Which is Better on your trailer, caravan?, long Drawbar or short?

Longer is better IMO.
And narrow at the front to allow at least 90 degree + jack knifing without a "crunch".

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

Hey Axle

Definatly longer mate i lengthened the one one our camper only a single axle but made the world of difference i only lenghtened it for more room for a box spare and stone guard but it traveled so much better alot straighter more stable easier to reverse and slightly lighter ball wieght

Scott n Lara

Two different issues (with some overlap)
Length of draw bar, or rather the length between hitch and axle - longer makes for greater stability and easier reversing. Shorter has the greater manoeuvrability in tight country as stated.
Other issue is where the weight is distributed between the hitch and axle - the greater the proportion of weight behind the axle, the less weight on the draw bar. Your vehicle will have specs for draw bar weight to keep within.
Happy new year

Caravans are usually Ok but its trailers here that have me beat.

Made with far too short a drawbar.

To control a trailer when reversing the ideal measurement is that the distance from the ball to the wheels is more than the tow vehicles wheelbase.

Thats whay they turn inside you and you cant correct it.

Longer than the car and you can.

My 6X4 work trailer is a mongrel of a thing to reverse.
The Horse float is better, but the Swan with it's custom built A Frame is a treat.

'How do you stop over indulging at Xmas Time?
I'm overloaded!!!..lol. "

We don't have the will power at Chrissy time mate. Your not alone

Axle,
a mate of mine had a not so legal system on his dog, he had a twin steer overnighter and he would shorten the draw bar up on for the highway (and I mean short) then when he was close to his destination he would lengthen it.

Short to bring the pan right up close and reduce wind resistance then long for manoeuvring.

Axle, hope your not overweight from to much xmas cheer as that could cause drawbar problems.

Longer A-Frame , tandem set back from center means NO SWAY.

.

Gday Axle,
I know nothin about caravans (might be another 10-20 years before I go that soft :-))) but our Tvan makes an interesting comparison because the Tvan comes with the choice of short or long (+400mm) drawbar and the rest of the trailer is identical.

The short drawbar is the preferred option for those who do serious offroading because
#1 it tracks better when turning and takes tight corners better. Also less likely that the trailer will hit trees on tight tracks.
#2 the short drawbar has a better rampover angle - the long drawbar models easily scrape and bottom out when driving over drainage humps on high country tracks and peaked dunes in desert country

But the long drawbar actually has a 10kg lighter towball weight - all to do with the angles - maybe some caravans have long drawbars for the same reason? Also the long drawbar is preferred by people who tow with vehicles with a big back door (eg Prado) because on the long drawbar models they can actually open their back doors!

Cheers
Phil

We have a 6x4 camper trailer which used to have a standard length draw bar. I extended it by roughly 4 feet to allow for the spare tyre to lay flat, a larger storage box and to allow for a 90 degree jack knife without contact. Trailer tows considerably better, as mentioned earlier, because the wheelbase of the vehicle is now shorter than the rear wheel to trailer axle wheel base. Ramp over is obviously affected but for a typical high country track or little/big dessert trip it is fine.

Dan