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01-29-2014, 10:28 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,574
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Trailer tongue extension
I have a 24 foot enclosed trailer and the tongue length is 36 inches. This is to short to allow the RV to make any sharp turns. Is there a recommendation or suggestion for tongue length for towing behind a motorhome. I'd assume about 50 maybe 52 inches would be good but would like other thoughts on this. I didn't find comments on tongue length on my irv2 search.
Thanks
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Bob, Sandi,Tasha a Frenchie and Tiki a Skipperkey
SW OREGON 2004 Dolphin
If towing: a 2006 Mini Cooper or 2015 RAM Limited 4X4 or a 86 El Camino on a trailer
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01-29-2014, 12:28 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,927
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Have you taken it out into a big parking lot and actually tried it out? I'd be surprised you can't make the tightest turn in the motorhome, unless the trailer was home built. Any receiver extender will reduce load limit, increase 'whip-lash' motion as RV goes over bumps, and perhaps make your combined rig over most state's length limits. Just some things to think about.
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Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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01-29-2014, 12:39 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: AB
Posts: 7,587
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BFlinn181
Have you taken it out into a big parking lot and actually tried it out? I'd be surprised you can't make the tightest turn in the motorhome, unless the trailer was home built. Any receiver extender will reduce load limit, increase 'whip-lash' motion as RV goes over bumps, and perhaps make your combined rig over most state's length limits. Just some things to think about.
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X2, Just off the top of my head, I think my BlueOx is about the same (30-34") distance and there is no problem turning.
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2019 Unity LTV CB, pushed by a 2013 Honda CRV, BlueOx Baseplate, Aventa Bar & Patriot Brake
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01-29-2014, 02:55 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Graham, WA
Posts: 765
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Rv and sharp turns. Two terms you don't often hear together.
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2006 Gulfstream Friendship G7, Cat C7 and Allison 6 spd
Honda VTX and Cruiser Lift on the back
Blue Ox Aladdin, Brake Buddy, 2019 Chevy Blazer RS toad
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01-29-2014, 03:01 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,574
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BFlinn181
Have you taken it out into a big parking lot and actually tried it out? I'd be surprised you can't make the tightest turn in the motorhome, unless the trailer was home built. Any receiver extender will reduce load limit, increase 'whip-lash' motion as RV goes over bumps, and perhaps make your combined rig over most state's length limits. Just some things to think about.
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Thanks for the replies. Yes, I've pulled the trailer and have removed a bit of paint from the rear corner edge of the motorhome. The trailer is not home built, it is a 24 foot Haulmark enclosed car carrier. I'm not looking for a receiver extender that messes up load limits, etc. but I'm considering extending the length of the trailer tongue. I've read that some have done this with success. Yes, I'll be pushing the legal length limits of some states. Without the tongue extension I'm right at 66 feet. (I have no idea why two words are in red - I did run a search on those two words before starting the post.)
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Bob, Sandi,Tasha a Frenchie and Tiki a Skipperkey
SW OREGON 2004 Dolphin
If towing: a 2006 Mini Cooper or 2015 RAM Limited 4X4 or a 86 El Camino on a trailer
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01-29-2014, 03:24 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ALABAMA
Posts: 582
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When I had a slide in for my truck,it hung over the tail gate about 16 inches so I purchased an extension from Crown RV in Ga.It was alittle over 3 ft.and I didn't have any problems.I towed a 20ft.v nose trailer with Motorcycles that weighted about 1500lbs.
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Billy & Millie (2013 Allegro 36 LA) USMC VET
2018 Ford Escape Titanium,08 Harley trike,Mastertow dolly doxies,Gracie,Special,now Blue Heeler (Patches)
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01-29-2014, 03:54 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Posts: 615
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A competent welding shop could extend the tongue by cutting the A and using identical frame tubing welded in steps to extend it. My TT/ toy hauler, was towed by an A class Diesel pusher and the previous owner extended the tongue this way. Personally, I think it would have been better to reinforce the hitch and extend it out 6 to 8 inches (about what mine is extended). Now I have to inspect the welds and tubing where it was extended and watch for rust and stress (which I have surface rust to take care of soon). Can't complain though, got the trailer at a price so good - I feel like I stole it sometimes.
