Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

there is obviously lots of expertise on this forum. question---would a
v-nose (6'6" in height interior) single axle 6 x 12 or a 6 x 14 tow better or would there be any real difference? i will be towing with a ram 1500 4x4 quad cab, would there be much sway?

thanks,

mike

dudleydoright wrote:would a v-nose (6'6" in height interior) single axle 6 x 12 or a 6 x 14 tow better or would there be any real difference? i will be towing with a ram 1500 4x4 quad cab, would there be much sway?
thanks,
mike

just Looking at a V nose you would think so.
But this question has come up before and there were different thoughts on V-nose, Flat nose, rounded nose.

I like the V nose for the added space inside.
Pete

i have already decided on the v-nose, i just didn't know if it would make a difference between 12 foot or 14 foot on how it would tow.

I saw this on another board and the only real difference between those two is fuel consumption. You'll get better mpg and it's not gonna be a huge significant difference. Basically you're paying more for the added space, but make sure you don't over weight that area as that is directly tied to your tongue weight.

This is just a WAG but I doubt if you'd experience much difference towing. It's not like a 14' trailer is that much longer than a 12 footer. You might appreciate the extra room inside depending upon how you are going to set it up. Probably would make no difference in MPG. There might be a couple hundred pounds more weight to deal with but the aero shouldn't change much, actually it might be very slightly better having the longer body.

I just don't think I've seen a single-axle 14 footer out there. What model did you have in mind?

been looking at a site http://www.trailershowroom.com/, they have sites in indiana, georgia, oregon and texas.

Thanks for the reference to that dealer. They seem to be able to offer a very wide range of trailer options and the pricing is right there. Usually the 14 footers are tandem axle with quite heavy frames. These guys do have a 6x14 SA with a 4" tube frame...couldn't be too heavy.

But what I found interesting was their offer of a 7x14 SA that could have the narrow axle option....fenders within the box. My 6x12 Pace SA is about 90" wide across the fenders. I think I'd give up a little interior space to the wheel wells in order to not have the wheel track that wide. If the cargo conversion is a multi-use platform where you will be using it also for cargo then the wheels are probably better on the outside. But for a dedicated camper I think I'd prefer the wheels somewhat inboard. My trailer feels big in the butt with those wheels hanging out there.

Think about when you have a blowout!
If the wheels are inside the box it'll cause alot more damage!
I had a blowout on my travel trailer and it caused $1,000 worth of damage

lonerider wrote:Think about when you have a blowout!
If the wheels are inside the box it'll cause alot more damage!
I had a blowout on my travel trailer and it caused $1,000 worth of damage

Not wishing to get too far off topic but you bring up an interesting point. I've shredded a couple of 5.30x12 trailer tires before and they were hard on the fenders. But what kind of wheel well liner did the travel trailer have? Was it plastic, or steel? Did it tear up the wood framing under the sidewall skin?

I've also blown an automobile tire or two in my life and didn't have any damage to the vehicle...but I knew exactly when it blew and was able to pull over. On a trailer you might not feel it right away, increasing the chance of damage.

Wheel well is alum. Tore up the well, framing around it, wiring, and fiberglass side of the trailer! Came really close to the Water tank.

You probably would not notice the difference towing the either with your truck.

The 6x14 will have a little more bounce when you hit bumps, more length than the 12', if at all possible I would get a tandem axle, it would pull smoother. I have a 6x12 V-nose and now I wish I had gotten a 7x14 V-nose tandem axle. I use mine as a camper and to haul my bike. I also like the tires on the outside of trailer, cause I can see them out of my mirrors going down the road, and for backing up, on my 6' wide the trailer tires almost track perfectly with my pickup tires.

Doesn't weight distribution inside the trailer cause that extra bounce when towing? I have a 6 x 12 round nose that I pull with a 4.0 L and it pulls great up a mountain and I have plenty of control on the downside. I do get some sway, but only from large trucks and buses passing by.

Bet the more bounce comment earlier about the 6 x 14 will be true since your gear will weight the same. Those typically have two axles and springs.

I would cringe at the idea of having to peer around a 7' box after enjoying a 6 x 12 and the great visibility.

Haven't pulled a 7 x 14 but do haul utility trailer that I load with a huge cube of limbs for work, comparable in size, weight and wind drag. Either size is going to pull fine. But visibility changes a lot. And it goes without explaining that a bigger front face and extra axle will reduce fuel economy. Not a huge reduction, but noticeable.

But if someone likes the interior space, 7 x 14 may be the best way to go.

I have a 6X10 and I boast that it tows like it's not there. I have towed in a large head wind though and it dropped my fuel mileage from 19 to 14 but that has been as low as it has gotten w/ a V6.



I have however towed from Indy to Chicago up I-65 and back in a cross wind and that can definately be an eye opener with the wag that Tackstriper mentioned.