How long a camper can I (should I) tow?

Terryallan wrote:

RinconVTR wrote:

coolbreeze01 wrote:
Weight matters more than length.

I am not sure anyone picked up on this within 4 pages of tread, but this is one of the debates here.

I believe in the complete opposite. I could easily tow DOUBLE any given weight rating of any 1/2 ton truck out there more safely than pulling a very long enclosed trailer within all weight ratings. Any day, any time, any condition. (just look at what they use in the new SAE towing standard to gain a clue!)

In short, weight is NOT everything. Length (side profile) and frontal area (air resistance) is the biggest factor towing travel trailers comfortably, and controllably. These factors are absolutely NOT part of towing ratings today, be it new standard or old marketing fudge.

Don't be fooled thinking because you are within given ratings, all is well.

IF you look at Ford's towing guide. You will see that in fact frontal area is indeed figured into their towing capacities. Again. you will run out of weight before you run out of length.

I didn't reference Fords guide did I? But since you brought it up, what you claim is not at all accurate.

Ford, nor any other OEM tow ratings, DO NOT factor in the frontal area of any trailer. Ford mentions "Front Area Considerations" and states "Selecting a trailer with a low-drag, rounded front design will help optimize performance and fuel economy."

Ford doesn't even provide calculations to reduce the trucks tow rating per frontal area of a trailer. And think about it? How would you accurately calculate the fontal area of highly curved traiers? How about 5th wheels with highly curves top halves, but flatter bottom halves, which may or may not become a factor based on how much any give truck and trailer line up and air gets around. TOO MANY VARIABLES.

And to Ron's question, look into that they use for trailers when testing to the SAE standard. They are not enclosed, they are flat beds with weights added.

I find no mention in the standard that specifies using an enclosed trailer with and number of ft2 frontal area. And I can see why. Doing so would ruin the standard because there are too many variables. From hundreds of trailer designs, all OEM's would need the exact same. Even then, the relationship between tow vehicle and trailer, and the gap in between is vastly different. SUV's have a better opportunity to get air flow up and over the trailer compared to trucks. And most importantly, wind direction and speed any give day could greatly throw off the results. TOO MANY VARIABLES.