Max. Trailer length - NP and state parks

MFL wrote:

4X4Dodger wrote:

MFL wrote:
To answer the backing question, a bumper pull trailer will start to turn quicker, when backing, due to being hooked to the very rear of the tow vehicle. A FW turns much slower when starting to back, but turns very quickly, once the angle starts to make a major change.

I never have much problem with SP campsites being too short for my 31' FW. I have found the FW height to be the bigger problem. Most SPs have a lot of trees, with low hanging branches.

Unless you get one of the really small FWs, most will be closer to 30 feet or more, overall length. There are not many newer 24' FWs available anymore.

Jerry

Turning radius is a function of the distance from the pivot point to the CL (center line) of the trailer wheels.

It has nothing to do with 5th wheel or bumper hitch.

The shorter the distance noted above the quicker it will respond and vice-versa.

"It has nothing to do with 5th wheel or bumper hitch"

Sorry Dodger, but it makes a big difference being hitched over the rear axle. Your truck will have to move much more initially, before the trailer will make much of a turn. As you know a TT turns right away, as the truck backs into a turn.

Try backing a friends FW, and you will more understand. A FW is harder for most, until you get used to it, for this very reason.

You are correct, that a longer, wheels farther back version of TT, or FW is generally easier to back. A short utility trailer, with a short tongue turns very quickly.

Jerry

I grew up in a family with a large trucking business, moving and storage, with agencies from Calif to North Carolina. I started backing "fifth wheels" tractor trailers when I was 14 in our lots up to the docks.

I have since owned my own trucks as a sideline to my "real career" and have had a class A cdl for most of my life. I doubt there is anything you can teach me about "fifth Wheels" their handling or the Physics involved.

My initial response is valid. It is strictly a function of the distance of pivot point to cl of trailer wheels.

As for the trailer going backwards...it happens often in tractor trailers in sharp turns and you must be aware of it but as one poster commented in terms of recreational vehicles it is a useless move.

Actually the longer the distance from pivot to cl of wheels actually makes it easier to back a trailer. Backing a fifth wheel or a bumper hitch is the same to me. Its like second nature.

There is a difference in how the process "feels" at the wheel but I guarantee you the laws of physics are not changed.