Forum Discussion

DallasSteve's avatar
DallasSteve
Nomad
Jun 25, 2017

Turning Radius: Fifth Wheel vs. Bumper Pull

Another member posted a question about learning to drive a Class A motorhome and one of the issues that was raised is learning to turn a corner without clipping the curb with the back wheel or hitting oncoming traffic. That is an area that concerns me, but I'm looking at picking a trailer instead of a motorhome.

That brings me to my question. I will probably pick a trailer about 35 feet long, which is pretty long. I'm guessing it's complicated to turn corners at intersections with a long trailer, too. How different is it if the trailer is a fifth wheel instead of the same 35-foot length "box" hitched to a bumper?
  • DallasSteve's avatar
    DallasSteve
    Nomad
    Jun 25, 2017
    CarnationSailor wrote:
    MFL wrote:
    A FW will cut inside the turn more than a bumper pull. If you have room, you can go farther into the corner before turning. In some cases you may have to swing wide before turning, if traffic is shortening your turn area. It does not take long to figure it out, but turn slowly until you do.

    Yes, a longer FW will cut even more inside the trucks turn.

    Jerry


    X2 - A 5th wheel is definitely not easier than a bumper pull to turn around a corner, but then again, it is not difficult to do once you get used to delaying the start of your turn as long as possible.


    Wow! I'm glad I asked. I thought it would be easier to turn a corner with a 5th wheel.
  • CarnationSailor's avatar
    CarnationSailor
    Nomad
    Jun 25, 2017
    MFL wrote:
    A FW will cut inside the turn more than a bumper pull. If you have room, you can go farther into the corner before turning. In some cases you may have to swing wide before turning, if traffic is shortening your turn area. It does not take long to figure it out, but turn slowly until you do.

    Yes, a longer FW will cut even more inside the trucks turn.

    Jerry


    X2 - A 5th wheel is definitely not easier than a bumper pull to turn around a corner, but then again, it is not difficult to do once you get used to delaying the start of your turn as long as possible.
  • Searching_Ut's avatar
    Searching_Ut
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2017
    As mentioned, a 5er cuts inside the corners more so you have to swing wider. Another thing to keep in mind involves how much trailer you have aft of the trailers wheels. As the nose starts turning, the tail end swings out which could get you in trouble.
  • CarnationSailor's avatar
    CarnationSailor
    Nomad
    Jun 25, 2017
    corvettekent wrote:
    A 5th wheel will be a lot easier. Just remember that the front axle of the trailer needs to be at the start of the turn before you start turning the truck.


    Can you tell us your definition of "the start of the turn"?
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jun 25, 2017
    A FW will cut inside the turn more than a bumper pull. If you have room, you can go farther into the corner before turning. In some cases you may have to swing wide before turning, if traffic is shortening your turn area. It does not take long to figure it out, but turn slowly until you do.

    Yes, a longer FW will cut even more inside the trucks turn.

    Jerry
  • corvettekent's avatar
    corvettekent
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2017
    A 5th wheel will be a lot easier. Just remember that the front axle of the trailer needs to be at the start of the turn before you start turning the truck.

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