Is clearance an issue with SV-291?

[pbohart]

Hi.

I am going back and forth between a North Trail 28BHS and a Surveyor SV-291. I think things are pretty even-Steven between the two....but I noticed a few people complaining about the SV-291 road clearance.

Is this an issue? I camp at a couple of spots where the driveways slope slightly. A TT with lower than average clearance might have trouble navigating.

Thoughts?

[Bama PrimeTime]

Welcome to the Forum Pb.
We have had our SV291 for a little over 2 years now and I think I've had a problem of it dragging the "Skid bars" 3 times. That was all at the drive to the home where we keep it stored and after a rain washed part od the drive out. I like the low stance my Surveyor has and I feel that helps when towing down the road @65 mph.
I've never experienced drag on sloped drives unless it arches back up very quick,in that case I don't think any ground clearence on a 53' truck/trailer combo will make a difference. On steep drives remove the WDH bars if possible before entering the drive.

[acadianbob]

I agree with BamaSurveyor. One of the big reasons we went with a Surveyor is the low stance, lower center of gravity, more stable tow, less wind resistance. We consistently average 10 to 11 mpg on extended trips when many others are getting 9 for comparable sized trailers and TVs. We only hit 9 mpg in the worst of headwinds.

[cat1956]

If the road clearance is a problem, check with Forest River they make lift kits for a lot of they low profile models.

[pbohart]

Wow. It is considerably lower...

The north trail is 9 feet, 10 inches high. The Surveyor is 8 feet, 8 inches high. Given that both trailers are 78 inches indoor height - I guess that means the North Trail is 14 inches higher off the ground?

Should I be worried about this? (ps - I worry about everything)

[Bama PrimeTime]

Not something I've worried a lot about. I slow down at RR crossings and speed bumps. But I did that with our last camper also.

[loganmartin]

Originally Posted by bamasurveyor

Welcome to the Forum Pb.
We have had our SV291 for a little over 2 years now and I think I've had a problem of it dragging the "Skid bars" 3 times. That was all at the drive to the home where we keep it stored and after a rain washed part od the drive out. I like the low stance my Surveyor has and I feel that helps when towing down the road @65 mph.
I've never experienced drag on sloped drives unless it arches back up very quick,in that case I don't think any ground clearence on a 53' truck/trailer combo will make a difference. On steep drives remove the WDH bars if possible before entering the drive.

Not to pile on Pb, just have the same question also.
bama...would the skid bars wear down if dragged enough times? Can you recommend a hitch that would be more convenient to remove the sway bars for navagating a quick arch? We are looking at a surveyor also and our primary camping area (in the great state of Bama) has a very steep quick arch just before the campsite. Also, we were definately hoping the axle riser kit would help and though of possibly adding larger wheels to help..if that is available with a surveyor. Thanks in advance!

[loganmartin]

Originally Posted by pbohart

Wow. It is considerably lower...

The north trail is 9 feet, 10 inches high. The Surveyor is 8 feet, 8 inches high. Given that both trailers are 78 inches indoor height - I guess that means the North Trail is 14 inches higher off the ground?

Should I be worried about this? (ps - I worry about everything)

pb- I believe the surveyor does not come standard w/ AC...this could be the difference between the height of those two TT's.

[acadianbob]

No, the Surveyors are a good 12" lower than most trailer at the roofline. Ours is 8' 6" . . . Plus the height of the air conditioner.

I've seen wheels that mount on the skid bars. Would only be good on hard surfaces though; not dirt . .

[loganmartin]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

No, the Surveyors are a good 12" lower than most trailer at the roofline. Ours is 8' 6" . . . Plus the height of the air conditioner.

I've seen wheels that mount on the skid bars. Would only be good on hard surfaces though; not dirt . .

wheels on the skid bars, now theres a thought. I'll have to investigate that for sure. I would just like to avoid grinding the skid bars everytime if possible. Thanks for the insight..

