Turning Radius: Fifth Wheel vs. Bumper Pull
Another member posted a question about learning to drive a Class A motorhome and one of the issues that was raised is learning to turn a corner without clipping the curb with the back wheel or hitting...
Forum Discussion
Hannibal wrote:
The pivot point for the 5th wheel is 3~" ahead of the rear axle of the truck. The pivot point for a TT is about 5' behind the axle. The hitch point of the TT will swing "out" to track closer to the rear wheels of the truck in a turn. The 5th wheel's hitch point being slightly ahead of the rear axle will pull it closer to the inside of the turn and closer to the curb. The difference isn't huge but after going from our 3rd 5th wheel back to a 32.5' TT, I prefer the TT in all but straight interstate towing. You need to swing wide either way. As said above, I watch my mirrors and start my turn when I'm ready for the trailer to start it's turn.
You also can note the requirement for more pin weight on the 5th wheel sometimes moves the wheels back farther than a TT. Also increasing the radius. Of course 5th 2heels can also get Silly long too, :E
