I have a 2009 Keystone Cougar X-Lite 29RLS (33' total). Never had an issue with the trailer and really like it, but on long trips it can be a little hard to pull at times. TV = 2012 Toyota with 5.7 L engine and TSS package. 10,500 lb rated I think.What I like about the trailer is the light weight. These only weight about 6500 lbs dry. So the wife and I are considering "down sizing" but I am not sure it is worth it. Most of the trailers I have found in the 27' range weigh just as much as this one does.So does a shorter trailer pull a little easier even though the weight is about the same? If not, I think I will stay where I am.

What do you mean by 'hard pull'?

I have a 2009 Keystone Cougar X-Lite 29RLS (33' total). Never had an issue with the trailer and really like it, but on long trips it can be a little hard to pull at times. TV = 2012 Toyota with 5.7 L engine and TSS package. 10,500 lb rated I think. What I like about the trailer is the light weight. These only weight about 6500 lbs dry. So the wife and I are considering "down sizing" but I am not sure it is worth it. Most of the trailers I have found in the 27' range weigh just as much as this one does. So does a shorter trailer pull a little easier even though the weight is about the same? If not, I think I will stay where I am.This is not the answer you are probably looking for. But, 33 feet of trailer is a lot for the Toyota, space shuttle aside, and you will likely not see much difference between a 27 foot trailer that is more like 29-30 feet in towing. In some applications, like backing up, the shorter the trailer the harder it is. My suggesting is to find a bigger tow vehicle and the entire world of towing will be much more fun and easier. Keep the trailer if you like it and match it with a stouter tow vehicle.

This is not the answer you are probably looking for. But, 33 feet of trailer is a lot for the Toyota, space shuttle aside, and you will likely not see much difference between a 27 foot trailer that is more like 29-30 feet in towing. In some applications, like backing up, the shorter the trailer the harder it is. My suggesting is to find a bigger tow vehicle and the entire world of towing will be much more fun and easier. Keep the trailer if you like it and match it with a stouter tow vehicle. Well said. Going a few feet shorter is not going to solve your, "hard tow."

downtheroad wrote:This is not the answer you are probably looking for. But, 33 feet of trailer is a lot for the Toyota, space shuttle aside, and you will likely not see much difference between a 27 foot trailer that is more like 29-30 feet in towing. In some applications, like backing up, the shorter the trailer the harder it is. My suggesting is to find a bigger tow vehicle and the entire world of towing will be much more fun and easier. Keep the trailer if you like it and match it with a stouter tow vehicle. Well said. Going a few feet shorter is not going to solve your, "hard tow."x2. While the toyota is a very nice tow vehicle for some trailers, I've seen mutiple posts of owners starting with a toyota or other 1/2 ton trucks on a trailer your size +/- and within a year going to a 3/4 ton truck. It's in the "almost adequate" range of tow vehicles for this size trailer. Which is NOT the same as "barely adequate". We tow a outback 295RE about 1,000 lbs heavier than the OP's ring and all I can say is that with a few passengers, a load of stuff in the bed etc. I'm close to or at Max GVWR for the truck, a 4x4 duramax CC SB(9200lbs). Well under GCVWR, and with the longer wheelbase it tows nicely. While in theory I could tow it with a 1/2 ton I suspect that in reality I'd be well over GVWR on the truck and not have a nice towing experience. My experience is that few vehicles cold possibly tow the rated trailer weight and be under GVWR in real conditions. For example, in theory I could tow a 14,000lb trailer. That assumes max of 10% on the tongue (not likely). With a 9,000lb trailer, my 1450lbs on the tongue passengers (who would have a 35' trailer going solo??) firewood and stuff in the bed, pretty quick your at your payload limit.

I think I should chime back in and sya that I used a poor choice of words for "hard pull". The truck pulls the trailer just fine but I can hear the gas pouring through the engine. haha.I was wondering if shortening the trailer but maintaining the weight would give me a better "feel" and maybe a better MPH? It probably would not help much I just thought maybe a shorter trailer would be less susceptible to wind, etc. Probably not worth the worry though.

length of trailer vs weight? | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

Bonefish
Explorer
May 13, 2013
Drag is determined more by the surface area of the front of the camper not the length. An 8 foot wide by 10 tall trailer has 80 sqft of surface pushing and trying to split the air down the highway.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
May 13, 2013
hogcard wrote:
I think I should chime back in and sya that I used a poor choice of words for "hard pull". The truck pulls the trailer just fine but I can hear the gas pouring through the engine. haha.

