both the truck & the trailer, turning radius of the tow vehicle, skill level & attitude.

Get an experienced towing service, rent the same model you are looking at buying, get the insurance, & bring it up there.

Just as a side note, I would never buy another camper unless I live in it for a weekend at the minimum. Sometimes what seems nice just doesn't work out /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Jimbrown]

As I see it you are buying this thing to live while you build. Probably are not going to keep after that. I would shop for a trailer I liked ( possibly used) and then before I paid for it tell the dealer that I want it delivered and explain the situation. Let him deliver it or tell you it can't be done. A professional delivery driver can usually put things where average people could not.

 

[Jimbrown]

As I see it you are buying this thing to live while you build. Probably are not going to keep after that. I would shop for a trailer I liked ( possibly used) and then before I paid for it tell the dealer that I want it delivered and explain the situation. Let him deliver it or tell you it can't be done. A professional delivery driver can usually put things where average people could not.

 

[RobS]

You're getting a lot of good advice, I'll just add a couple of tidbits:

With a fifth wheel, the clearance from camper to bed will be a factor in "off roading". If the camper articulates too much it will contact the bed.

Lower end RVs don't hold up well to full time use. We have an inexpensive fifth wheel that works just fine for vacationing. During our house construction we used it for about a week while we were tiling the house floors. Didn't even stay in it overnight but it was the hangout for the kids and our kitchen. We put more wear and tear on the camper during that week than in all the other years of ownership combined. If I were planning on buying an RV as temporay living quarters during an entire house construction project, I'd plan on it being "disposable" at the end /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RobS]

You're getting a lot of good advice, I'll just add a couple of tidbits:

With a fifth wheel, the clearance from camper to bed will be a factor in "off roading". If the camper articulates too much it will contact the bed.

Lower end RVs don't hold up well to full time use. We have an inexpensive fifth wheel that works just fine for vacationing. During our house construction we used it for about a week while we were tiling the house floors. Didn't even stay in it overnight but it was the hangout for the kids and our kitchen. We put more wear and tear on the camper during that week than in all the other years of ownership combined. If I were planning on buying an RV as temporay living quarters during an entire house construction project, I'd plan on it being "disposable" at the end /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[stumpfield]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( As I see it you are buying this thing to live while you build. Probably are not going to keep after that. I would shop for a trailer I liked ( possibly used) and then before I paid for it tell the dealer that I want it delivered and explain the situation. Let him deliver it or tell you it can't be done. A professional delivery driver can usually put things where average people could not. )</font>

Hey! that's a good idea. Now I just need to find a dealer willing to do the delivery. Hopefully one that's willing to do a COD on the trailer purchase. The last thing I want is a saleperson promise the world but can't deliever. I have heard stories of people bought trailer they can't possibly tow with their vehicle because the salesperson said they could.....

 

[stumpfield]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( As I see it you are buying this thing to live while you build. Probably are not going to keep after that. I would shop for a trailer I liked ( possibly used) and then before I paid for it tell the dealer that I want it delivered and explain the situation. Let him deliver it or tell you it can't be done. A professional delivery driver can usually put things where average people could not. )</font>

Hey! that's a good idea. Now I just need to find a dealer willing to do the delivery. Hopefully one that's willing to do a COD on the trailer purchase. The last thing I want is a saleperson promise the world but can't deliever. I have heard stories of people bought trailer they can't possibly tow with their vehicle because the salesperson said they could.....

 

[RobertN]

That's another good point... What is your truck, engine/tranny combo, GVWR and GCWR?

 

[RobertN]

That's another good point... What is your truck, engine/tranny combo, GVWR and GCWR?