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Old 10-08-2016, 09:11 AM   #1
nesparky
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Trailer wheelbase

Just sitting here wondering why don't our fifth wheels have our axles and such more toward the back like a horse trailer or semi trailer?
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Old 10-08-2016, 09:35 AM   #2
JRTJH
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Re: Trailer wheelbase

Essentially, it's a "balancing act" to "teeter" the trailer so the pin weight stays about 20-25% of the total trailer weight. Moving the axles back would increase the pin weight, which would necessitate a heavier truck to carry the added weight. If you look at most "horse trailers" or "livestock trailers with the axles further back, they are almost always towed by dually trucks. Additionally, many horse trailers/livestock trailers are loaded from back to front, so having the axles further back allows the trailer to remain "pin heavy" even if all the weight is in the back half of the trailer.
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Old 10-09-2016, 09:58 AM   #3
goducks
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Re: Trailer wheelbase

JRTJH is right on. Also 5th wheel trailers are more forgiving when towing because of the hitch spot. Virtually no sway. TT's on the other hand need the axles more rearward to tow straighter. Most guys having sway issues are with TT's that have the axles more towards the middle. Boat trailer axles are towards the rear to carry the heavy motor. They tow pretty straight without the need for WDH with sway control even though most of the weight is towards the rear. That's why you see rear kitchen TT's with the axles more rearwards.
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Old 10-10-2016, 05:15 AM   #4
notanlines
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Re: Trailer wheelbase

Not to mention trying to back into a tight spot with the axles farther to the rear. Fully one third of the back-in spots at RV parks would be inaccessible.
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