How Long Can I go?
Thanks to everyone in advance! We are looking at travel trailers - but we live in the middle of a long cul-de-sac and are concerned about getting the trailer around the cul-de-sac. We have a F-1...
Forum Discussion
One thing that I don't think has been mentioned is the use of a weight distribution anti-sway hitch, this may limit the ability to turn at full lock. I have had my centerline hitch brackets on the trailer move when turning tight and I was not at full lock.
It was mentioned that all trailers have the same length tongue and I don't believe that to be true, my brother-in-laws trailer has a foot less between ball and front of house than mine and they are only 1 foot different in overall length. Tongue may actually be the same length, but the house may overhang the v of the tongue there making its effective lenght shorter. As to a trailer never hitting the TV when going forward, I would not take anyones word on that and check your mirrors when turning. Just because someone has never experienced it does not necessarily mean it can't happen. Even if the geometry tells you it can't, why risk it when all you have to do is look in your mirror and be ready to stop if it looks wrong. Best tested in a large open space.
Another thing to consider as mentioned, is the fact that tandem axles will cause skiding\scraping of the tires when turning sharply and this has been a source of axle\undercarriage issues, lippert 3500 lbs axles in particular.
I think the suggestions of driving in to the culdesac and backing up a bit, then forward may be the better solution. You can put the back of the trailer over a curb or driveway and not put your wheels on them, just be aware of where the obstructions are and that you will not swing in to them. When I am planning to do any backing up, I stop and look at it before driving in or I get out and walk it first to make sure.
Good luck!
It was mentioned that all trailers have the same length tongue and I don't believe that to be true, my brother-in-laws trailer has a foot less between ball and front of house than mine and they are only 1 foot different in overall length. Tongue may actually be the same length, but the house may overhang the v of the tongue there making its effective lenght shorter. As to a trailer never hitting the TV when going forward, I would not take anyones word on that and check your mirrors when turning. Just because someone has never experienced it does not necessarily mean it can't happen. Even if the geometry tells you it can't, why risk it when all you have to do is look in your mirror and be ready to stop if it looks wrong. Best tested in a large open space.
Another thing to consider as mentioned, is the fact that tandem axles will cause skiding\scraping of the tires when turning sharply and this has been a source of axle\undercarriage issues, lippert 3500 lbs axles in particular.
I think the suggestions of driving in to the culdesac and backing up a bit, then forward may be the better solution. You can put the back of the trailer over a curb or driveway and not put your wheels on them, just be aware of where the obstructions are and that you will not swing in to them. When I am planning to do any backing up, I stop and look at it before driving in or I get out and walk it first to make sure.
Good luck!
