Towing 8ft wide v 7ft trailer

Yes, 7 ft wide trailers are much easier to tow... The typical full size pickup is 80" wide - less than 7'!

On most highways it's not an issue... They're 12' wide lanes, but rural roads can be legally as little as 9' per lane. Meeting another trailer or commercial truck (which is typically 8' wide leaves only 2' between if you have an 8' wide trailer... Trying to run your trailer on that outer edge of the road will eventually result in running off the edge. May result in tire damage, loss of control, etc.

I'm an experienced CDL class A driver... I don't like narrow roads and wide vehicles! But, I have to drive them anyway - slow down and don't wander out of your lane.

So, get the trailer you want, but, realize an 8' wide trailer is harder to drive and park!

go with 8ft... why lose the space. The keystone is better...

Three of the trailers in the Minnie line are 7' wide.

There are a few 7' TT's out there, such as the Palimino Solaire 7 series (truly 7' wide) and the Gulfstream Visa/Vista line which are 7.5' wide.

It seems the vast majority are a full 8' wide.

Are narrow trailers easier to tow? Heck yeah, narrower is easier in every respect. But critically? No.

Keystone summerland 1800bh exterior width 96".

Viking 17bh exterior width 88".

Biggest problem I have if you want to call it that is my wife giving a loud "honey!!! do you know how close you are to (fill in the blank !!!. Mostly when lanes goes from large 10 or 12 foot to 8 or 9 in construction zone. Of course she is looking in her mirror and has no idea that I'm also close on my side. No big deal except when she goes nuts I think she saw something I didn't see and it surprises me.

Are you sure your not talking about a 8 1/2 trailer versus a 8 ft?

Overall I can't tell difference other than I'm going to extend my wheel well mud flaps, rain spray and stones makes bit more of a mess on wide body's.

First couple times you park and find the curb sooner than your used to, after couple times no big deal. After 200 miles, no big deal.

You all got me wondering if i was losing my marbles! Yep, they do make 7ft and 8ft wide. Im considering a keystone summerland 1800 (8ft wide) and a viking clipper 17bh (7 wide). Last weekend at the rv show, one guy made a point that the 7ft wide could go on the madeline island ferry at no extra charge. There are about 16 people in the US that cares about that, including me!

The viking dealer told me that the 8ft wides are hard to tow with an suv. We are towing with a chevy traverse. I know he is just trying to make a sale. Anyway, i was trying to get a more objective opinion!

Thanks for your good replies!

A 8' wide trailer will fit fine in National Parks, State Campgrounds and everything in between. Even if you have a slide (usually 3' deep) The towing experience is the same as a 7' trailer in my opinion.

I have a couple enclosed trailers, one is 6ft wide and the other is 8ft6in wide. The only differance to me is the little one i can see behind it more than the wide one, other than that no real differance. My TT was 8ft wide and same with it compared to other trlrs

The worst that will happen is you'll have to put a set of mirror extensions on to see around the trailer easier.

They make 7' wide cargo trailers, but I don't know if they make RV trailers that are 7' wide. You didn't say what type of trailer you're considering.

By going down from 8' to 7', you loose 12.5% of your room.

After one or two tows, you'll never know the difference.

Bill