We are rv virgins seeking toy hauler. Having difficulty locating good smaller haulers. We are concerned about maneuverability of a 24' or 28' hauler. We have an F250 diesel and are thinking the truck canhandle it. Any advice re jumping in with a longer one?

Start with your truck first. KNOW what the limits are, payload, ETC prior to shopping for your trailer. Thus when out shopping for that toy hauler ,you will know how big and heavy you can go. Remember, weights do increase over time as you add those must have items to your travels. Never max out your total weights, always have a reserve.

If length is your only worry, it really doesn't make much difference until you get into things like gas stations and small stores, in town driving, etc. We usually refuel at truck stops, since there is usually lots and lots of room. You will need to watch for adequate turn areas. Most any of the newer camp grounds can handle long rigs. The longer the trailer, the easier it is to back up. Things don't happen as fast with longer wheelbases. Just for normal towing, you probably won't not any difference other than a wider turn radius.

Remember that an advertised 28' toy hauler is actually longer than 28'. I have an advertised 28' TH and it is actually 33.5' long plus another 3' of hitch up front.

I have a Fun Finder XT 276 and the overall length is 30'. I also have a F250 with the 6.2 gasser. It handles it without issues. It does take a little getting used to the length, I tend to cut right hand corners a little short and have to watch for that. Otherwise no issues, just be aware of where you are headed when in parking lots etc.

Most toy haulers have a 4' tongue and are wide 8.5' (lighter ones are 8' wide). Tongue weight will be very heavy even when unloaded since it is designed to carry your heavy toys in the rear while still being stable. You may have to upgrade your receiver to handle this weight, but the truck is capable of towing any of the bumper pull TH's on the market.When I had a 22' TH (26' actual) behind my truck, I was 45' nose to tail overall length. This was a very easy length even in tight state campgrounds although the height and width did require some tree pruning at times. If you plan on heading out to the desert, trees are not issue (we will be out in Needles, CA in less than a month).Navigating through town will be your biggest obstacle. Avoid tight driveways or ones that have tall curb height. When making turns, try to choose the outside lanes and remember that the rear does swing out because of the pivot point on the rear axles (less of an issue with a TH than a TT because the axles are farther back).

Length advice for newbie | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

p_skidmore
Explorer
Apr 18, 2014
THANKS ALL! :-) I suspect the comment about overthinking things is probably true. There is alot out there and it can get overwhelming. We want X from this one, x from that one and x from a third! I suspect the key is not to rush it. Sooner or later we will find the right one!
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Apr 17, 2014
bobx2 wrote:
28' really isn't a long camper. I think you may be overthinking things a little to much.

X2, you won't have any problems; go for it. I'm pulling longer than that and while I can't fit in ALL spots, I can in most.
bobx2
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
2500 Grunt wrote:
Remember that an advertised 28' toy hauler is actually longer than 28'. I have an advertised 28' TH and it is actually 33.5' long plus another 3' of hitch up front.

Depends on the toy hauler. Mine was advertised at 26', and it was exactly that. Then add the 3'+/- for the hitch length.
bobx2
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
28' really isn't a long camper. I think you may be overthinking things a little to much.
GeoBoy
Explorer
Apr 16, 2014
Look at the Desert Fox, they make a 21',24',27' & 29' Toy Haulers.
Bedlam
Moderator
Apr 11, 2014
We have traveled the Pacific coast Canada to Mexico and the I-94, I-90 and I-80 corridors all the way east to the Mississippi River with our toy hauler now with truck camper and enclosed trailer in tow. Our overall length is 45' when hitched. This has never been an issue at RV resorts, but at older state and national campgrounds we have found some with only 30' deep spots (they're usually wide enough to double park). Parks designed for OHV/ORV use usually have larger spots - At St. Joe Park in MO, they have pull through pads over 100' long. When we had a small fiberglass shell trailer in the Southeastern states, we were under 35' total length and never had to unhitch unless we wanted to.
p_skidmore
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
Anybody have input re traveling across country with a 28 ft trailer? I've heard they require special campgrounds or you must disconnect and leave the truck elsewhere overnight. True?
t-smith
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014
Thought I would throw my 2 cents in...

If you are only concerned about length, not weight:

Backing up with a longer trailer (over lets say 25 feet) is easier than backing up a shorter trailer. The farther the trailer wheels are away from the truck, the less dramatic your steering corrections are when backing up.

Towing forward - no difference. like stated above, turning in and our of gas stations. Just mind the mirrors.
I went from an 18' to a 30'. I like towing the 30' much better.
jareddustin
Explorer
Apr 07, 2014
you will learn very quick, we bought our 26ft (31.2ft total) about 8 months ago and have gone on at least a trip a month. I am getting so much better at driving it and backing up. there is no real easy way to learn just be careful in the beginning don't try a small gas station or parking lot work your way up to smaller spots. you are the only one that knows your ability and want you feel ok driving, don't get something too big or you will not have any fun going on trips. if I go any bigger in the future it will be a 5th for sure. I tow with a 2009 2500 duramax, and it pulls that trailer with no problem.

also one important thing....check your weight on the trailer in CA anything with a gross weight of over 10k you need to get a non commercial class A. if you have not bought the trailer yet look at the sticker on the trailer and check the weight, if you can stay under 10k it will save you the headache of getting one. I think in the toy hauler section there is a tread on it if you need to learn more.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Apr 06, 2014
28' should be no problem IMO.