Travel Trailer ground clearance
My wife and I are considering a Travel Trailer as our next RV. We can't help noticing the increased step-in height. I know in the past they were single and double step entry, but now three steps are...
Forum Discussion
Although trailers with a low centre of gravity might generally handle better, I suspect side wall height is more important than the total height when talking about sway.
But there's a lot of other factors too.
we recently went from a 4000# 21'x7.5'x7.2' (~LxWxH of box) Trailmanor Elkmont to an Outdoors RV Timber Ridge 240RKS 7500# 25'x8'x8', and there's less difference than I thought there would be.
My guess is that the Timber Ridge 240RKS' high weight relative to its length and high tongue weight help compensate for its increased size. Certainly passing trucks and buses have little effect (with either trailer).
Another difference in the two trailers is the suspension. The old Elkmont had a single axle Dexter Torflex, while the Timber Ridge is a double axle equalized spring suspension with shock absorbers. Pretty sure the Timber Ridge's suspension helps with sway and emergency maneuvers.
Still, when the wind is gusting *really*really* bad, the truck does feel it more, probably 'cause of the additional weight of the Timber Ridge. I now routinely use a sway bar at highway speeds, especially when the wind is gusting, but never did with the light weight Elkmont.
And the roads aren't that bad up here in Canada, compared to some I've been on in the states. The ice tends to smooth them out quite nicely ... until they fall apart in the spring anyway.;)
But there's a lot of other factors too.
we recently went from a 4000# 21'x7.5'x7.2' (~LxWxH of box) Trailmanor Elkmont to an Outdoors RV Timber Ridge 240RKS 7500# 25'x8'x8', and there's less difference than I thought there would be.
My guess is that the Timber Ridge 240RKS' high weight relative to its length and high tongue weight help compensate for its increased size. Certainly passing trucks and buses have little effect (with either trailer).
Another difference in the two trailers is the suspension. The old Elkmont had a single axle Dexter Torflex, while the Timber Ridge is a double axle equalized spring suspension with shock absorbers. Pretty sure the Timber Ridge's suspension helps with sway and emergency maneuvers.
Still, when the wind is gusting *really*really* bad, the truck does feel it more, probably 'cause of the additional weight of the Timber Ridge. I now routinely use a sway bar at highway speeds, especially when the wind is gusting, but never did with the light weight Elkmont.
And the roads aren't that bad up here in Canada, compared to some I've been on in the states. The ice tends to smooth them out quite nicely ... until they fall apart in the spring anyway.;)