I was wondering if shortening the trailer but maintaining the weight would give me a better "feel" and maybe a better MPH? It probably would not help much I just thought maybe a shorter trailer would be less susceptible to wind, etc. Probably not worth the worry though.

Same weight and same frontal area will equal same results or there about.
hogcard
Explorer
May 13, 2013
I think I should chime back in and sya that I used a poor choice of words for "hard pull". The truck pulls the trailer just fine but I can hear the gas pouring through the engine. haha.

I was wondering if shortening the trailer but maintaining the weight would give me a better "feel" and maybe a better MPH? It probably would not help much I just thought maybe a shorter trailer would be less susceptible to wind, etc. Probably not worth the worry though.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
May 13, 2013
downtheroad wrote:
This is not the answer you are probably looking for. But, 33 feet of trailer is a lot for the Toyota, space shuttle aside, and you will likely not see much difference between a 27 foot trailer that is more like 29-30 feet in towing. In some applications, like backing up, the shorter the trailer the harder it is. My suggesting is to find a bigger tow vehicle and the entire world of towing will be much more fun and easier. Keep the trailer if you like it and match it with a stouter tow vehicle.

Well said. Going a few feet shorter is not going to solve your, "hard tow."

x2. While the toyota is a very nice tow vehicle for some trailers, I've seen mutiple posts of owners starting with a toyota or other 1/2 ton trucks on a trailer your size +/- and within a year going to a 3/4 ton truck. It's in the "almost adequate" range of tow vehicles for this size trailer. Which is NOT the same as "barely adequate".

We tow a outback 295RE about 1,000 lbs heavier than the OP's ring and all I can say is that with a few passengers, a load of stuff in the bed etc. I'm close to or at Max GVWR for the truck, a 4x4 duramax CC SB(9200lbs). Well under GCVWR, and with the longer wheelbase it tows nicely. While in theory I could tow it with a 1/2 ton I suspect that in reality I'd be well over GVWR on the truck and not have a nice towing experience.

My experience is that few vehicles cold possibly tow the rated trailer weight and be under GVWR in real conditions. For example, in theory I could tow a 14,000lb trailer. That assumes max of 10% on the tongue (not likely). With a 9,000lb trailer, my 1450lbs on the tongue passengers (who would have a 35' trailer going solo??) firewood and stuff in the bed, pretty quick your at your payload limit.
downtheroad
Explorer
May 13, 2013
This is not the answer you are probably looking for. But, 33 feet of trailer is a lot for the Toyota, space shuttle aside, and you will likely not see much difference between a 27 foot trailer that is more like 29-30 feet in towing. In some applications, like backing up, the shorter the trailer the harder it is. My suggesting is to find a bigger tow vehicle and the entire world of towing will be much more fun and easier. Keep the trailer if you like it and match it with a stouter tow vehicle.

Well said. Going a few feet shorter is not going to solve your, "hard tow."
jmtandem
Explorer II
May 13, 2013
I have a 2009 Keystone Cougar X-Lite 29RLS (33' total). Never had an issue with the trailer and really like it, but on long trips it can be a little hard to pull at times. TV = 2012 Toyota with 5.7 L engine and TSS package. 10,500 lb rated I think.

What I like about the trailer is the light weight. These only weight about 6500 lbs dry.

So the wife and I are considering "down sizing" but I am not sure it is worth it. Most of the trailers I have found in the 27' range weigh just as much as this one does.

So does a shorter trailer pull a little easier even though the weight is about the same? If not, I think I will stay where I am.

This is not the answer you are probably looking for. But, 33 feet of trailer is a lot for the Toyota, space shuttle aside, and you will likely not see much difference between a 27 foot trailer that is more like 29-30 feet in towing. In some applications, like backing up, the shorter the trailer the harder it is. My suggesting is to find a bigger tow vehicle and the entire world of towing will be much more fun and easier. Keep the trailer if you like it and match it with a stouter tow vehicle.
goducks10
Explorer
May 13, 2013
What do you mean by 'hard pull'?

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length of trailer vs weight?

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