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Bob and sometimes - Nina - a Staffordshire Terrier/a SPOILED pit and her kitty Spaz
2006 Dodge SLT 2500 4x4 Cummins Quad Cab w/AT and 3.73
2007 Salem Sport LE 26FBSRV (TH) w/ my Victory Motorcycle in it or a EZ GO Shuttle cart.
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01-30-2014, 12:13 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 1,380
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People who don't tow trailers with a 96-102" wide MH will not understand the problem. I had that problem with my open trailer and ended up cutting off the front corners of the trailer instead of lengthening the tongue solely because it was unused space. It has a 38" tongue. 36" is short for an enclosed trailer behind a MH. I suggest it be at least 52" so the front of the box can't hit the back corner of the MH body. Just make sure whoever does it knows what they are doing. I suggest getting a trailer tongue weight scale so you can load the trailer correctly.
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2012 Monaco Knight 36 PFT
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited on 2007 16' Car Hauler trailer.
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01-30-2014, 01:52 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,164
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48" is pretty much standard on an enclosed trailer. Lots of variables but if the trailer is not too tall you can get away with that. My 24' trailer had 48" and it was 76" tall inside. I was able to get away with it but had to be careful. Where it will bite you is while making a very sharp corner and the front of the MH is up and the rear of the trailer is also up as in a big dip. And jack knifing while backing up. The top corner of the trailer will hit.
All the trailer mfg. that build custom trailers (that I know of) put a 5' tongue on anything going behind a MH.
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01-30-2014, 02:02 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,569
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I pulled a car trailer with a 5foot tounge with no problems. I had the trailer custom built with the axels moved 2feet back. This was done to help with turning and backing up. Worked very well for a lot of miles.
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American Tradition 42R-Cadillac SRX Blue Ox Koni 5050XL MCD Scangauge D Samsung rf197
Fulltime since 2012
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01-30-2014, 10:11 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,459
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I tow a 18' carson racer behind my Beaver. Ordered it with an extra long tongue and got one that's 72". Since I have to use a drop hitch to level the trailer, I can jackknife the rig slightly and the tongue will actually pass under the rear cap! The RV and the trailer also won't interfere at the top in a hard turn with a steep drop.
I live in a cul-de-sac and my jerk neighbor keeps a car parked such that I almost always have to jackknife a tad to keep from hitting it when I pull in (max turn followed by a slight reverse with a cut).
I wouldn't do this again though because the extra length put the trailer out behind the draft of the coach - so I pay a pretty hefty drag penalty. i've been thinking of shortening it 18" or so.
I'd think 54-60" is plenty.
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01-31-2014, 04:41 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club American Coach Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 667
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My 24' enclosed trailer came with a 5' (60") tongue for the reason you stated, to clear the coach. Haulmark is a quality trailer mfg, I would contact a local Haulmark dealer or a competent trailer shop in your area for best method for rectifying your situation. Good Luck!
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Johnny Rotten
2009 American Eagle 42'
Trailering HD Road Glide and Saab 9.3 or Cadillac Escalade ESV
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02-06-2014, 04:40 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,574
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I started this post - I have had the local welding shop extend the tongue to where it is now 52 inches - that is shorter than some of the lengths mentioned above but at least I can now make a 45 degree turn. I'll have to extend the safety chains, break a way cable and electrical cables about 4 to 6 inches since they are all short now.
Thank you guys for the suggestions.
Bob
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Bob, Sandi,Tasha a Frenchie and Tiki a Skipperkey
SW OREGON 2004 Dolphin
If towing: a 2006 Mini Cooper or 2015 RAM Limited 4X4 or a 86 El Camino on a trailer
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