Towing

[Grease]

TitanMike:
Thanks for the information. I was finally able to locate a trailer that I think will fit my needs. All the information I received on this site was helpful. Thanks again.

Regards,

Grease

 

[Papadave-FRF]

Never liked them

My Dad had one in the 60’s. Nasty physics. When you back it the wheel turns sideways and wants to dive and torque the trailer. Scary stress on the frame under load. I’ll never own one.

 

[Karter]

We had one, used it for 2 125cc scooters. It had the dual hitch system and worked well. Our only issues with it was loading the scooters, had to carry a folding ramp. Other issue was the space it took up while not in use. Picked it up outside of Houston where they make them. It was good quality and never had any problems with it on the road or backing.

 

[KB1]

Swivel nWheel Trailer

A hundred or so years ago when I was a teenage motorhead they called the single wheel version a speed trailer and if I remember right they required two mounting points on the bumper of the towing vehicle. You can imagine the fun with a center mounted single wheel on a ball hitch.

 

[fredcrowley]

Has anyone ever used a swivel wheel trailer? I am looking at one to haul a scooter. I would like to hear your opinion on it.

Thanks,

Grease

Someone had one on the back of their 5th wheel a few years ago. Found out about it when he was maneuvering his RV, forgot about the extra 4' of length, and ripped up the front of my parked truck in our RV site when he turned in the RV park. Several $1000 of damage. Fortunately he fessed up and his insurance covered the damage to my truck (including the cut-up right front tire on my front wheel), plus my having to rent a car for the 1 1/2 weeks while my truck was at the body shop. He had insurance through Progressive. What a nightmare getting Progressive to cover the costs. The tires on my truck were all Michelin. Progressive gave me a real hard time as all they wanted to approve was an off-brand tire, and some cheap after-market grill and bumper. I got the Better Business Bureau and the state insurance board (California) involved. Progressive finally agreed to replace body parts and tire with OEM parts, and a Michelin tire. Glad I don't insure with Progressive!

My opinion is that a swivel wheel trailer adds to the overall length of the RV from the rear wheels of the RV, hence the swing on making a turn requires a great deal of care and more space to be taken while making a turn.

I'd go with a small utility trailer.

 

[PenJoe]

I see three issues with this type of trailering:
1. It would be awkward to attach to the TV, i.e., weight and alignment connecting to the receiver-especially if using a centered receiver hitch.
2. The size of the caster wheels. The smaller diameter the wheel, the more rotations relative to the TV wheels. When the TV wheels are rotating @ 60MPH, the caster wheels are rotating equivalent to 120 mph. Those tires would be difficult to monitor for flats and blowouts. Think boat trailers with small wheels on the roadside with blowouts.
3. Caster wheels have a tendency to wobble. Example, have you ever noticed the front wheels of a grocery cart. Obviously, a trailer caster wheel would be more robust, the the wobble characteristic is still inherent with the design. That would affect steering as-well-as caster wheel tire wear.

This attachment will also add to the overhang behind the rear wheels when making turns. But, that would stand for a small trailer as-well.

The attached may give you more information. Note, some of the search results have to do with caster/camber in steering.

https://www.casterconcepts.com/blog...w-a-guide-to-towing-using-casters-over-5-mph/

 

[PenJoe]

Someone had one on the back of their 5th wheel a few years ago. Found out about it when he was maneuvering his RV, forgot about the extra 4' of length, and ripped up the front of my parked truck in our RV site when he turned in the RV park. Several $1000 of damage. Fortunately he fessed up and his insurance covered the damage to my truck (including the cut-up right front tire on my front wheel), plus my having to rent a car for the 1 1/2 weeks while my truck was at the body shop. He had insurance through Progressive. What a nightmare getting Progressive to cover the costs. The tires on my truck were all Michelin. Progressive gave me a real hard time as all they wanted to approve was an off-brand tire, and some cheap after-market grill and bumper. I got the Better Business Bureau and the state insurance board (California) involved. Progressive finally agreed to replace body parts and tire with OEM parts, and a Michelin tire. Glad I don't insure with Progressive!

My opinion is that a swivel wheel trailer adds to the overall length of the RV from the rear wheels of the RV, hence the swing on making a turn requires a great deal of care and more space to be taken while making a turn.

I'd go with a small utility trailer.

Agreed, but a short trailer presents in own problems when backing a MH. Very easy to jackknife.

