Community Forums

Wanderer23 · 07-24-2018, 08:41 AM

How well does a towed vehicle track behind a motorhome?

43ft Class A with full size pickup...…….OAL 65ft, Demco tow bar

Just wait a extra second longer to make any turns and watch mirrors more closely for traffic, etc?

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks and have a great day!

JohnBoyToo · 07-24-2018, 09:01 AM

like it's not there !
the one thing will be changing lanes - I actually have our rear camera set so I can see when the other lane is past the end of my toad...

but, if you think about it,

the coach itself is more of a concern in turns than the toad...
the rear of the coach acts as a lever to pull the pivot point of the toad further OUT in the curve - the 'swing' they call it...

i.e. if you are very close to an obstacle on the left and turn right then the back left of the coach actually moves LEFT..

Gary RVRoamer · 07-24-2018, 10:07 AM

Good advice from JohnBoyToo. A rear engine (diesel pusher) coach has less "swing out" than a gas coach because the rear overhang is shorter, but the difference isn't worth much discussion. The back swings out just about enough to counteract the tendency of the towed car to cut the corner and track inside the coach, so in most cases it stays more-or-less right behind. There are variations due to different tow bar length, coach length, coach wheelbase, toad front end set-up, etc., but they usually net out to only small differences. In a sharp turn the toad typically tracks a bit inside, so if the coach rear wheels just barely clear an obstacle, the toad might bump it. Keep an eye out on 90 degree turns until you have a feel for how your particular rig acts.

lwmcguire · 07-28-2018, 08:40 AM

We tow a F150 Crew long box or a Escape on a dolly. both follow very well and no issues at all. As the other post the length when changing lanes is the main thing do watch. And parking of course as you need the extra space with the F150 to get out of the other lanes or get straightened out. I also have a Demco tow bar. We are 43 feet long to start with as well.

Crasher · 07-28-2018, 09:27 AM

I have found that I do not have to allow any extra space for turning when towing our Avalanche. Only on the sharpest turn, do I get concerned for the rear of it. This would only occur when making a very tight u-turn and the front of the Avalanche gets very close to the corner of the coach. It's a different story when towing our 8.5' wide trailer.

Ivylog · 07-28-2018, 10:32 AM

I felt the same as above and I’ve never had a problem BUT I was recently in a CG where the entire last half of the side of a SUV was more than just scratched behind a 42’ Bluebird.