Ease of towing an 8-ft wide trailer vs a 7-foot trailer

My husband and I are trying to decide whether to buy an 8-foot wide, 19-foot long Jayco or a friends 7-foot wide Casita. Our concern is ease of towing. Is the wider trailer really that much more difficult to tow? We have never towed anything before, so I am reaching out to those more experienced....thanks!

Towing will not be an issue with a 7' or 8' wide trailer. Significant issues affecting towing will be:
1. size of your truck i.e. 3/4 vs 1 ton and size of your engine. Gas or deisel engine and finally the weight of trailer when loaded. Unloaded weight of trailer is meaningless as far as towing.
2. trailer hitch designed for weight of your trailer
3. size and tire rating, i.e. C rated vs E rated tires. Always go with a the highest rated tire you can use.
Personally, I would go with the largest sized trailer that will meet all my RV needs. Comfort and space to comfortably move around is of more importance for my RVing needs. IMHO, Buying a 7' instead of 8' wide will be of little if any gain.

You will see a big difference in towing between the two. The smaller Casita, with its aerodynamic, rounded front and sides, along with smaller frontal area, will be much easier to tow.

Wind resistance and frontal air drag are the most important factors in towing, IMO.

Yes, the Casita will have smaller inside room, but if towing ease and towing fuel mileage are important to you, the Casita would be my choice.

I don't think you'll notice much of a difference between the two as far as towing is concerned.

But that extra foot wide will probably give some decent extra room. Especially if you have kids or grand kids coming along.

birdie1960 wrote:
My husband and I are trying to decide whether to buy an 8-foot wide, 19-foot long Jayco or a friends 7-foot wide Casita. Our concern is ease of towing. Is the wider trailer really that much more difficult to tow? We have never towed anything before, so I am reaching out to those more experienced....thanks!

Width is probably the least significant factor when it comes to towing ease. Distribution of load, total weight, tongue weight, relationship to tow vehicle, and a host of other factors affect the experience.

Width might tip the scales a bit per gas mileage, but only due to less frontal area exposed to drag at highway speeds- the biggest factor in that department.

Specifically 8'vs'7'the only real differnce is how well you can see behind you. With tow mirrors visibilty is pretty good, although you still need to turn you head from time to time.

Not sure how you plan to use a trailer, but a Casita is pretty small. I know many folks love them, I for one need a little more room.

you will see no difference.