bogie514 wrote:
snip....
The question is, given my tow vehicle, what would be a maximum trailer length that I can handle and still be considered safe and comfortable to tow. I do understand that this is a very subjective question and one that has been asked in one form or another countless times. I appreciate your experiences, ideas, and suggestions.
Thanks!
Tom
This has so much to with: "depends" or your "subjective" and no one
size fits all for the newbies reading this
Gotta know the background of the adviser(s) and the equipment
The level of tech in the TV's and components are very different today
than the days using 'rule of thumb'...like 'even drop' and some formula
of the TV's wheel base length vs trailer length, etc
Some Laws of Physics apply. Like a 6K-7K GVWR TV with a looong wheel
base will tow a longer trailer easier than a shorter wheel base. Boils
down to lever arm length(s)...but...some of the technology of today
will mask that for the shorter wheel base TV
Tires...of course stronger side-walled will do a better job vs the
same sized, but lower class tire will. LT vs P class of the exact
same model and size
Then that sales folks has told you that your TV 'can' and might be
very true on paper, but all things designed are not for the good days
when just about anything (riding lawn mower) 'can do it', but for the
bad day(s) when Mr Murphy crosses your path.
Either you have the right stuff (sizing, rating, etc) spot on or not.
No time to go back to the store for the right stuff...nor re-setup.
Most of these ratings is about that day(s) and longevity. The ability
to manhandle it during the Mr Murphy day(s)
27' has too many 'depends'. Like what is the tongue weight percentage
of actual weight? What is the actual weight vs GVWR. Squared edges and
corners? and a big ETC. Some 30 footers might be lighter than a 27 footer
Why you might find some advisers saying no problem and others never again...
Then on weights...you might not have any tow ratings left if you load
up the TV to it's GVWR before hooking up.
Suggest gathering : TV's GVWR, RGAWR, trailer GVWR, trailer tongue
percentage of Dry (that will give a range for the actual weight %)
Trailers with a higher tongue % of actual trailer weight will tow
much more stable. 12% min and higher the better till you run out of
TV RGAWR or cargo rating.
Then do the simple math:
GCWR => TV + Trailer + cargoe/hitch/etc
As a minimum, consider upping the TV tires to the next higher class
tires if your going to consider a 30' range trailer. Your wheels may
not be rated for LT's and might have to change them too.
