The assistance and insight that you guys have provided me with during the past few months, while I navigate the tow vehicle decision process have been invaluable. Now that I've decided on a 5.9L MC 4x4, the task of storing it and the future 5er come into play.

Being that we have some small acreage, and I intend to do some paving for other purposes as well, locating the pad for the 5er has created a considerable amount of thought. Not only has the bump in oil prices directly the affected the cost of ashpalt, but also the cost of grading and moving dirt. Therefore I'm attempting to design a turn-around parking situation, that is efficient and useful.

With the short bed Mega Cab having a turning radius of 52 feet, what would be a realistic turning radius with a 30 foot 5er? What can I expect on inside tracking? Furthermore, wanting to provide for some margin of error, I'd assume that the 5er wouldn't have the a tapered nose or other type of feature that is found on the Heartlands. Due to the pre-existing road configurations, backing up to turn around is not an option, hence it will work much better as a pull through.

Here on the Central Coast there aren't too many rv dealers, however I did meet with one and offered to pay a driver $100/hr, with a 2 hr min., to drive the 10 miles to our home and check things out with a TV and 5er. So far nothing's surfaced.

Thanks again...

 

that is a good question. the first thing to rember is a tt will track close to your tuck plus the additional side to side measuerment. most trailers are max limit of either 8' or 8'6" depending on the setup. Now the tricky part of a 5er is the wheels will always cut a smaller radius than the tow vehicle. So the answer wil be relative to the space u have to make the turn. i would go at least 12' wide i say this because i have from time to time had to put mine in local storage and they only have slips that are 10' x 45' and it takes alot of work to get it in. m The other thing to concider is yes u can turn as sharp as the truck will allow but the twisting action on the tires and axles is very high. To high for me to be comfortable anyway. the manufacture told me it can do it but it just dosent look like it does the suspension any favors. What i would do is drive the projected route and mark your own tracks then go from the outside of the track on the inner radius and add 4' from there keeping a total of 12' wide. for most turns that should be ok just rember the tighter the turn the smaller the radius on the traler and the longer the trailer the saller as well

 

You could measure the truck and the trailer footprint. Then cut out a scale model of each and sketch out a driveway and try different layouts. I call it "playing with paper dolls" but it works.

 

One thing to think about, is get yourself a PULL RITE superslide hitch, these are awesome for short box pickups. I have one and would never go back. I can physically jackknife my truck and trailer without ever worrying about hitting the cab. I pull a 341 RLQS jayco designer, and I can get through some pretty sticky situations

Kevin

 

So do you have a slider if you aren't running a 5er with tapered nose?

Anyway, my 30' 5th wheel will follow the truck fine at full lock, but it's a long bed, and also I try to avoid turning the trailer that tight on pavement. Also the 5th wheel does track inside the truck by a considerable margin.

I think the best thing (if possible) might be to put off the paving until you have your trailer and your truck. Then you can see how it does pulling in and out at a turn you are comfortable with... and use the tracks in the grass as a guide.

Right now I've got mine just parked in my yard, and have to back into a 90 degree blind side turn to get in there... I'd like to put a paved pad and a carport there, but I've got a powerline drop in the way that would cost thousands to move, and also I'm looking to upgrade to a 39' unit... so I don't want to put the pad and concrete down only to find out the next, bigger trailer won't make the turn...

Anyhow, good luck. Make sure the circle you put in will accomodate the next, bigger rig, even if you think today that you never want anything over 30'...