Urban trailers

We have run an 11m single axle rear steer curtain trailer with a short 2 axle urban tractor for several years. It uses the fifth wheel wedge and beam system and cannot be locked for reversing. The axle is about 2m from the back of the trailer because it has some underslung tail lift gear and the extra space needed for the axle to turn. I would say the main points are :-

  1. It’s brilliant to drive forwards, especially roundabouts as you pretty well drive as if you have no trailer, it just follows.

  2. It’s brilliant for doing 180 turns at the end of a cul de sac, in what looks like too small of a yard and inside buildings, although on full lock the position of the axle really does look weird.

  3. Reversing is fine,but it does turn a lot quicker and it’s very easy to overdo it. It’s great for getting around the corners of buildings etc. Trying to get parallel to something else if you do not have enough approach space to get straight can be difficult because of the tail swing. It really does carry on turning a lot more when you are getting the unit back in line.

  4. Coming out of a tight entrance or gateway the tail swing can catch you out. If you need to turn right before the whole trailer has come out you need to keep pretty tight on the right and the the back of the trailer will magically move left, but the amount of tailswing can catch you out :frowning: Similar thing when using a right hand lane to turn right. If someone has pulled along your left and only inches from the side of your trailer you have to wait for them to move first. The problem then is another one does the same… We have got the dreaded flashing beacons on the back but they only come on when it is actually turning, whether that helps or not I do not know but it looks good :unamused:

Hope that helps.

  1. Always drop it in a straight line if it is the wedge system. It’s a prat of a job getting back on at an angle and cannot do the wedge or fifth wheel much good if you get it wrong.