Forum Discussion

d1h's avatar
d1h
Nomad III
Jul 15, 2023

Going longer

How much difference would I notice in towing and maneuvering if I moved up from a 27' TT to a 34'?
  • Went from a 25’ to a 28’ to a 35’ the TV also went up in size with each one. But they all towed about the same, and the longer the trailer the easier it is to back up.
  • I've ranged from 19' to 35'. 27' to 34' is a 29% increase in surface area. The longer or taller, the more side wind you'll catch. Not that its usually a big deal with a decent TV, but between the larger surface area and likely more trailer weight, you will feel some difference imo.

    As far as maneuvering, I don't care for either in small gas stations. Not really an issue for me other than that.
  • Or….none of us can tell you how much different it would be for YOU or YOUR truck.
  • I went from a 27' no slides to a 32' with a 12' slide. Plus I have a 2' metal storage box properly built into / welded to the back frame, making me 34 feet.
    I tow it with a Duramax extended cab one ton dually.
    Pretty much a direct comparison to your query.

    It weighs quite a bit more than my 27' did, I'd say about 7500 pounds running down the road compared to roughly 5000 in my 27'

    I definitely noticed the weight difference, even towing with a dually. I can feel the extra weight back there. More tongue weight and increased drag on the hills.

    At first I was a bit apprehensive, but it initially took me about 100 miles to relax and get comfortable with it and the extra weight, and I haven't looked back.

    As for that extra 7'? Not an issue at all. Gotta watch the tailswing a bit more going in and out of gas stations and such, but the usual thing - common sense.

    Maneuvering it is a non issue. It is easier to back up due to the longer distance from hitch to axles. I seldom have a pull through site, and I can easily blindside it into any spot I choose to put it. When in doubt, have a spotter, or get out and survey the path for obstacles, trees etc as you back in.

    I would not hesitate to get another one, even longer.

    I love the extra space the 32' offers, and especially the big slide. Comfort is far superior than my 27' was.

    If you can drag a 27' around without a problem, a 34 won't be a problem either.

    Gotta have a good TV for the task. I'm sure you have that covered.
  • Back in 2010 I went from 28' to 34'. I already had a dually. so towing was the same. Backing up was easier. We always boondock and never had an issue finding a desirable spot.
  • Longer trailers generally tow better and are easier to back-up. The added length means its harder to get one jack-knifed and they are easier to see in the mirrors.
  • Our trailer is about 34ft tongue to tail. towing no issues. Since most of our camping is FS dry camping or older campgrounds, that 34ft does limit us in either campgrounds completely or restrict us noticeably in the sites we can fit into.

    Based on the places we camp a trailer 28ft would open us to quite a few more sites and some more campgrounds. FS campgrounds often are either large enough and manuverable enough for most any trailer or pretty much set up for tent/camper vehicles or maybe an aliner etc.

    Now our experience is in Western states, your results may vary.
  • Depending on where you typically stay, that extra 7’ may be significant or not. Large commercial RV parks will rarely make any difference. Local, COE, state, and national parks along with forest service campgrounds and other remote campgrounds could be a challenge depending on that specific location. And that challenge will depend a lot on your towing and backing skills.
  • Depends on where your doing all this maneuvering will happen and how much more weight your towing.