Any trailer towing expert out there?

stumpfield · Jun 7, 2006

We are thinking of getting a RV as a temporary living quarter while building at our mountain property. Parts of the road leading to the property is very narrow with a few very sharp turns. I'm talking about a huge rock sticking out on the right side and a cliff going down a couple hundred feet on the left-side. So, not much we can do to change the road.

Here's the big question....We want to get the longest trailer possible providing we can tow it there without getting stuck. Should we get a Travel Trailer or a Fifth wheel trailer? Which is better for towing on rough dirt road and be able to make sharp turns?

Here what we know:
1. A neighbor was able to bring a 27' travel trailer there. She said it was barely able to make it. She wouldn't try anything bigger. Not even an inch longer.
2. Our grading contractor was able to drive his 31' flat bed truck carrying his tractor/smaller dozer there.
3. Our neighbor is building a house. Ready-mix concrete trucks was able to go in and out all day long. I've seen building material delivery truck in the 30ft range went in there.
4. A big semi-truck deliver the big dozer was NOT able to get in. He has to drop it off and drive the big dozer in.

Fifth wheel trailers are much better quality, taller with higher clearance for the dirt road and homier. So, we prefer a fifth wheel. However, someone explained to us that if only a 27' travel trailer can get there, then a 27' fifth wheel will NOT due to the way fifth wheel trailer tracks after the tow vehicle.

What do you think? Can we get a 27' or may be a little longer fifth wheel there? My logic was that the total length (tow vehicle plus trailer) is much shorter for a fifth wheel than a travel trailer. A 27' travel trailer is really 30'+ behind the tow vehicle while a 27' fifth wheel is only about 23' behind the tow vehicle.

Is there a formula or some sort of guideline I can measure to make sure I get it there? It's going to be a one time deal. I don't plan to bring it back out anytime soon.

Thanks for your help....

stumpfield · Jun 7, 2006

We are thinking of getting a RV as a temporary living quarter while building at our mountain property. Parts of the road leading to the property is very narrow with a few very sharp turns. I'm talking about a huge rock sticking out on the right side and a cliff going down a couple hundred feet on the left-side. So, not much we can do to change the road.

Here's the big question....We want to get the longest trailer possible providing we can tow it there without getting stuck. Should we get a Travel Trailer or a Fifth wheel trailer? Which is better for towing on rough dirt road and be able to make sharp turns?

Here what we know:
1. A neighbor was able to bring a 27' travel trailer there. She said it was barely able to make it. She wouldn't try anything bigger. Not even an inch longer.
2. Our grading contractor was able to drive his 31' flat bed truck carrying his tractor/smaller dozer there.
3. Our neighbor is building a house. Ready-mix concrete trucks was able to go in and out all day long. I've seen building material delivery truck in the 30ft range went in there.
4. A big semi-truck deliver the big dozer was NOT able to get in. He has to drop it off and drive the big dozer in.

Fifth wheel trailers are much better quality, taller with higher clearance for the dirt road and homier. So, we prefer a fifth wheel. However, someone explained to us that if only a 27' travel trailer can get there, then a 27' fifth wheel will NOT due to the way fifth wheel trailer tracks after the tow vehicle.

What do you think? Can we get a 27' or may be a little longer fifth wheel there? My logic was that the total length (tow vehicle plus trailer) is much shorter for a fifth wheel than a travel trailer. A 27' travel trailer is really 30'+ behind the tow vehicle while a 27' fifth wheel is only about 23' behind the tow vehicle.

Is there a formula or some sort of guideline I can measure to make sure I get it there? It's going to be a one time deal. I don't plan to bring it back out anytime soon.

Thanks for your help....

George2615 · Jun 7, 2006

I agree with your statement that "My logic was that the total length (tow vehicle plus trailer) is much shorter for a fifth wheel than a travel trailer. A 27' travel trailer is really 30'+ behind the tow vehicle while a 27' fifth wheel is only about 23' behind the tow vehicle". Plus for manueverability you'll be able to get a fifth wheel around easier. Another plus is the fifth wheel puts more traction weight over the rear axle. The tag along could only help if you used a weight distribution hitch. If your neighbor got a 27' er in you should be able to do at least a 30' 5th wheel. Just my opinion.
George

George2615 · Jun 7, 2006

I agree with your statement that "My logic was that the total length (tow vehicle plus trailer) is much shorter for a fifth wheel than a travel trailer. A 27' travel trailer is really 30'+ behind the tow vehicle while a 27' fifth wheel is only about 23' behind the tow vehicle". Plus for manueverability you'll be able to get a fifth wheel around easier. Another plus is the fifth wheel puts more traction weight over the rear axle. The tag along could only help if you used a weight distribution hitch. If your neighbor got a 27' er in you should be able to do at least a 30' 5th wheel. Just my opinion.
George

RobertN · Jun 7, 2006

Am not sure on the trailer. But, consider the truck you tow with too. A standard cab truck will manuever in there better than a long bed xcab or crew cab.

