older TTs with wheels on the rear frame/bumper

[Doug33]

This may have been discussed before, but I could not find anything with search. On my drive down to Florida this week, I passed several older TTs (appeared to be 20+ years old) that had small wheels mounted on the back bumper or on the rear frame. I have not seen these wheels on newer TTs.

First, what is the purpose of the wheels, and second, why do only older models have these wheels?

[Bumpyroad]

that reminds me that there used to be a roller sold that was bolted down under the hitch ball.
bumpy

[calewjohnson]

JJBIRISH wrote:
The drag bars are there to make a lot of noise and warn the driver of the condition… the idea is to stop the driver so he can adjust the exit angle and eliminate the condition… they are not there to protect the plumbing, but are the sacrificial lamb if the driver decides to continue on… the good thing about the drag bars is that they will bend before damaging the frame, those stupid wheels won’t…

And boy do they bend....I was pulling out of one of the fuel stations at the South of the Border stop at SC/NC line...I was all the way out in the road and had a tailgater...so I slowed down and drug the tail through the dip (tried to go cock-eyed as it looked like I was not the first), when I stopped to check, it was dante almost 90 degrees over. Once I unhooked, connected a wire rachet strap to my receiver and the trailer and slowly pulled it straight....

Cale

[JJBIRISH]

The drag bars are there to make a lot of noise and warn the driver of the condition… the idea is to stop the driver so he can adjust the exit angle and eliminate the condition… they are not there to protect the plumbing, but are the sacrificial lamb if the driver decides to continue on… the good thing about the drag bars is that they will bend before damaging the frame, those stupid wheels won’t…

[PAThwacker]

I clear the slope of my driveway by 2" . I need 15" and serious ground clearance on future tt purchases.

[Nvr2loud]

My Trail Cruiser sits very low to the ground, I have hitch ball height set as low as possible just to keep the trailer level when towing. I have about 16" clearance from the bottom of the frame to the ground at the back. I had scissor jacks back there but broke them off a couple of times so I moved them right behind the wheels. Now I just have a-arm stabilizers back there that don't seem to hit. The bumper has no scrape marks, but I go very slow and careful when I am close to touching ground.

[Tvov]

Doug33 wrote:
This may have been discussed before, but I could not find anything with search. On my drive down to Florida this week, I passed several older TTs (appeared to be 20+ years old) that had small wheels mounted on the back bumper or on the rear frame. I have not seen these wheels on newer TTs.

First, what is the purpose of the wheels, and second, why do only older models have these wheels?

Wheels are to help protect rear from dragging. I don't think many campers came from the factory with the wheels, so...

A lot of "older" campers have the wheels because the owners put them on at some point after owning the camper for awhile.

[Bumpyroad]

camperdave wrote:
I have the drag bar V type things on mine, they drag occasionally. Not sure why I would want wheels instead, the drag bars are simple, effective, and don't reduce clearance. The only time I've hit them is into/out of gas stations and driveways, not high speed stuff.

that is sort of like what I had on one of my early motorhomes, at that time camping world sold little casters/wheels that would bolt onto these drag bars.
bumpy

[calewjohnson]

Doug33 wrote:

Dtaylor wrote:
Most of those sit low to the ground. They are there to "roll" when going over grade changes that would otherwise drag the frame or bottom of TT. BTW, they are still available should you wish to add them

My new TT sits very high off the ground - much higher than the previous TT. But even the previous TT never dragged on the ground. I take it older TT models had smaller tires and a lower suspension?

It makes sense on real long TTs, but the ones I saw were 25' max.

I have drag bars on my Fleetwood TH, they have been drug like crazy. Every once in a while, I have to find a sturdy tree and a rachet strap to hand crank them back straight. As mentioned, it is usually gas station parking lots it happens in.

Cale

[darsben]

V shaped drives out of gas stations are the worst culprits The low spot by the curb with elevations into drive and out of roadway

[camperdave]

I have the drag bar V type things on mine, they drag occasionally. Not sure why I would want wheels instead, the drag bars are simple, effective, and don't reduce clearance. The only time I've hit them is into/out of gas stations and driveways, not high speed stuff.

[craiger4]

I know a few people whose drag bars wore out and they added wheels.

[Gdetrailer]

Doug33 wrote:

Dtaylor wrote:
Most of those sit low to the ground. They are there to "roll" when going over grade changes that would otherwise drag the frame or bottom of TT. BTW, they are still available should you wish to add them

My new TT sits very high off the ground - much higher than the previous TT. But even the previous TT never dragged on the ground. I take it older TT models had smaller tires and a lower suspension?

It makes sense on real long TTs, but the ones I saw were 25' max.

My 26ft 1984 Komfort doesn't have wheels but does have "drag bars" and it is a good thing too, they are quite worn and BENT from the previous owners usage in the past. I myself have had them come into play a few times over the years.

Mine double to "protect" the black tank and associated low hanging plumbing too boot from getting scraped :E

[69_Avion]

My Avion has large tires but it is long and low. It tows great but it does drag.

[Terryallan]

Mine doesn't have wheels, but it does have drag bars.