[acadianbob]

Here's an example

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-wheel-covers/94-8377.htm?source=google&mm_campaign=aeebaeb376504db 3a75f1d611d0292b3&keyword=WL_{keyword}&utm_source= google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=WL&utm_term=WL_ {keyword}

[acadianbob]

Here's another:

http://www.rvpartscenter.com/RV_Part...kid_wheels.htm

[Bama PrimeTime]

Removing the Wieght distribution bars May lower the front/raise the rear of the camper enough to give you the clearance you are looking for when entering a sloped drive. The skid bars on our Surveyor are V-shaped so I'm not sure how rollers would work and then again that would give you even LESS clearance by adding rollers to the bottom of the skid bars. I've gone over some pretty high speed bumps and raised drives and never hit my tank drain valves on them, which is always my concern

[MtnGuy]

I was concerned about the lower profile on our Surveyor also. I had even put a lift kit on my Trailmanor because of a concern with that. So far, I haven't drug anything, even though I have encountered dips and rises in my travels. I still cringe when entering steep grades into gas stations and such. But I really have come to like the low profile of the Surveyor, both for the sweet towing down the road, and that little extra clearance above while in the tight areas of forested campgrounds.

[slpybeartx]

Never dragged the skid bars on the trailer once. PLENTY of offroad and onroad challenges. I am interested in the lift kit though, as I have even rougher ground I want to pull it onto.

And I too LOVE the lower profile of the trailer.

[Bill U]

Collapsed the right skid bar the first time towing my SV291. Don't remember how I did it but have not had any problems since. I have had the 291 since May of 08 and have put over three thousand miles on it without a mishap. The only gripe I have about the low clearance is when dumping the tanks at a station with curbing around it because the dump outlet is below the level of the curb. You have to lift and dump the remaining gallon or so of waste out of the flex hose. Other than that I like it. That being said, I am planning on installing the three inch lift kit and will see how I like it. If however I notice any difference in towing in regards to sway etc the lift kit will come off. I absolutly love the way this puppy tows, no sway at all and I am using a Quality S brand wd hitch with 1000 pound bars and a single, friction anti sway. I have also towed without the friction control by accident and did not observe any sway at all. I tow with a 2001 Z71 but when we first bought it we towed it home with a 2004 Expedition and noticed some pretty decent sway. Coil springs on the Expedition verses leaf springs on the Z71 plus the added wheelbase length of the Z71 makes all the difference. We have been from Fl to Va and all points in between to include the Carolina mountains. Hope this helps.

[slpybeartx]

Originally Posted by Bill U

Collapsed the right skid bar the first time towing my SV291. Don't remember how I did it but have not had any problems since. I have had the 291 since May of 08 and have put over three thousand miles on it without a mishap. The only gripe I have about the low clearance is when dumping the tanks at a station with curbing around it because the dump outlet is below the level of the curb. You have to lift and dump the remaining gallon or so of waste out of the flex hose. Other than that I like it. That being said, I am planning on installing the three inch lift kit and will see how I like it. If however I notice any difference in towing in regards to sway etc the lift kit will come off. I absolutly love the way this puppy tows, no sway at all and I am using a Quality S brand wd hitch with 1000 pound bars and a single, friction anti sway. I have also towed without the friction control by accident and did not observe any sway at all. I tow with a 2001 Z71 but when we first bought it we towed it home with a 2004 Expedition and noticed some pretty decent sway. Coil springs on the Expedition verses leaf springs on the Z71 plus the added wheelbase length of the Z71 makes all the difference. We have been from Fl to Va and all points in between to include the Carolina mountains. Hope this helps.

Great point on dumping Bill... while we haven't had any issues with dragging... we have had a few issues finding the right "fall" to drain the black tank over curbs.... None at campsites, just a few at dump stations.

[scweaver]

My 294 is low and I have scraped the bars a couple times. But the height helps the towability. It sits nice and low and almost hugs the road!