fifth wheel turning radius

[bbarton44]

What is the turn radius on the 327 rlks chaparral signature. I have just purchased one and live on a cul de sac. If I can't make this turn, I need to not start down the street and load somewhere else.

[Ford Idaho]

Short bed?

I have zero trouble turning my 30 footer around in a cul de sac, seven more feet would not be an issue.

If it was I would just back it in from the intersection.

Can you turn your pickup around where you want to go with the trailer?

[mrtodds]

With a fifth wheel your turn radius is really up to the tow vehicle itself. I've turned my ol fifth wheel cocked at better than a 90 degree angel to the truck. Watch your cab clearance and make sure your tires are up to pressure on the rig, it'll rotate on it's own axle centers. You wanna make the turn just shy of the end of the road to make sure you have room for the length aft of your axle centers. Have a guide on the ground for your first run so you don't have to buy a new mailbox....or scratch your rig! lol

[MMattox]

Or put the nose cone thru the back window.....

[Ford Idaho]

As I back mine in to it's spot my worry is the chain link fence that I can not see because I back in from the "blind side".

[bbarton44]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Short bed?

I have zero trouble turning my 30 footer around in a cul de sac, seven more feet would not be an issue.

If it was I would just back it in from the intersection.

Can you turn your pickup around where you want to go with the trailer?

I can turn the truck around and can tow my 30'8"travel trailer around. So it looks like a go on the fifth wheel. I have a long bed extended cab pick up

[bbarton44]

I can tow my 30'8"travel trailer around the cul de sac and can drive the truck around it ( extended cab long bed) so it looks like a go on the chaparral (37'8")

[davel1971]

I bought that very same model 2 months ago. Perfect floorplan for us. If only spring would arrive so we can use it.

[jonrjen]

I think the best answer was "can you turn your truck around in that some space". If you can, you can do it with the 5th wheel attached.

[Rupkin2]

The big killer is going to be cars parked at the end.
I lived in a cul-de-sac, seemed like everytime I would come back from a trip someone's kid would be having a birthday party.

Anyway buy what you like, then figure out what you need to do.

John

[DDC]

Originally Posted by jonrjen

I think the best answer was "can you turn your truck around in that some space". If you can, you can do it with the 5th wheel attached.

I'd agree with that, but, if you can see the plate on the back of the trailer it's to tight a turn.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

If you manage to turn around in a cul-DE-sac, I'm sure you will memorize your license plate number!

[dwaynerz]

Watch the swing of the back of 5th wheel. Especially if you hug the curb while discovering just how much room you need. Those pesky mailboxes, trash cans and parked cars can do wonders for your disposition.

[ddschuman]

We have a Chaparral Signature 343RLTS (36' 7" pulled with Chev Crew Cab 3500 dually) and can turn it thru our circle driveway which is pretty sharp and not very big. We also have a few "tree" obstacles but manage. We have to really hug the curb to do it but it can be done. As long as cars are not blocking your way, you shouldn't have any problems.

[fiddler63]

Ok. Here's a couple of really silly questions... I have a Chaparaal 280RLS fifth wheel 32' 8". I live on a relatively narrow street and my drive way is not very long, so I don't have a heck of a lot of room to back in. As a result, I REALLY have to cut hard to get in and I noticed that the tires on the trailer appear as if they're going to be torn off the rims. I have a stamped concrete driveway which exasperates the ‘tearing action'
1 Does anyone know of a way to 'lube' the driveway to take some of the stress off the tires/ axles short of coming in on the blind side?
2. Should I even be worried about that; is it not as bad as it looks?
(After backing in, I always go fwd and reverse a few times to take the stress off the tires)

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by fiddler63

Ok. Here's a couple of really silly questions... I have a Chaparaal 280RLS fifth wheel 32' 8". I live on a relatively narrow street and my drive way is not very long, so I don't have a heck of a lot of room to back in. As a result, I REALLY have to cut hard to get in and I noticed that the tires on the trailer appear as if they're going to be torn off the rims. I have a stamped concrete driveway which exasperates the ‘tearing action'
1 Does anyone know of a way to 'lube' the driveway to take some of the stress off the tires/ axles short of coming in on the blind side?
2. Should I even be worried about that; is it not as bad as it looks?
(After backing in, I always go fwd and reverse a few times to take the stress off the tires)

I can think of 2 options, wet it down or throw sand on it. Water would be #1 as no clean up required. Sand would require a timely cleanup.

[WFD]

Fiddler63....I feel your pain...I have the same situation...keep waiting for a loud *pop* of a trailer tire popping off the rim, but so far after a couple years of backing in it hasn't happened. Can even leave black marks on the driveway as its backing in sometimes...if only my street was a couple feet wider, it would make a world of difference...

Rick

[fiddler63]

WFD
Now THAT'S exactly my problem. An older road (no curbs, thank goodness) and a long-ish 5er. When I connect/disconnect, my truck sticks out on the road about 5 feet. And, if they ever decide to put a sidewalk in here, I'll be unable to bring the 5er in at all. Thanks for the reply

[fiddler63]

Old Coot,
Thanks for the advice, water is the obvious first choice. I really wish I had not done the stamped concrete thing. I don't think it would be as bad if it was reg concrete. But, as they say, "Hindsight is 20/20".