At the end of last year we sold our first camper (owned it for less than a year). We started small and saw what worked, what didn't, what we liked, what we didn't. We learned we loved camping and took it out eight times. Now that we've got the replacement, it's time to get used to her. I've taken her on the road once just to see how she handles and so far so good - hopped only a curb (very tight turn). Other than practicing, do you guys and gals have any suggestions on getting used to something that's 32' long? I know it will take a little more planning especially for gas stations but would welcome any other thoughts. Just for reference, here's the old one and the new (to us) one. (I used to think my truck was long lol).Thanks,E.

pulling a long trailer can be easy,with the right mind setwhen cornering own the real estate,take as much room as you feel you need.dont let others rush you or care what they think.if taking a turn from a designated turn lane(either right or left) straddle the line to the out side of the turn,this will make it easier to not curb the trailer.if the direction your turning has multiple turn lanes,always use the outside lane.this will help with the off tracking of the trailer and the tail swing.when going thru roundabouts with a single lane put your left front tire to the inside curb of the roundabout,then turn so that the right front tire is to the outside of the curb,this too will help with the off tracking of the trailer,if the round about has multiple lanes going into it straddle the diving line and use as much space as possible.watch how semi truck drivers take turns and roundabouts,do as they do.always be patient and never ever let other drivers rush you thru a turn or roundabout.backing will just take some practice,but a longer trailer in my experience(semi truck driver,have pulled every thing from 24 foot pup trailer to 53 foot box trailers) is easier to back than a short trailer is.good luck and enjoy your new trailer

I'm guessing maybe a Starcraft Antigua 305QBS? Monster trailer, friend had one, towed it all over the US west along with us on a 4 week trip which included 12,000' mountain passes, no problems with the trailer BUT he did couple it to his TV with a Hensley Arrow which really saved his bacon on that trip. :E He also lost his awning, as did I, in a Wyoming wind storm and in Yellowstone was forced to stay at Fishing Bridge as that was the only campground in the park at the time with a site available large enough to accommodate his rig. Nice camper, but BIG. :p

sneakygroundbuzzard - great advice! I haven't even thought about roundabouts. There's a couple of them close by - will need to take it and practice. I did notice that it is easier backing it up and parking it at our house.SoundGuy - that's the one! We love it so far and wanted the size (we're a family of six). As with the other one we do have a WDH system and for some reason, this one feels easier to pull (I know it sounds strange or counter-intuitive). Although this new WDH does have the anti-sway bar installed. Our old one was equipped for it but I never did get one.

Your brave, I have one the size of you old one, and I still white knuckle. I would be braking earlier of course:) and testing out the brake controller(likely the first thing you did) The other thing you might try is to get on the highway, get up to speed and take an off ramp to see how it/you reacts to different weights etc. And maybe after a 20 minute ride at 55 or so, hop out(not on highway) and touch each hub and see if they are excessively to the touch at all just to be safe. otherwise Congrats!

I would get rid of the WDH with friction sway and get something like a Blue Ox sway pro (what I have) or an Equalizer 4 point. In my opinion that is too big of trailer for a friction bar especially on a half ton truck. My trailer slightly larger, 35' overall and I needed to upgrade to a 3/4 ton for stable towing.

Getting used to a longer trailer | Good Sam Community

crazyro
Explorer
Mar 12, 2018
sneakygroundbuzzard - great advice! I haven't even thought about roundabouts. There's a couple of them close by - will need to take it and practice. I did notice that it is easier backing it up and parking it at our house.

SoundGuy - that's the one! We love it so far and wanted the size (we're a family of six). As with the other one we do have a WDH system and for some reason, this one feels easier to pull (I know it sounds strange or counter-intuitive). Although this new WDH does have the anti-sway bar installed. Our old one was equipped for it but I never did get one.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Mar 12, 2018
I'm guessing maybe a Starcraft Antigua 305QBS? Monster trailer, friend had one, towed it all over the US west along with us on a 4 week trip which included 12,000' mountain passes, no problems with the trailer BUT he did couple it to his TV with a Hensley Arrow which really saved his bacon on that trip. :E He also lost his awning, as did I, in a Wyoming wind storm and in Yellowstone was forced to stay at Fishing Bridge as that was the only campground in the park at the time with a site available large enough to accommodate his rig. Nice camper, but BIG. :p
sneakygroundbuz
Explorer
Mar 12, 2018
pulling a long trailer can be easy,with the right mind set

when cornering own the real estate,take as much room as you feel you need.dont let others rush you or care what they think.

if taking a turn from a designated turn lane(either right or left) straddle the line to the out side of the turn,this will make it easier to not curb the trailer.

if the direction your turning has multiple turn lanes,always use the outside lane.this will help with the off tracking of the trailer and the tail swing.

when going thru roundabouts with a single lane put your left front tire to the inside curb of the roundabout,then turn so that the right front tire is to the outside of the curb,this too will help with the off tracking of the trailer,if the round about has multiple lanes going into it straddle the diving line and use as much space as possible.

watch how semi truck drivers take turns and roundabouts,do as they do.

always be patient and never ever let other drivers rush you thru a turn or roundabout.

backing will just take some practice,but a longer trailer in my experience(semi truck driver,have pulled every thing from 24 foot pup trailer to 53 foot box trailers) is easier to back than a short trailer is.

good luck and enjoy your new trailer

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