Having narrowed down our fiver choices based on full-time warranty, construction quality, and floorplans that suit us, my question is how long is too long? We are looking at between 37 and 40 foot for full time use. Is the shorter (3 ft) length enough to get us into more places, or is it not enough difference to be concerned. Either one in long, I know.

The more important question would be, "What truck are you going to tow with?"...Also, what is the GVW of the two 5er's you're interested in...Don't go by "empty" or "dry weight". You need to go by the actual GVW of the 5er and take 20% of that to "ball park" the amount of pin weight you would be putting in the bed of your truck...But more information is needed: What truck and model and GVW's of the two 5er's you're looking at....thanksOn Edit: My 5er has a total length of 39' 9"...I tow with a 3500 crew cab/long bed/ dually, no problems...

Truck is a 2013 F350 dually, 3.73 ratio rear end, 4x4 6.7 diesel.Trailers range between 15-20,000 gvwr, and 2250-2750 hitch weight.Crew cab, long bed

fulltime5er wrote:Truck is a 2013 F350 dually, 3.73 ratio rear end, 4x4 6.7 diesel.Trailers range between 15-20,000 gvwr, and 2250-2750 hitch weight.Crew cab, long bedFor trailers of that weight you should have a F450/4500 class truck minimum

fulltime5er wrote:Truck is a 2013 F350 dually, 3.73 ratio rear end, 4x4 6.7 diesel.Trailers range between 15-20,000 gvwr, and 2250-2750 hitch weight.Well you DEFINITELY have the truck for it, but I'm not sure of the GVWR and GCWR of the truck, though most use the trucks RAWR around here.. I believe the pin weights are a bit light though. If you actually had a 20,000# 5er, I would think the hitch weight could be closer to 4,000#...The pin weights you show look like "empty" or "dry" weights. Again, I believe a more realistic pin weight would be in the upper 3,000# range at the least...My 5er, last time weighed was 15,800# with a pin weight of 3300#....and GVWR on my 5er is 16,950#. Still don't see an issue, Even if you go with a 43', it'll just take some getting use to when pulling into spots and backing up, but you'll get use to it. You'll be limited at some campgrounds with a 43', more State Parks than anything else.anyway....figure on a heavier pinweight than what you showed

Yes, the 3 feet can make a difference in getting spots in some parks. Just be aware when you look online or make reservations. You have plenty of truck for the trailer.

Question about length | Good Sam Community

32 Replies

jmtandem
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2013
We chose the stayed on the shorter side at 30', not only in order to fit in the CA SPs, but keeping the weight down has made life better for me and the CTD.
slomark
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
We chose the stayed on the shorter side at 30', not only in order to fit in the CA SPs, but keeping the weight down has made life better for me and the CTD.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Jun 26, 2013
Having narrowed down our fiver choices based on full-time warranty, construction quality, and floorplans that suit us, my question is how long is too long? We are looking at between 37 and 40 foot for full time use. Is the shorter (3 ft) length enough to get us into more places, or is it not enough difference to be concerned. Either one in long, I know.

If you are going to live in it full time that would be my most important consideration. Get what works for your home, not what might fit or not in a park. If you cannot get into a park because you are too long or tall, stay somewhere else and drive the truck to where you want to visit for a day or two.
Winged_One
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
fulltime5er wrote:
Winged One wrote:
3 feet difference won't be noticeable. If it's tough to get in with a 40 your most likely going to have the same problem with 37. The difference between 30 and 40 is much more noticeable.

Also, don't rely on the stated measurements. Our 5th is listed at 38' 8", but when we measured it, it was a tad over 40 feet.

And do you find many state parks that cannot accomodate you?

Not in Michigan. I have more problems with height restrictions (low hanging branches) than length. Every park we have or will visit in Michigan can handle 40 foot trailers. Many can handle 45 and 50 feet (or so the individual sites say).

And for low hanging branches, bring a pole saw (the kind with the blade and rope are easy to use).

Actually the biggest PITB is the dump stations. Hard to get into without driving over curbs (poor, old designs). But there, 37 or 40 feet again will not matter. Now a 30 footer would be a piece of cake. With a 40 footer, you will understand why those truckers take such a wide turn. If you don't, it will cut down a stop sign or worse. LOL

With our previous Thunderbird and 20TT, it was easy going down the curvy roads of a State park. Now, I look like a drunk snake trying not to hit anything.
fulltime5er
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
Winged One wrote:
3 feet difference won't be noticeable. If it's tough to get in with a 40 your most likely going to have the same problem with 37. The difference between 30 and 40 is much more noticeable.

Also, don't rely on the stated measurements. Our 5th is listed at 38' 8", but when we measured it, it was a tad over 40 feet.

And do you find many state parks that cannot accomodate you?
Winged_One
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
3 feet difference won't be noticeable. If it's tough to get in with a 40 your most likely going to have the same problem with 37. The difference between 30 and 40 is much more noticeable.

Also, don't rely on the stated measurements. Our 5th is listed at 38' 8", but when we measured it, it was a tad over 40 feet.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jun 26, 2013
fulltime5er wrote:
AS the OP, I am not upset with any discussion or question about what my TV is. I am here to learn, and really only looked up the maximum tow rating and GCWR AFTER being asked about it, so thanks for the question. Now I know for sure that the TV will handle the load, with room to spare.

Thanks to ALL for the responses to my question.

Uhh, gosh new guy welcome to the forum. Some folks get carried away with the weights thing.
Too bad the weight police showed up first with their nonsense of you have to have a one ton DRW .... errr now I guess it a F450/4500 truck. :R Pretty typical.
Anyhow as you found out you don't need a F450/4500 truck to tow the trailers of your dreams. With payloads for your truck from 5500 lbs up to 7000 lbs and 13000 GVWR with those big 9650 RAWR you sure don't need a bigger truck.

Now to your question.
A 37' to 40" trailer are long trailers. IMO a big issue is will it go in campgrounds you like or may use. Only you can answer what your needs may be. I would get the trailer you like best. If you find a older campground you like or may be staying a nite call ahead and see if the 37-40 footer will fit.
Us_out_West
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
fulltime5er wrote:
AS the OP, I am not upset with any discussion or question about what my TV is. I am here to learn, and really only looked up the maximum tow rating and GCWR AFTER being asked about it, so thanks for the question. Now I know for sure that the TV will handle the load, with room to spare.

Yup you'll be fine...let us know your new 'home' choice.

Safe travels.
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
You'll be fine..As I stated earlier, there are some state parks that can not accommodate certain size 5er's, but with a little research you should be able to find them. Could also post on the RV parks, State Parks and National Parks Forums and get quite a bit of information there also as far as length of RV accommodations.
fulltime5er
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
Jayco-noslide wrote:
There is no "factual" answer; only opinions. Mine is that shorter is better and I mean 30 ft or under. Why- More maneuverable for getting into gas stations, parking lots and campsites in state, national parks, forests, etc., uses less energy(fuel),lighter duty truck and, if I want lots of space, I'll just stay home. I know, I'm wasting my breath. But, yes, longer does make a difference for getting into sites unless you are strictly a private campground fan.

This fiver will BE my home. No stick/brick to go BACK to, so as long as will get into parks safely is the goal. Just wanting input on HOW long won't get me into state parks when I want to go there.

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Question about length

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