 

[boatcat AH6NR]

I had a Sears one wheel in the 60's. Bought from a couple that towed it from CA to Ohio with a 4' x 4' x 4' box with all their belongings.
I looked at getting one recently to hook to my fiver because of space, and contacted states for regulations. WA & OR consider it part of the unit, AZ considers it an additional trailer and it needs a license. I wish I had that Sears unit now, was great.

 

[wls]

I have used this one to pull my RZR, at 1300#'s Have not hauled this bigger ranger yet. I have updated the wheels/tires to e rated 145/R12".

 

[PenJoe]

I have used this one to pull my RZR, at 1300#'s Have not hauled this bigger ranger yet. I have updated the wheels/tires to e rated 145/R12". Its for sale also, in this site.

I shudder to even look at this. We have a Gator with a much lower center of gravity. There is a "rollover " label warning with 4 wheels on terra firma. Our neighbor's granddaughter died in a UTV rollover accident with a much lower center of gravity than the Ranger. Putting that top heavy UTV on a single pivot point is ludicrous. It's like spinning a basketball on your finger going down the road.

 

[Oaklevel]

I shudder to even look at this. We have a Gator with a much lower center of gravity. There is a "rollover " label warning with 4 wheels on terra firma. Our neighbor's granddaughter died in a UTV rollover accident with a much lower center of gravity than the Ranger. Putting that top heavy UTV on a single pivot point is ludicrous. It's like spinning a basketball on your finger going down the road.

All I can say my FIL with our DS rolled pver one of his Gators on a hill at the farm. They were not hurt...... but................... anyway not hard to roll one over on it's own let alone on a higher trailer.......

 

[tomupnorth]

TitanMike:
Thanks for the information. I was finally able to locate a trailer that I think will fit my needs. All the information I received on this site was helpful. Thanks again.

Regards,

Grease

FWIW we had a 1997 Jayco Class C 23ft iirc and I had a scooter attachment to the rear hitch receiver and a 150cc Honda on it. Never had any trouble transporting it everywhere though I admit I don't recall expending a lot of energy worrying about the weight of it; the ride of the Jayco as I recall remained flat and nice.

 

[Tom Lynch]

Has anyone ever used a swivel wheel trailer? I am looking at one to haul a scooter. I would like to hear your opinion on it.

Thanks,

Grease

I Towed one behind my "21 window" VW bus many years ago. It worked great then, but what did I know.

 

[wls]

I shudder to even look at this. We have a Gator with a much lower center of gravity. There is a "rollover " label warning with 4 wheels on terra firma. Our neighbor's granddaughter died in a UTV rollover accident with a much lower center of gravity than the Ranger. Putting that top heavy UTV on a single pivot point is ludicrous. It's like spinning a basketball on your finger going down the road.

When hooked to the 5th wheel, it has 2 mounting points.

 

[PenJoe]

When hooked to the 5th wheel, it has 2 mounting points.

For a minute, just picture the torque/stress on that 5th wheel 2-point attachment. Every time you turn a corner, correct for sway when passing or getting passed, a rogue gust of side wind, swerving to avoid an obstacle-or just one tire on that trailer gets a flat. Then think about all the war stories of hitch failures on campers where the users thought it was okay. It okay until it is not okay. Are you willing to face a jury with your theory?

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Just recently in Nashville, I saw the news where a towed vehicle behind a motor home broke loose on I-65. The result was several other vehicles crashed into the towed vehicle. Two people died, several were injured.

Just think about what you are doing or asking of your equipment.

Bob

 

[tomupnorth]

...Just think about what you are doing or asking of your equipment....

Doesn't work for everyone though ("thinking"). To paraphrase George Carlin: "Just think about how stupid the average person is, then realize half of all people are dumber than that."

 

[wls]

For a minute, just picture the torque/stress on that 5th wheel 2-point attachment. Every time you turn a corner, correct for sway when passing or getting passed, a rogue gust of side wind, swerving to avoid an obstacle-or just one tire on that trailer gets a flat. Then think about all the war stories of hitch failures on campers where the users thought it was okay. It okay until it is not okay. Are you willing to face a jury with your theory?

I had a professional welder, plus had Orvan beef it up more, its very sturdy, I may have some pics I'll post if so.

 

[wls]

I had a professional welder, plus had Orvan beef it up more, its very sturdy, I may have some pics I'll post if so.

 

[wls]

Heres