Class A/DP vs 5th/Trailer - Rough Roads Perspective

[Smitty77]

Hi Gang - Have been offline, except for random drop in's on the Alaska/Canada Travel section... Combo of too many things in life going on, and then not enough cell/wifi coverage to participate.

Hope all are well:)!

No! Not another thread full threads as we all explain why we did is the best way to go:)! Many, many good posts on the Pro's/Con's on Class A vs 5th or Trailers, a few with Gasser vs DP in the mix too:)!

I may have missed this over the years, but I noted something while we were Chassis and Coach Construction Testing along sections of the ALCAN. On real rough sections, potholes, ice heaves, and long sections of gravel roads. I noticed that most 5th's were traveling at about 1/4 to 1/3 speed faster then I was in our DP. My wife asked why?

I said that while we are hearing the 'coach related noises', that I thought that the occupants of the pick-trucks (1/2 on up to 1 tons) - were not hearing the coach 'talking' to them. I also said that larger DP's are from 30K on up to well over 40KLbs. Even with air suspensions, admittedly with different levels of suspensions depending upon where the coach/chassis is in the model lineup, that the driver and passenger are sitting right on top of the front suspension. Versus sitting in the cab of a truck.

As with DP and different levels of suspensions, I understand that 5th's hitches and suspension sophistication levels can also add to the comfort of the total combo of rig and 5th on the road. (Not sure about trailers, ad I don't know if they can be as cushioned on the attachment point to the two vehicles as 5th's can?)

Why mention this? Well on the Pro and Con of Class A/DP vs 5th - I don't recall the ability to travel faster over rougher roads as a Pro for the 5ths.

And one LOL! comment from a conversation on this subject with a Mobile Suites at Fast Eddies in Tok. He said 'Hell, looking at how some of content has shifted while driving over rough roads. I'd suspect we'd drive lots slower if we could hear the 'house sounds' over every hole or bump on the way!' Made me laugh, as he then said 'What I don't hear, I don't slow down for!'...

Just info sharing and pondering...

Best to all, be safe, have fun,
Smitty
Note: Is it true that Sir Executive went to the non LP side of Samsung fridges? Or, did someone high jack his handle!!!

[JimM68]

Nope.
Sorry Smitty, but what is true is that the driver is only aware of what the tow vehicle is doing. As long as things are not completely out of control, you just motor on in ignorance.

I "could" drive my DP a lot faster on bad roads than I do, but it wouldn't be comfortable, and my DW would be screaming at me to slow down.

[Smitty77]

willald wrote:
Sooo, in other words, with a towable RV you can go faster on rough roads 'cause you're doing the equivalent of putting your head in the sand like an ostrich. You aren't hearing all the noises your RV makes when it bounces down the road, so you assume all is OK and go a little faster. But, in a MH, you hear and realize the beating you're putting your RV through, so you go slower?

..I see that as more of an advantage for the MH than a disadvantage. I'd rather hear those noises, know just how bad I am or am not abusing things, so I can pick an appropriate speed accordingly. Better to get to your destination with your RV still completely intact and all appliances, etc. working properly, than to get there sooner with the chance of all the beating, bumping having damaged something.

Perhaps I'm missing the point here, but I'm not seeing where not knowing about the damage you're doing with higher speeds, makes it OK to go faster and an advantage to go faster? 🙂

I'm not trying to make that point, though I understand it could be a reality that not knowing, allows some to go faster. I was wondering if the less weight of say the 5th along with some of the higher tech suspensions and bed hitches, allowed a less 'impact' ride for the coach itself?

If it is true that the 5th's can travel safely at a bit faster speed over rough roads, then it is a 'Plus' for 5th over the Class A/DP - where speed and making time is important.

Best,
Smitty

[mtrumpet]

Ductape wrote:
You are spot on. I rode briefly in our TT and Fiver when we had them just to see what was going on. It was alarming, even on smooth roads. Fiver was worse, because of higher CG.

Try a brief ride in your Toad sometime if you really want to know what helpless feels like. 🙂

Did the same...Was helping a friend work out a problem with his TT. Had to have him take me for a (short) ride with me riding back in his TT in order to determine a root cause for the problem we were trying to fix. YIKES! Unbelievable what goes on back there when driving down the road! :E

[willald]

Sooo, in other words, with a towable RV you can go faster on rough roads 'cause you're doing the equivalent of putting your head in the sand like an ostrich. You aren't hearing all the noises your RV makes when it bounces down the road, so you assume all is OK and go a little faster. But, in a MH, you hear and realize the beating you're putting your RV through, so you go slower?

..I see that as more of an advantage for the MH than a disadvantage. I'd rather hear those noises, know just how bad I am or am not abusing things, so I can pick an appropriate speed accordingly. Better to get to your destination with your RV still completely intact and all appliances, etc. working properly, than to get there sooner with the chance of all the beating, bumping having damaged something.

Perhaps I'm missing the point here, but I'm not seeing where not knowing about the damage you're doing with higher speeds, makes it OK to go faster and an advantage to go faster? 🙂

[ncrowley]

When I purchased my first horse trailer, an experienced person made me ride in the trailer while he pulled it. I learned how rough things can be and how much you are pulled to the sides when cornering. It taught me to be slow and careful when there were horses back there.

[hipower]

I like to think of myself as pretty fearless but riding in something being towed really opens your eyes.

Many years ago a group of guys went to the Nascar race at Pocono and we broke down coming home in the old Winnie. Decision was made that the best solution was to be towed home so we called a tow truck to come and get us. Obviously there were too many to all ride in the tow truck and no other way for everyone to get home so the driver said close the drapes and ride inside.

That scared the he!! out of me and is an experience I never want to repeat. Quite possibly to worst 150 miles on the highway I've ever experienced. Helpless doesn't begin to describe the feelings experienced. Of course it is also illegal in any jurisdiction that I am aware of also.

[Ductape]

You are spot on. I rode briefly in our TT and Fiver when we had them just to see what was going on. It was alarming, even on smooth roads. Fiver was worse, because of higher CG.

Try a brief ride in your Toad sometime if you really want to know what helpless feels like. 🙂

[the_bear_II]

With my 15,000lb 5th wheel I recently hit a bump on I-15 north of Escondido at 60 MPH. My wife was following and she says all four tires of the 5th wheel came off the ground. When we got home, I discovered the right rear spring was broken (19 years old). Stuff inside wasn't jumbled any worse than normal.

When travelling desert dirt roads with the 5th wheel I crawl along due to the side to side sway. That's when the stuff inside gets jumble if I go too fast.