V Nose vs. Flat Nose Trailer- Which One Is the Best for You

Under most circumstances, a V-nose trailer will provide greater mileage than a flat-nose trailer because it will allow air to deflect more effectively. The angles on the nose of the trailer, as opposed to a flat nose trailer, cause them to be blown around a little more in strong winds since they force the trailer laterally rather than backwards.

Trailer sway will be experienced by all trailers, even those with a more aerodynamic form than others. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent the side-winds and passing trucks, both of which will force against the trailer’s side. It will also waver when driving on uneven roads or if you make an emergency manoeuvre.

This article has detailed information on the features of both the V nose trailer and the flat nose trailer. You will also find the most asked questions and discussion of the same. This will help you get a better understanding and grasp all the required details of the same. Go through the article following every procedure given.

Do v nose trailers tow best?

Do v nose trailers tow best

According to trailer salesmen, there is somewhat of a myth going around. V-nose trailers are said to be more aerodynamic than flat-fronted trailers and to have a lower tendency to wobble when travelling at high speeds. It appears that travel trailers like the one depicted below are becoming increasingly popular as manufacturers employ every trick in the book to pack more space into a smaller footprint.

What a good trailer design is

When given the opportunity, we would create a trailer in the shape of a teardrop. In terms of interior space, it is, however, a poor decision. There are some manufacturers, such as Airstream and Earthbound as well as Galileo and a few others, who use an angular front end, similar to the front end of a tear drop. This is the most aero design currently available, and it is also feasible in terms of optimising interior space.

Trailer sway will be experienced by all trailers, even those with a more aerodynamic form than others. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent the side-winds and passing trucks, both of which will force against the trailer’s side. It will also waver when driving on uneven roads or if you make an emergency manoeuvre

Benefits of a V-nose trailer

Having said that, I can’t dismiss the v-nose as a transitory fad or a horrible idea. The additional space supplied by these designs may more than compensate for the reduced tow ability. The front kitchen layout provides a plethora (well, maybe not a plethora) of additional surface space. In an era where trailers are becoming increasingly compact, any additional square foot is well worth the trade-off.

How to get rid of trailer sways

There is no denying that trailer sway is a serious issue that has resulted in hundreds of accidents every year. Although a solid sway control hitch is beneficial for any trailer, the removal of sway is the preferable solution. Click here to access a free PDF report on the many sway control methods available.

When you’re at an RV expo or dealer, make sure to look at the v-nose alternatives available. If you’re looking for the most fuel efficiency possible, a round nose truck is the superior choice. The redesigned Earthbound and Gallileos are particularly appealing to me. These towables could represent the beginning of the next wave of towables in North America.

How to tell the width, length and height of both the v-nose trailer and the flat noise trailer

v nose vs flat nose trailer

The most common question when deciding on the size of a trailer is how big it is. The width and length of the trailer are measured in accordance with industry standards on the outside rectangle portion of the trailer. A 6x12sa trailer, for example, is 6′ wide by 12′ long and has a single axle in this case. It is considered additional space on a trailer if it has a V-nose, and the amount of additional space can range from a few inches to several feet, depending on the model and extended tongue option.

Although trailer top is typically determined by the size of the trailer, it is possible to add or subtract height as needed. The height of a 5-wide trailer is 5 feet, 6 feet, 7 feet, and 8.5 feet wide (car haulers) is 6 feet, 6 inches. Another thing to keep in mind is that this is an outside measurement, which means that the interior is slightly shorter and contains obstructions such as supports or cross participant studs, dome lights, and possibly ceiling liners.

Door sizes and trailer openings

Side-entry trailers are normally available in three widths: 24″, 32″, and 36″, depending on the trailer size and weight. Car haulers (8.5′ wide) are frequently equipped with step wells because the trailer frame is constructed of 6″ to 8″ I-beams or channel, which causes the trailer to sit higher off the ground. Wider doors, rear doors, bay doors, escape doors, concessions windows, and front and side ramps are all available as options.