RobertN · Jun 7, 2006

Am not sure on the trailer. But, consider the truck you tow with too. A standard cab truck will manuever in there better than a long bed xcab or crew cab.

Bird · Jun 7, 2006

( However, someone explained to us that if only a 27' travel trailer can get there, then a 27' fifth wheel will NOT due to the way fifth wheel trailer tracks after the tow vehicle. ) /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Sure sounds to me like there's some misunderstanding about travel trailers. George has it right. My first travel trailer was called a 24 but actually measured just over 25'. That's measuring from the front end of the hitch to the back end of the rear bumper. Approximately 4' (sometimes just a little bit less) is the trailer tongue. Many people have noticed that fifth-wheel trailers cost more than the same length conventional trailers, but if you figure it on a square foot of living area basis, they're close to the same. A 27' conventional trailer has about 23' of living space, plus the tongue, and extends 27' behind the tow vehicle. A 27' fifth-wheel has 27' of living space and at least 4', probably 5', is over the bed of the truck so it only extends behind the truck 22 to 23'. NOTE: You may have slightly less living space than I just said because the length measurement includes the back bumper. Now I have no idea why they do it, but when you go to buy one, take your tape measure along, or at least read all the specs, because frequently RVs are up to a foot and a half different actual length than what they are called. Of course, the fifth-wheel can be turned more sharply, but the pivot point is definitely very different.

Now I'm not going to tell you what you can or can't do without actually seeing the terrain and the trailer, but I'd be hard pressed to imagine any place anyone could take a 27' conventional trailer that I couldn't take the 32' fifth-wheel we used to have.

Bird · Jun 7, 2006

( However, someone explained to us that if only a 27' travel trailer can get there, then a 27' fifth wheel will NOT due to the way fifth wheel trailer tracks after the tow vehicle. ) /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Sure sounds to me like there's some misunderstanding about travel trailers. George has it right. My first travel trailer was called a 24 but actually measured just over 25'. That's measuring from the front end of the hitch to the back end of the rear bumper. Approximately 4' (sometimes just a little bit less) is the trailer tongue. Many people have noticed that fifth-wheel trailers cost more than the same length conventional trailers, but if you figure it on a square foot of living area basis, they're close to the same. A 27' conventional trailer has about 23' of living space, plus the tongue, and extends 27' behind the tow vehicle. A 27' fifth-wheel has 27' of living space and at least 4', probably 5', is over the bed of the truck so it only extends behind the truck 22 to 23'. NOTE: You may have slightly less living space than I just said because the length measurement includes the back bumper. Now I have no idea why they do it, but when you go to buy one, take your tape measure along, or at least read all the specs, because frequently RVs are up to a foot and a half different actual length than what they are called. Of course, the fifth-wheel can be turned more sharply, but the pivot point is definitely very different.

Now I'm not going to tell you what you can or can't do without actually seeing the terrain and the trailer, but I'd be hard pressed to imagine any place anyone could take a 27' conventional trailer that I couldn't take the 32' fifth-wheel we used to have.

Highbeam · Jun 7, 2006

I agree with Bird on most points and will add that the RV manufacturers all measure differently. Some are just the box, some the tongue included, some the tongue and the bumper. Just bring your tape.

While I agree that a fifth wheel is better when going down the road I will add that they are not much fun to maneuver into a spot. Especially difficult to back up down a long skinny road because to turn the trailer requires moving the center of the bed of the truck a good ways to one side. They aren't as sensitive to steering adjustments.

That said, the high ceilings and spaciousness are hard to beat.

Highbeam · Jun 7, 2006

I agree with Bird on most points and will add that the RV manufacturers all measure differently. Some are just the box, some the tongue included, some the tongue and the bumper. Just bring your tape.

While I agree that a fifth wheel is better when going down the road I will add that they are not much fun to maneuver into a spot. Especially difficult to back up down a long skinny road because to turn the trailer requires moving the center of the bed of the truck a good ways to one side. They aren't as sensitive to steering adjustments.

That said, the high ceilings and spaciousness are hard to beat.