How well does a 28BH track behind tow vehicle

[TecheMan]

Never pulled anything that long before. I have a 20ft bass boat. The wheels are set well toward the back and wider than truck's stance so i'm use to wide turns but I!m wondering how far off the TV track would a 28bh be. I'm wondering about getting it home and having to turn it on some smaller roads. And does anyone know if a 26bh would follow the TV any tighter. That is as small as my DW will go. I know this is a difficult question to answer but the street coming on to my street is about a two lane road at best meaning two cars can just get by. There is some accessible shoulders about 5ft. Also is it better to turn as wide as possible and turn the TV real sharp are does it track better with a more cicular turn as wide as you can turn.Sorry so complex just never pulled anything like this and don't have a clue. I would hate to buy something and I can't get it home. Is there any thing out there that can make knowing this any easier.
Any advice welcome. TecheMan

[TecheMan]

APT wrote:
Thanks for clarification. If only towing home, then I would not bother with spending anything on the truck if you plan to sell it anyway.

Mirrors for $39.

Yeh depending on how well I can get the TT on my street will determine weather I get a have to get a newer F150 with much higher tow rating or a F250 which is what I want.
Thanks TecheMan

[APT]

Thanks for clarification. If only towing home, then I would not bother with spending anything on the truck if you plan to sell it anyway.

Mirrors for $39.

[TecheMan]

APT wrote:
I don't think you'll be very pleased with how well a 1998 F150 tows a 6000+ pound TT.

Keep overdrive off. Get some towing mirrors, I like the CIPA custom fit ones when I has a 2003 F-150. Flush and change all your fluids.

I could not agree with you more. That's why longest trip will be from the dealer. We will stay close to home until I upgrade the TV. We have several campgrounds less than a hour drive from home. I will check out those mirrors also.
Thanks TecheMan

[TecheMan]

camperforlife wrote:
I found that my 28 ft trailer requires less of a wide turn than my boat. The boat axles are further back on the trailer requiring a wider turn and the boat is also is slower to respond when backing. The trailer will always jackknife quicker backing than the boat. Just like anything else, a little time, a little practice and you will be a pro with either.

What size boat do you have? Thanks TecheMan

[Bonefish]

I find it is easer to back my 33' TT than a bass boat trailer especially when empty.

[APT]

I don't think you'll be very pleased with how well a 1998 F150 tows a 6000+ pound TT.

Keep overdrive off. Get some towing mirrors, I like the CIPA custom fit ones when I has a 2003 F-150. Flush and change all your fluids.

[rrev]

I have a 28bh and it sounds like my street is even narrower than yours, just two lanes with no extras. The hardest part for me is backing into the driveway. I just have to come at it from the east if I want to put the camper on the east half. Don't worry about it though, you'll be fine.

[camperforlife]

I found that my 28 ft trailer requires less of a wide turn than my boat. The boat axles are further back on the trailer requiring a wider turn and the boat is also is slower to respond when backing. The trailer will always jackknife quicker backing than the boat. Just like anything else, a little time, a little practice and you will be a pro with either.

[TecheMan]

6dot6 wrote:
never hurts to go wider than you need bud. easier to come back from a wide turn than to have to back up to fix a turn you cut too short.

Yeh you right I will turn as wide as I can coming on to my street. I was concerned with my narrow street that I couldn't turn wide enough. But I feel better now that the track of the TT won't be that far off of my boats track. I thought it might be a whole lane different or so but it sounds like it's about a half lane or so.
Thanks TecheMan

[6dot6]

never hurts to go wider than you need bud. easier to come back from a wide turn than to have to back up to fix a turn you cut too short.

[TecheMan]

skipnchar wrote:
A LOT about just how wide you have to turn will depend on your tow vehicle. I have only an alley width (with utility poles right on the corner on each side) to get to my parking place. The turn was not possible with my F 250 and 58 feet overall length but it's a fairly easy turn with the F 150 55 feet over all length, combination. Same trailer making the same turn.

I have a F150 is your trailer a 28BH?
Thanks TecheMan

[Dtaylor]

TecheMan wrote:

Dtaylor wrote:
I tow a 21ft Stratos and a 30ft TT. The main issue I had, and still have sometimes is judging distance when backing so I always use a spotter. Turns, especially sharp turns, you have to watch out more for tail swing on a TT that you do not have with a bass boat. The wheels on a TT are more center mounted than rear mounted like on a boat trailer. Other than the fact that a TT catches more air, I really cannot tell much difference as far as highway towing. I think the biggest issue is your confidence/comfort level. As for the width, from outside to outside, they are about the same. We have some really narrow roads that my butt cheek pinches the seat on when towing both, so that part is the same. I think you are over thinking. It becomes second nature just like it has with your boat

Thanks I am extremely good at backing my boat. The key is knowing where your wheels are when starting to back up. They will start making the turn from that point and continue to do so. The tail will swing to follow the wheels. So if you get your wheels where they need to be before backing half the job is won. My biggest concern was will I make wide turn with this long TT and still not beable to get it on my street. Thanks TecheMan I appreciate this I really do. It is so nice to have a place like this where others are willing to help one another with stuff like this.

To answer about how wide to swing to get onto your street, You may have to swing slightly wider than you do with your boat. If you are turning from a narrow street onto a narrow street you may have to swing a bit wider. When I am making right turns I will go ahead and take a lane and a half just to be on the safe side even though I may not really need it. Just take the turn slow and watch the track of your wheels in mirror and make corrections as needed.

[skipnchar]

A LOT about just how wide you have to turn will depend on your tow vehicle. I have only an alley width (with utility poles right on the corner on each side) to get to my parking place. The turn was not possible with my F 250 and 58 feet overall length but it's a fairly easy turn with the F 150 55 feet over all length, combination. Same trailer making the same turn.

[Taz_23]

TecheMan wrote:

Taz 23 wrote:
Towing the travel trailer will not be any more difficult than your bass boat. You will however want to keep an eye out for overhead obsticles (such as tree branches) that you would not even notice with your boat. Take your time and practice and you will soon be able to pull it and back it up easy enough.

So it tracks similar to the bass boat. I noticed the wheels on the TT are further back just in distance than the boat but they are underneath the TT where the bass boat the wheels are toward the back of the trailer but outside makeing it's wheel stance wider than the tow vehicle. I currently have no trouble getting my bass boat home and in the yard. I have a two car driveway with the right side well open to the back yard.
Thanks Techeman

You will find your boat trailer and travel trailer wheels are very close in width. The tt looks wider because of the big box on top of it. The little bit of wheel base differance will not make any real differance in turning radius. You will be fine. Take your time til you get more comfortable with it. Have fun and good luck.:)