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Higby6574's avatar
Higby6574
Explorer
Dec 28, 2017

Hauling a long trailer

How much trouble do you think I'll have getting around with, say, a 31-ft. TT, pulled by a 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD with a crew cab? I'm looking at a 31-footer that I might want to buy.
  • Many state parks in the Pacific Northwest will be troublesome with a trailer over 26' which is why we stayed with a shorter combination. If you boondock, the longer trailer may bottom more often on uneven terrain unless lifted.

    Your vehicle will not have trouble towing it, you just need to make sure the places you want to go will fit it.
  • He is hinting at driving skill. If your truck is already all beat up chances are your trailer will be too and it might be best to pursue other ways of vacationing.

    Example: Yesterday at Fry's Electronics I saw a Chevy Spark that looked like it was in a crash up derby. They lady proceeded to drive across a parking curb and up and over a baren curb high planter that separed the parking lot row. I simply said, because of the condition of her car, Yeah that fits.
  • mkirsch wrote:
    Depends entirely on you. How many dings and dents are currently in the truck? If a lot, you may not want to tow anything at all.


    What does a dented fender got to do with towing a trailer?
  • When we went from 27' to 32' our excursion didn't know the difference. You might notice the extra length but you 2500HD will still be happy.
  • If you use your head, you'll have no problem with the overall length. We went from an 18 foot travel trailer to a 31 foot to a 35.5 foot, all towed with 3500 duly's long bed trucks.

    There are those who say they have problems getting in and out of some gas stations, I've not had any problems. Sometimes, there are some stations that are just impossible to navigate, so those get passed up.

    We are in South Carolina over this week of Christmas. We were wanting Diesel and pulled off the interstate at this small town on our way here. Tried pulling into a gas station we though had diesel. Couldn't make it in. Simply backed out into the street. My wife watched for traffic. (by the way, the pump was located on the side of the building, and was out of order!)

    Inconvenience, yes, but if you learn how to navigate with your (longer) trailer and (longer) truck combination, you'll have no problems going anywhere.

    Our current campsite was a bit of a challenge (but not impossible by any means). It's a pull through, but a very sharp turn with a tree in the way. Got into the spot OK, but then there was a slight slope (side to side), and the receiver hitch would not release from the trailer coupler. So I had to back and forth the trailer a little to get the truck and trailer straight instead of angled and still miss that tree. A few creative pulling forwards, and pulling backwards and I got the two aligned straight. Hitch came right off and ... I was perfectly level to boot!

    Yea, it might take a little more time, a little more though, a little more skill with a longer rig, but if you are determined not to be afraid of it, you'll have no problems at all.

    By the way, our 31 foot and duly long bed was a total length of 53 foot. That's the same length as an 18 wheeler semi truck trailer. And we never had any problems with that combination, anywhere.

    Our current length, with the cargo carrier on the rear of the trailer is now 59.5 feet. In 4 years, except on a couple very rare occasions, I've had no problems navigating the rig anywhere. You can do it too!

    Your camper and tow vehicle combination is a good match too.
  • Depends entirely on you. How many dings and dents are currently in the truck? If a lot, you may not want to tow anything at all.