It's harder for me to back up my little 4x8 utility trailer! Now, if you want to learn how to backup a trailer (any trailer), get a small, single axle utility trailer and try to stick it in between two other vehicles at the local land fill!
Or sit and watch other's try to do it!
Going forward, it's just knowing that it's going to cut on the inside of your turning radius, so you have to account for that. Knowing that it's sticking a lot further back, so if you are merging/passing leave lots of room.
When going down any side streets or parking lots, keep an eye out for turn a round areas or make sure you can get back out if you need to.
Don't always listen to your GPS if it tells you to take a right turn into a open field... Well, sometimes you have to, because you forgot to set the "No Offroad" option on your GPS!
Mitch
*Anything I post is for entertainment purposes only and what usually works for me.. Your Mileage May Vary..
First of all I will ASSUME that "bumper pull" is merely a figure of speech because I know of ZERO 33 foot models that could ever by pulled using the bumper. IN order to be a competent tow driver you need to learn to drive both forward and in reverse because there WILL be instances where backing is absolutely necessary. Until you become GOOD at backing and it comes as natural to you as going forward you will NOT be a good towing driver. As for driving in mountains, it is really little different than doing it PROPERLY when not towing. Use engine braking to control speed, when using brakes use them firmly then get OFF of them quickly to avoid overheating them. It USED to be a matter of safety to keep brakes cool but with modern tow vehicles it's more a matter of preventing high dollar repair bills to replace warped discs because hot disc brakes will still work effectively but can be damaged from overheating.
Basically if you're a GOOD driver with not towing there is no reason you cannot become a GOOD towing driver with a little practice. If you're one that can't maintain a driving lane without constantly crossing lines or can't judge distances and speed accurately then towing will NOT make those skills any easier.
Good luck / Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR - 2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles) 2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
I thought "bumper pull" was a synonym for a trailer that was pulled via the receiver hitch, compared to something that was towed with a fifth wheel or gooseneck.
No way I'd tow a decent travel trailer with a bumper mounted ball. It is impossible to attach W/D bars, then there is the fact that the bumper is likely rated 5000 pounds tow/500 pounds tongue, and the case that if the trailer is turned too sharply, it will trash the bumper in short order.
ArcticDodge wrote: I love algebraic questions. 33 + x + mts = y
Can someone solve y?
If you tell me X I will tell you y. If x= 3/4 ton or better then no towing a 33ft TT isn't that bad. If x= 1/2 ton or smaller then yes it will be very difficult and not such a good situation. We need more details. We need to know what you are towing with and the weights of the 33' travel trailer you are looking at in order to give you an informed decision. If you have no experience in towing whatsoever then you may want to go hook up to a uhaul and learn the basic skills of going forward and backward and how it tracks behind a vehicle.
ArcticDodge wrote: I love algebraic questions. 33 + x + mts = y
Can someone solve y?
If you tell me X I will tell you y. If x= 3/4 ton or better then no towing a 33ft TT isn't that bad. If x= 1/2 ton or smaller then yes it will be very difficult and not such a good situation. We need more details. We need to know what you are towing with and the weights of the 33' travel trailer you are looking at in order to give you an informed decision. If you have no experience in towing whatsoever then you may want to go hook up to a uhaul and learn the basic skills of going forward and backward and how it tracks behind a vehicle.
So you're saying pulling a 33' TT with my Schwinn isn't a good idea? That darn RV salesman lied again!
2004 Toyota Tundra SR5 (V8, 4WD, TP, TRD)
2005 Fleetwod Allegance with axle flip
Honeywell 2000i Generator
Me, DW, DS, DD, Dog & Camping Kitty
I pull a 35 foot sprinter with a hd2500 duramax, 2004. it does ok. I still have some trouble backing in some spots as when to start turning wheels because it is sooooooo long. Wife navigates me but still learning that if she cannot see me in mirror I cnnot see her hand signals......grrrrrr
ArcticDodge wrote: I love algebraic questions. 33 + x + mts = y
Can someone solve y?
If you tell me X I will tell you y. If x= 3/4 ton or better then no towing a 33ft TT isn't that bad. If x= 1/2 ton or smaller then yes it will be very difficult and not such a good situation. We need more details. We need to know what you are towing with and the weights of the 33' travel trailer you are looking at in order to give you an informed decision. If you have no experience in towing whatsoever then you may want to go hook up to a uhaul and learn the basic skills of going forward and backward and how it tracks behind a vehicle.
So you're saying pulling a 33' TT with my Schwinn isn't a good idea? That darn RV salesman lied again!
Sadly, my Huffy didn't do the job so I don't think your schwinn will either. Maybe try a motorized bike for a little more power on the hills.
with a good capable tow vehicle, good WDH setup and sway control, not an issue IMHO. Our trailer is 35', I'm 60'overall, towed it over 10K miles last year, never even a minor concern, even in columbia gorge winds. In fact, DW will even tow it on the interstates.
To me it is easier to back into a spot than my 14' cargosport. Only issue is making sure I can get into older campgrounds. Has eliminated some of our favorite spots.
My advice, don't try it with a 1/2 ton anything, especially if it is short wheelbase.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
mlts22 wrote: I thought "bumper pull" was a synonym for a trailer that was pulled via the receiver hitch, compared to something that was towed with a fifth wheel or gooseneck.
Excellent point. I have searched, searched and searched, and never found a "fifth wheel" on a goose neck...(well, maybe the spare tire, tandem duallys, or three axle rigs have a fifth wheel (or sixth, seventh, eighth).
And, why anyone would call that flat-surfaced pin hitch a "fifth wheel"??? That's no more illogical than referencing that the pull point is back there by the bumper...
ffpm wrote: Would it be hard to drive a 33' bumper pull?
I have a power dolly for parking, so that is not a concern. But just driving through Mtns etc.
Was going to try to get back to answering your question but you don't provide enough information to let us answer your question.
What are you going to pull it with? Engine size, vehilce make/model, rear end gear, etc. Pulling it with a capable truck for the length and weight with the right engine/rear end gear will be no problem. Questions is, is your TV the right TV for the job?
Does it have a tranny cooler? Is the vehicle in good shape or will you have it checked prior tot he trip? What about the trailer and it's brakes?
Pulling through the mountains is a challenge if you don't have the right equipment and a non-issue if you do. You'll have to provide ore info to get a real answer.
2011 Silverado Crewcab 4x4
2012 Passport 238ML
Hope your travels are safe and the friendships made camping are lasting.
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