My wife and I plan to purchase a new 5th wheel for the first time this summer. When towing a 5th wheel, how does the length affect the towing? For example is there much difference between a 35 ft and a 39ft 5th wheel when towing or backing it up? Being new to all of this I want to feel confident but dealers have told me after towing it a bit that I will never know the difference.Thanks for your advice. I have learned so much from all of your experience.

Of course there will be a difference. Whether it will be very noticable may depend more on increased weight of the larger trailer. The biggest difference will be in backing up into smaller sites getting around hazards. A 35'er is going to get into many more sites than the 39'er.Physics.

Veebyes wrote:Of course there will be a difference. Whether it will be very noticable may depend more on increased weight of the larger trailer. The biggest difference will be in backing up into smaller sites getting around hazards. A 35'er is going to get into many more sites than the 39'er.Physics.I agree, and if you camp SPs, the large FWs will be taller, making it much harder to avoid tree limbs.Just pulling down the road, you wouldn't notice the difference, if you have a capable truck.Jerry

Veebyes wrote:Of course there will be a difference. Whether it will be very noticable may depend more on increased weight of the larger trailer. The biggest difference will be in backing up into smaller sites getting around hazards. A 35'er is going to get into many more sites than the 39'er.Physics.This is true for smaller tighter spaces, and there may be many parks that won't have sites big enough for a 39' 5er. We sometimes have issues with finding a spot for our 32'.That said a longer 5er I have found is easier to back than a shorter one.

The big difference I notice is trying to get into a gas station. It's pretty easy if you're pulling into a big truck stop, but in a small town where the pumps are perpendicular to the gas station, it can be pretty tight getting a smaller FW around the pumps. It would be impossible with a big unit. I had to drop my trailer in a vacant lot at one place in New Hampshire in order to refuel. I've been to a couple of campgrounds in New England where I had difficulty maneuvering with a 34 foot FW.

Strictly towing, you won't notice a difference between the two. As mentioned, length will matter in situations where length matters.

5th Wheel Length/Towing | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

Allworth
Explorer II
Jan 21, 2015
Don't try to turn around fast in a thirty-nine and a half inch trailer!
johndeerefarmer
Explorer III
Jan 21, 2015
I ordered a Columbus 295RL last month and they are used my many for full timing. R11 in the walls, R34 roof, R38 floor, heated tanks and I got the dual pane window option. My 295RL is 34 1/2" long.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 21, 2015
usaclark wrote:
Thanks everyone for your comments. We want a 4 season 5th wheel and many of them appear to be 38 ft or longer. Right now after looking at 5th wheels at a number of RV shows, we are leaning toward a Montana because of a floor plan my wife likes but it is 39 ft long. Oh, I am also 6'5" tall. I am presently pulling a 20ft travel trailer. I would be open to suggestions for shorter 4 season 5th wheel Manufacturers.

I sure appreciate everyone taking the time to share with me.

4 seasons and Montana should not be in same post, unless you are talking about the state. Arctic Fox is about the only mid level four season rig.
C-Bears
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
I agree with rhagfo. The longer your FW is the easier it is to back up, as long as you are not trying to thread it into a really small tight spot. It is those 26-30' FW's and TT's that will drive you crazy trying to back them up sometimes.
Dtank
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
MFL wrote:

Just pulling down the road, you wouldn't notice the difference, if you have a capable truck.

"......if you have a capable truck."

Make sure you do!..;)

.
Gsport
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
I went from a 32' 5th wheel to a 36' 5th wheel, to what I have now. Grand Design 39' Solitude 5th wheel. I really didn't notice much of a difference with the first two, but the Solitude is a wide body (101") and made me just a little more cautious towing. I'm 6'3" and have no problems with my height. Slides are 6'8" tall, entrance door is I believe 6'4" tall and wider than normal.
You might really like Solitude, check it out..
laknox
Nomad
Jan 21, 2015
usaclark wrote:
Thanks everyone for your comments. We want a 4 season 5th wheel and many of them appear to be 38 ft or longer. Right now after looking at 5th wheels at a number of RV shows, we are leaning toward a Montana because of a floor plan my wife likes but it is 39 ft long. Oh, I am also 6'5" tall. I am presently pulling a 20ft travel trailer. I would be open to suggestions for shorter 4 season 5th wheel Manufacturers.

I sure appreciate everyone taking the time to share with me.

Don't forget that your "tow" length is several feet shorter than the overall length, due to the hitch position. Many new FW owners forget this and get intimidated by the sheer size. Not that this helps much in older parks, but it =is= something to remember. :-) I have no direct experience, but have Artic Fox on my short list for when I get a truck that will handle one. :-)

Lyle
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jan 21, 2015
usaclark wrote:
Thanks everyone for your comments. We want a 4 season 5th wheel and many of them appear to be 38 ft or longer. Right now after looking at 5th wheels at a number of RV shows, we are leaning toward a Montana because of a floor plan my wife likes but it is 39 ft long. Oh, I am also 6'5" tall. I am presently pulling a 20ft travel trailer. I would be open to suggestions for shorter 4 season 5th wheel Manufacturers.

I sure appreciate everyone taking the time to share with me.

If you have the truck to carry one Arctic Fox!

Northwoods
usaclark
Explorer
Jan 20, 2015
Thanks everyone for your comments. We want a 4 season 5th wheel and many of them appear to be 38 ft or longer. Right now after looking at 5th wheels at a number of RV shows, we are leaning toward a Montana because of a floor plan my wife likes but it is 39 ft long. Oh, I am also 6'5" tall. I am presently pulling a 20ft travel trailer. I would be open to suggestions for shorter 4 season 5th wheel Manufacturers.

I sure appreciate everyone taking the time to share with me.
retispcsi
Explorer
Jan 20, 2015
Cap to Cap I am 40' 6" and I tow with a long bed see sig. Anyway going down the road as long as your TW can handle the unit you really won't know any difference. We fulltime in ours and like SP and I have yet to try any FP's but we will. There will be parks you won't get into but there are plenty you will be able to navigate. Just check out the sites on parks websites and if need be call the park and ask questions. Yes I watch the tree limbs as height clearance can be a concern on any fiver. As said before I follow the truck routes if they can make it so can I. Fuel stations are not an issue, been there done that. I have a 60 gal aux. fuel tank and I usually fill up when we are out and about enjoying life. Good luck

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5th Wheel Length/Towing

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