Like four wheeled farm trailers. Many trucks have huge towing capacity with limited payload so a four wheeled fully supported trailer is often the only way (weigh? ;-) you could use all that towing 'capacity'. Increased cost is an obvious downside, however I would think the additional cost in larger TT would not be a huge bump.Is handling an issue perhaps?Other reasons I'm not considering? For all I know there are some out there, I tried searching but as soon as you put 'trailer' in a search the first bajillion pages are RV dealers with the normal inventory.

I would say handling and backing would be the biggest issues.

Backing up a trailer with two separate axles is very nearly impossible, at least without a tremendous amount of practice; it's the same basic physics in play as backing up a car on a tow dolly. You have two pivots in play that have to be kept lined up.Since access to a great many campsites require one to back in a trailer, this is a very significant drawback.I suspect there could be some rather troubling shimmy or wander problems at highway speeds, but presumably proper design and damping and such could keep them under control.

Good point on backing, no mean feat with 2 hinge points.. I drove a tractor/farm trailer for a couple of years. Learned to drive that setup backward nearly as well as forwards.. so didn't occur to me.. and that was 30 years ago so I've likely lost the skill by now ;-)So now you have to add another $1000 for an integrated trailer dolly. Deploy the trailer dolly handle and wheels. Unhook from your TV and dolly into the campsite. TT already has batteries and the 'dolly' wouldn't have to support tongue weight, just a deploy able wheel and handle arrangement with something like a starter motor for power.edit: or, 2 starter motors (or similar) that can hook up to each of the front wheels.. A way to stow the hitch out of the way, and then a tethered controller allowing you to control both front wheels independently. Sorta like those huge wheeled dollies they use to move buildings..

I have seen 5th wheel version but not travel trailer versions. I know they made them in the 50's for trailers. Stability would be the number 1 concern.

As in a farm trailer design with steerable front axle? Impossible to pull at speed, unless you like rolling over at the first 30mph turn.

Why no TT's that fully supports their own weight.

JaxDad
Explorer III
Jan 07, 2017
braindead0 wrote:
Many trucks have huge towing capacity with limited payload so a four wheeled fully supported trailer is often the only way (weigh? ;-) you could use all that towing 'capacity'.

Towing a load is one thing, steering, stopping and keeping it under control is a whole different matter.
myredracer
Explorer II
Jan 07, 2017
irishtom29 wrote:
The long long trailer used a Slimp wheel.

Thanks! I see there were a few manufacturers of them. Here's a short vid demonstrating how they work. Slimp wheel in action.
irishtom29
Explorer
Jan 07, 2017
The long long trailer used a Slimp wheel.
3oaks
Explorer
Jan 06, 2017
If it comes down to need, none of us NEED any RV. It's a matter of what we want. :@

The more choices the better. Something for everybody within their own price range too. ;)
Bucky_Badger
Explorer
Jan 06, 2017
I'm fine with way they are now. Now need to up the price another 5grand on something not needed
braindead0
Explorer
Jan 06, 2017
myredracer wrote:
DutchmenSport wrote:

Great minds think alike! I have the DVD and copied these into still photos on my computer:

Cool! Great movie. I've seen a few photos of the vintage hitch helper in the past but don't know what they called it to google it. Not sure how commonly used it was.
This is now a 'Long Trailer' thread ;-)..

Watched that with my wife before we ever had a TT... to this day she remembers Lucy making salad in the trailer while on the road...flinging ingredients everywhere... classic.
myredracer
Explorer II
Jan 06, 2017
DutchmenSport wrote:

Great minds think alike! I have the DVD and copied these into still photos on my computer:

Cool! Great movie. I've seen a few photos of the vintage hitch helper in the past but don't know what they called it to google it. Not sure how commonly used it was.
braindead0
Explorer
Jan 06, 2017
Wow. Good find Famerjon. That guy seems to be towing with a bus, weight of the bus may play a huge factor in overall stability.

I didn't turn up manufacturer page or other info, this may be a custom job of sorts.

I think that answers my question though....
Farmerjon
Explorer
Jan 06, 2017
I found this.
Link

trailer built by Competive Trailer in California that has a steerable front axle. The nice thing is it can be backed very easily. When you put TV in reverse a relay operates a hydraulic motor that rotates the front axle and puts reverse caster in the axle.

Click For Full-Size Image.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jan 06, 2017
myredracer wrote:
You can buy a "hitch helper" like in 1st photo. Back in the 50s, they had a similar device but was mounted to the A-frame - can't find a closeup shot of it at the moment but the 2nd photo shows it in use (from The Long, Long Trailer). Have to wonder what it would have been like towing a long, long trailer with that hitch helper on some of the narrow, steep and twisty roads in Ca. with a car with soft suspension.

Great minds think alike! I have the DVD and copied these into still photos on my computer: