Quote:
Originally Posted by CWSWine
Is just me but I don't like to get over 60 or 70 degrees. Seems that more than that the tires/axles are taking one heck twisting action and stress being put on the side wall. I got into some tight places by just pulling forward few feet then backup keep the angles less than 90.
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I agree with you, and what you describe is exactly what anyone towing a "bumper pull" trailer has to do to negotiate the same angles. They are limited by design, to about 45 degrees maximum backing angles and they do just fine in every campground I've visited. I am, like you, very reluctant to get my fifth wheel anywhere even close to 90 degrees. To me, the stress and twisting forces are more than I want to put on my rig. So, when I look at a site (I always get out and look/plan how to maneuver into a site and also plan how I'm going to get out of that same site) I consider where and how to pull forward so I can make the angles without having to put my rig into a position that would result in angles such as those in pictures in this thread.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't want to subject my rig to that kind of "wear and tear". To me, it's like "throwing an expensive tool in a bucket" rather than returning it to a protective carrying case.... It just seems like "not taking good care" of equipment...
I'm sure others have very different feelings, and for them, that's perfectly OK. It's just not "in my nature" to subject my equipment to what I feel is abuse. My opinion (we all have them) is that a significant number of trailer tire/wheel, suspension, bearing and brake problems are, at least in part, caused by excessive stress placed on the components from actions such as sharp backing angles.
I don't want to argue the point, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and they are responsible for their rig, so if it works for them, it's a good thing and I support their reasoning for wanting a sliding hitch. I've just never found a reason to want one or encountered a situation where I even wished for one. Maybe I've lead a "sheltered RV life", who knows ???