The top and sides of the back Barn Door(s) or Ramp are normally 6″ to 7″ wide to provide a frame against which the door(s) can close. For example, a car transporter that is 8.5 feet wide will have around 6 inches on each side, resulting in an aperture that is closer to 7 feet and 6 inches wide.  There is a “no-show” 4′ BeaverTail on many car haulers where inside the trailer slopes down a few inches and meets the ramp.

When entering the trailer, cars with a low profile and low clearance will not bottom out as a result of this feature. A couple of inches are added to the height of the trailer’s opening due to this modification. Truck trailers up to and including the 8.5x16ta and larger are normally 6′-6” in height.

With the 6″ drop from the roof before the opening begins, this would leave roughly a 6′-0″ opening for accessing the back of the trailer; but, because of the Beavertail, there are a couple of extra inches available for entering the back of the trailer. At some concession style trailers and some equipment trailers, a Beavertail is not desired since the floor slopes down for around 4′ in the back of the trailer, making it difficult to level equipment.

Trailer load capability

It is the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of a trailer that determines how much it can weigh when completely loaded. There are numerous elements that might influence load distribution, hence limiting the amount of weight that can be loaded into the trailer; nevertheless, a basic general guideline is that if you have (2) 3,500 Lb. axles, the trailer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is 7000 Lbs.

When you deduct the weight of the trailers from the total weight of the trailers, you are left with the load capacity. If you need to carry a heavier load, you may always increase the capacity of your axles.

If your cargo will have a tiny footprint and will not be dispersed across a large area, you may choose to shorten the distance between the solid lines of the cross member pillars under the floor to accommodate the smaller footprint. If you want to travel off-road or on rocky roads, torsion axles may be preferable to leaf springs since they provide a smoother ride and easy handling.

The tongue load

The quantity of weight that your trailer transmits to your hitch is indicated here in pounds. The most frequently accepted estimates range between 9 to 15 % of the loaded trailer weight, with 10 percent being the most widely accepted figure. For example, if you have a truck that is 1800 lbs. and loads it with 1000 pounds of merchandise, the total weight of the trailer and the cargo is 2800 lbs.

Bear in mind that there’s a variety of variables that might influence this number, such as whether the trailer is loaded from the front or the back. On the Internet, there are a variety of methods that people can use to determine this.

The truck bed length

If you are thinking about purchasing a gooseneck trailer, the length of your vehicle bed is critical. A bed length of 8 feet is recommended in order to provide adequate clearance between the trailer and the truck’s cab.

People frequently purchase trailers without taking into consideration the fact that they have a short-bed truck, a spare fuel tank, or an extended cab on their truck. If you have any specific questions, you should speak with your sales representative.

You might be interested to read also our another comprehensive article of; How to Tow a Can-Am Spyder – A Quick Guide

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Should I purchase a V-shaped or a flat-front trailer?

Personally, I’d go with the V. It has been my experience that a flat face on an encased trailer generates a great deal of drag at highway and freeway speeds, therefore splitting the air in front will be quite beneficial. Get into a breeze but you’ll also notice this more than you would with a flat front; every gust will seem like it hits the trailer.

Conclusion

According to trailer salesmen, there is somewhat of a myth going around. V-nose trailers are said to be more aerodynamic than flat-fronted trailers and to have a lower tendency to sway as a result. It appears that travel trailers like the one depicted below are becoming increasingly popular as manufacturers employ every trick in the book to pack more space into a smaller footprint.

Turbulence is not deterred by a V-shaped pattern. In fact, it exacerbates the situation. – Wind is now pushing against two sides of the trailer rather than away from it.

About Me

This is Cody Wingfield; I’m an author and a Freaky Campers enthusiast. My three favorite activities are Cycling, Rving, and Cooking for me. OutingX is a planet of mine where I will share my exploring history, story, freaky experiment, and personally gathered experience with you.

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