Community Forums

Jim h · 06-14-2006, 01:27 AM

Does anyone carry kpassengers in a fifth wheel when traveling, or have you heard of it being done? We know someone who does and it doesn't seem like a very good idea, or very safe either.

Jim h · 06-14-2006, 01:27 AM

Does anyone carry kpassengers in a fifth wheel when traveling, or have you heard of it being done? We know someone who does and it doesn't seem like a very good idea, or very safe either.

Hitchhiker · 06-14-2006, 01:56 AM

I have never done it. However, I understand it's legal in many states so long as there is some form of two way communication established.

I don't see any big problem with it when it's legal, it'd be a good way for someone to catch a nap or for one to sleep while the other drives.

RustyJC · 06-14-2006, 03:32 AM

I guess I'm going to differ with Richard on this one. Have you ever seen an RV in the median after an accident? Generally, they come apart like a 50 cent suitcase in a rainstorm. I wouldn't even allow our Shelties to ride in the 5th wheel, let alone humans.

JMHO....

Rusty

Two Bit · 06-14-2006, 03:47 AM

For a good video description of this go rent "The Long, Long Trailer" with Lucy & Ricky. She decides she is going to make dinner in the trailer while Ricky drives. I need to go see "RV" and see if it is better than the Lucy classic.

I know a few humans (that I dont like)that could ride in mine but Murphy would never be allowed to

Hitchhiker · 06-14-2006, 06:02 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I guess I'm going to differ with Richard on this one. Have you ever seen an RV in the median after an accident? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No problem with differing, that's what makes these forums interesting.

I've seen pulverized compact cars, demolished truck tractors, pickups with their cabs torn off, and many other various vehicles wrecked and scattered about the medians. Folks still ride in them.

I'd rather be in a wreck riding in a trailer than to be in a smash up on a motorcycle. There's a certain amount of risk in everything we do.

RustyJC · 06-14-2006, 06:11 AM

Yep, it's certainly OK to differ. As my dear old departed Dad used to say, "People can disagree without being disagreeable."

My concern with someone riding in the 5th wheel is that 5th wheel trailers aren't governed by occupant safety standards, while the trucks are. I'm certainly not a huge fan of government regulation, but the fact is that the truck has proper seat belts, crush zones, a roof that has to meet rollover standards, etc. - the 5th wheel has none of these. If the worst happens and things turn to apple butter, I want to give people the best chance to come away alive and uninjured as possible.

As far as motorcycles are concerned, I ride a BMW K1200GT, but I'm a believer in ATGATT - all the (safety) gear, all the time. Motorcycle riding is inherently more dangerous than traveling in a car, so why not minimize the dangers as much as possible?

Again, JMHO.

Rusty

Riverdog · 06-14-2006, 06:52 AM

I agree with RustyJC -- I to am an ATGATT believer. We take our camper & Goldwing a lot - I always give way when on the bike (even if I am in the right). I doesn't matter if I had right of way if I'm dead.

That defensive attitude carrie's over to trailering & driving in general.

Curtis F. · 06-14-2006, 02:14 PM

On any public roads, it is not OK if I am driving or it is my equipment. I would strongly discourage any of my extended family from doing it with their own equipment. I might consider it in a campground or moving the TT from the front yard to the back yard where expected speed is less than 5 MPH.

Curt

TXiceman · 06-14-2006, 03:13 PM

I going with the, I won't ride in a trailer and I won't pull one with a passenger. If you get in an accident, you don't stand a chance. The walls have no support and everything in there will flying like drunken geese.

Ken

charliez · 06-15-2006, 06:54 AM

Our older son refused to get up one morning that we were pulling out, so I pulled up to the dump station with him in bed. He was out the moment it stopped. I would definitley not let anyone ride in our going down thr raod.

cindik · 06-19-2006, 03:06 PM

I would never allow any of my family to ride in a RV going down the road. Even if it is legal in some states, it is unsafe.

Ray,IN · 06-19-2006, 06:18 PM

Yes, in some states it is legal to ride in a travel trailer or 5er; unwise, but legal. It is quite similar to placing an egg in an empty shoebox and pulling it along with a string. Everythings fine so far, oops, you rounded a corner and hit the shoebox against a stone curb, crushing part of it. Wonder what happens to the egg? Hey, I just made an analogy!

Toterman (David) · 07-05-2006, 02:41 PM

I have traveled some distance in the back of a fifth wheel and let me tell you I would never do it again. The ride is not very good, the best place is up over the hitch and you feel every road bump straight up through the unit. If you move to the rear you need dramamine, this fiver was and older unit and did not have shocks. It was a very unpleasent event and would never do it again.

David