Any trailer towing expert out there?

stumpfield · Jun 9, 2006

( Guess I will put my $.02 in. How far the center of the axles are from the hitch point on the tow vechicle will effect how well the trailer will follow the tow vechicle. Measure all the trailers that you look at from the center of the hitch to the center of the axles and the one that is the shortest will be easier to get in tight places. I know I have looked at horse trailers that were the same length but the axles were farther back on some making them hard to get into tight places. Also the length of the tow vechicle will have an effect on getting it in. It may also be able to hook it behind a farm tractor and get a longer trailer in than you could with a truck. Tractor Supply sells a 3 point attachment that has a receiver and a gooseneck ball on top to move trailers around with. You may be able to get something like this to hook to a fithwheel. )

Bulldogger: This make logical sense to me. Are you saying regardless whether it's a travel trailer or 5th wheel, the length between the center of the axle to the hitch point is what determines how tight it can turn? (using the same tow vehicle of course...). This explains why a 27' travel trailer turns better than a 27' 5th wheel. Not because it's a travel trailer. 5th wheels have more tongue weight. The rear axle usually goes much further back than a travel trailer. I hope I understood this right /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Ok... I'll bring my tape measure when I go trailer shopping. Thanks for the insight. I think this is the answer I'm looking for.

stumpfield · Jun 9, 2006

( Guess I will put my $.02 in. How far the center of the axles are from the hitch point on the tow vechicle will effect how well the trailer will follow the tow vechicle. Measure all the trailers that you look at from the center of the hitch to the center of the axles and the one that is the shortest will be easier to get in tight places. I know I have looked at horse trailers that were the same length but the axles were farther back on some making them hard to get into tight places. Also the length of the tow vechicle will have an effect on getting it in. It may also be able to hook it behind a farm tractor and get a longer trailer in than you could with a truck. Tractor Supply sells a 3 point attachment that has a receiver and a gooseneck ball on top to move trailers around with. You may be able to get something like this to hook to a fithwheel. )

Bulldogger: This make logical sense to me. Are you saying regardless whether it's a travel trailer or 5th wheel, the length between the center of the axle to the hitch point is what determines how tight it can turn? (using the same tow vehicle of course...). This explains why a 27' travel trailer turns better than a 27' 5th wheel. Not because it's a travel trailer. 5th wheels have more tongue weight. The rear axle usually goes much further back than a travel trailer. I hope I understood this right /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Ok... I'll bring my tape measure when I go trailer shopping. Thanks for the insight. I think this is the answer I'm looking for.

stevenf · Jun 9, 2006

You betcha it'd make a heck of a hood ornament you could just cut thru the hood and weld a tripod down next to the motor mounts /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

stevenf · Jun 9, 2006

You betcha it'd make a heck of a hood ornament you could just cut thru the hood and weld a tripod down next to the motor mounts /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bulldogger · Jun 9, 2006

Stumpfield: Yes if you measure from the hitch on the trailer back to the center of the trailer axles the shorter the distance the less wide you will have to swing around curves. I have always been able to get a gooseneck/fifthwheel into tighter places than a bumper pull trailer. It would be hard to say how long a trailer you could get in there without seeing the road. Look at as many different brands as you can in both fifthwheels and travel trailers. Then measure how far back the center of the axles are from the hitch and the one with the shortest distance from the hitch will take less room around the curves. If you decide on a 28' fifthwheel measure the distance on as many different brands as you can. Each one will be different based on the floor plan of the trailer. They have to keep the tongue weight within certain limits and they do this by moving the axles forward or back. Hope this helps.

Bulldogger · Jun 9, 2006

Stumpfield: Yes if you measure from the hitch on the trailer back to the center of the trailer axles the shorter the distance the less wide you will have to swing around curves. I have always been able to get a gooseneck/fifthwheel into tighter places than a bumper pull trailer. It would be hard to say how long a trailer you could get in there without seeing the road. Look at as many different brands as you can in both fifthwheels and travel trailers. Then measure how far back the center of the axles are from the hitch and the one with the shortest distance from the hitch will take less room around the curves. If you decide on a 28' fifthwheel measure the distance on as many different brands as you can. Each one will be different based on the floor plan of the trailer. They have to keep the tongue weight within certain limits and they do this by moving the axles forward or back. Hope this helps.

gotrocks · Jun 10, 2006

Well, looks like you have many opinions and help from others. I'll put in my 2 cents. Since I did not see any mention of a substitute take a look here and cross it off your list of alternatives. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

gotrocks · Jun 10, 2006

Well, looks like you have many opinions and help from others. I'll put in my 2 cents. Since I did not see any mention of a substitute take a look here and cross it off your list of alternatives. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif