Jayco-noslide
Galesburg,Il., USA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/24/2004
View Profile
 Offline
|
We've used a small 5th wheel for 6 years but due to the numerous difficulties we are having with a newer truck with a short box and higher sides we may have to switch to a pull behind and there's a lot we don't know. First, when the length is stated, is that just for the box part or is it from front of hitch to rear of bumper(important because of our driveway)? Second, I know a pull behind could be easier to back in some ways but how sharp will it turn in order to back into our driveway which is at a right angle to the street? Since I now get a 26 ft(bumper to hitch) 5th wheel in there (not easy) can I get a pull behind in of the same 26 ft.(bumper to hitch) length or should I go a little shorter?
Jayco-noslide
|
Jayco-noslide
Galesburg,Il., USA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/24/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Another Ques. If you turn too short, do you tear up something or does it just not turn any further?
|
southernsky
Ponchatoula La.
Full Member
Joined: 03/30/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Best thing to do is bring your tape measure with you. I'm new to a 5th wheel after years of bumper pull there is a difference when backing.
2007 Dodge 3500 DRW Mega Cab 5.9 CTD 4X4 (Fat Betty)
2012 Primetime Crusader 320RLT
PullRite SuperGlide,5th Airborne,Firestone RideRite
|
fullautodave
currently in Rogers, Ar
Senior Member
Joined: 07/24/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I think most trailer lengths are "box" only. You truck and trailer will be a lot longer with a trailer than a fifth wheel of the same length. I never measured my truck and 26 ft travel trailer but according to the driveway I had at the time, it was about the same length as the same truck with a 38 foot fiver. Fiver will turn shorter, you cannot "jacknife" a travel trailer. Turn to short and TT will be damaged ( hitch or TV bumper ).
Whether or not you trade trailers is your decision but if your fiver is only six years old there are lots of short bed trucks pulling those trailers out there. Slider hitch and moving springs above axles should solve those problems.
2009 Mobile Suites TKSB3
2008 Ford F-450 Superduty
2009 Jeep Rubicon toad
1999 Bigfoot C1011FR
|
Bonefish
Midland, TX
Senior Member
Joined: 01/08/2008
View Profile
|
Our 29' Wildcat measures 31.5' bumper to ball.
Hitched to the F250 the rig measures 53' from bumper to bumper.
Bonefish
|
|
|
redwake
Visalia, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/18/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
TT len is typically measured by the "box". not hitch to bumper.
i have a 30' hitch to bumper... my street is 30' wide, my approach to my gate is 30' long and 12-14' wide, my gate is 10' wide, my parking spot behind my gate is about 35' long.
i have to back over a curb so i use some lumber to build stairs to get it up there. i usually end up crossing over that curb 3 times because she has to be pretty strait to fit through the gate.. this also involves borrwing a neighbors drive way to pull up into.
thought id share my experiance with my current setup as it pertains to your question.
to you last question if i jacknife my A frame is long enough to where the trailer never comes in contact with the TV. now i'm sure if i wanted to prove myself wrong i could make it happen but it never has... just dont leave the tail gate down.
TT: 08 Monterey 27 PT by Extreme RV
TV: 05 Eddie Bauer Expedition w/5.4L 3.31 Gears 
Hitched with a Husky WD & SC.
Powered by Champion 3500
|
JAL_Camper
Raleigh, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 07/17/2004
View Profile
|
Listed length may depend on manuf.
Our Jayco is 32'6" long (brochure states that as length, too), but model is 298BHS, which means 29'8" "box" the differnce being hitch.
Obvioulsy, your combo length will be your TV plus how far hitch sticks out from TV (6" +/-) plus total length of TT. With a Fiver, you get to subtract numbers . . .
JAL
2002 Burb 2500 LT, 8.1L, Autoride, 4x4
2005 Jayco Eagle 298BHS Check It OutReese HP 1,200 Lb. Bars WD/Dual Cam HP Sway Control/Prodigy® Brake Control
Family: Two Baby Boomers with Two Generation Y Kids -- All RV Generation
CAMPED IN:
|
