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Coachman RV claims their 5th wheels, with the cut out nose, will attain an 88 degree angle with a short bed truck. This is great and all but it doesn't really tell me much.
What is the maximum angle one might achieve while at full lock. I know it will depend on the turning radius of the pickup, but lets say its a 3rd of 4th gen super duty.
Anyone ever measured this before?
Edit: I realize I should probably be more specific. Going forward is what I mean, I know backing up you can get a much higher angle than 88 degrees.
The turning circle is somewhere between 45 & 55ft depending on model spec so unless the distance from the pin to the centre of the axles is less than half of that you will hit 90° or the cab corner which ever comes first! HTH.
I am making a few assumptions:
1 you are going forward turning the wheels full lock and never backing up.
2 the trailer tires scrub and pivot on the center of the axles. Between axles 1 and 2 for a 2 axle trailer or on axle 2 for a 3 axle trailer.
It will also vary depending on the distance from the kingpin to the axles. The longer this is the easier it is for the truck to get ahead and jacknife. If your centerline turning radius is less than hitch to axle center the truck will go past a 90 degree angle and hit at eventually. Think a long semi trailer and a short daycab semi.
quick search for some numbers
Originally Posted by 2009kr
Here is my question about turning circle after my questions on GVWR (posted in another thread)
Bill says:
I'm also very interested in the turning circle of the 176" and 160" 4x4 SRW if you happen to have that handy.
Shelby says:
I'm checking into this now.
...
Shelby says:
The 57.8 ft. (Curb-to-Curb) and 59.7ft. (Wall-to-Wall) is exclusive to the 176" SRW and DRW; this is the 8' box.
Shelby says:
The 53.0 ft (Curb-to-Curb) and 54.9 ft. (Wall-to-Wall) is unique to the 160" WB; this is the 6.75' box.
Shelby says:
Is there anything else I can help you with?
Bill says:
OK. since you asked... F450 pickup turning circle?
Shelby says:
The F-450 Pickup is unique to DRW and the 176" WB. This model has a turning diameter of 50.4 ft. (Curb-to-Curb) and 52.5 ft. (Wall-to-Wall).
So I will use 55ft wall to wall /2 for radius minus 4 for an approximate centerline turning radius of 23'6"
If your trailer kingpin to axles is close to that or longer you can turn enough to make anything hit if you just keep trying to go around a circle at full lock.
The turning circle is somewhere between 45 & 55ft depending on model spec so unless the distance from the pin to the centre of the axles is less than half of that you will hit 90° or the cab corner which ever comes first! HTH.
I swear I started typing first haha just took to long to type and hit post.
I was actually just playing with this with my truck and camper. With the flatbed I have never really needed to pay attention. I just painted and mounted a box and now it will hit if I turn too tight.
If I look in the side mirror I can see down the side of the bed and where it lines up on the compartment doors under the fifthwheel. If I past the center I need to pay attention now. Not sure if the box will stay but it sure is handy.
We spent our first year full-timing with a short bed truck (6.5') and never needed to get that close to 90 degrees. Because of bed rail height with the trailer level, we had more concerns with bed rail to overhang clearance than we did with front cap to cab clearance. We were using an Andersen hitch which is not a slider.
When we got our 5er I purposely took it to an empty parking lot and took it to 90 degrees just for my own comfort level. One less thing to be concerned about. If backing into a camp spot any more than approximately 40 degrees and your not going to be able to let the tail gate down to pull out.
Bringing this back up with some info and questions. I have not had any problems with clearance as of yet but am thinking about removing it and replacing with a roadbox with drawers.
Does anyone have what they consider a minimum turn angle with the camper attached? I do not feel 90 is needed but think I should have more than I do. I plan to measure how much I can turn when I get the camper out. I'm guessing around 45 or 50 degrees is what I can turn.
I'm not sure that a turn that tight would be great news for your trailer tires. Also, be sure that your pin box will clear your bed rails FROM THE SIDE before executing such a turn. Depending on your hitch height, that could be a limitation.
There ARE some spots where a 90 degree turn would be necessary...and also attempting to back into your own (or someone else's) driveway.
So far I have able to avoid them but that is why I am asking others.Thank you
Originally Posted by acadianbob
I'm not sure that a turn that tight would be great news for your trailer tires.....................
That is kinda what I was thinking. Hard on tires and suspension. I will do this with my equipment trailer but only if it is empty on dirt or gravel. I saw how much rubber I left on the road getting in and out of the alley behind my grandmas. Wont do that again. 20k worth of axles and tires weighing 8k empty.
Compared to my camper 12k axles (assuming 6k each since 6 lug bolt pattern sticker not legible) 14k tires and torsion suspension if that makes a difference?? It weighs 12k so right at the axle limit (I think).
There ARE some spots where a 90 degree turn would be necessary...and also attempting to back into your own (or someone else's) driveway.
In a little over 2-1/2 years of full-timing (and we've stayed in about 150 places during that time), I've never needed to get close to 90 degrees. At 90 degrees you're only moving the front of the trailer and spinning the rest of the rig around the axles. Not useful in my opinion.
Why hell no..not in Texas! Come to the NorthEast...you'll find MANY campgrounds where ya gotta make 90's to back into spots!
We have six grandkids in Maryland (out in the country north of Baltimore) and come there all the time. We've Camped in Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and New Jersey. We spent the second half of summer and most of the fall in New England last year. Stayed everywhere from Buzzard's Bay up to Acadia and then across to Lake Champlain on the back roads (my wife went to graduate school in Vermont). Never had a need for 90 degrees.
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