Towing 8ft wide v 7ft trailer

I thought they were all at least 8' wide these days. I've never had a problem on very narrow roads as long as someone in oncoming traffic is willing to pull far enough to the right or stop and let me go by, or vice versa.

With a smaller tow vehicle, a 7 ft. wide TT is preferable because it lessens the frontal area. Check the frontal area limit of your vehicle. We got a 7 ft. wide TT b/c of this. We tow it with our 2010 Pathfinder, which has a frontal area limit of 60 square feet. Think of it as dragging a smaller sail into the wind.

Personally, I would go with the 8' wide, because of the extra space and leg room with that extra foot. But only you can determine what is best for you.

How much is the extra charge on the ferry for a trailer wider than 7'? Is it worth it or not?

A 7' wide trailer will have less air resistance due to less square footage of frontal area. It will tow easier with an SUV with a V6.

If you can live with the smaller square footage inside, then maybe a 7' unit is for you. I personally would want the extra space, but I'm not the one that has to live in yours!

keystone has aluminum wheels and a spare tire.. The viking does not.

Keystone has lots of room in bath/toilet area for changing...etc..



Viking bath?? smaller..

Over the years I've towed three different 8' wide trailers, and now I have a 7' wide Kodiak. All of these rigs have been 22' or less in length. I don't notice any less inside room, as the Kodiak has a slide. All these trailers have been towed, for the most part with half ton pickups. I notice a little difference towing the 7 footer. It's nice just using my truck's stock mirrors, and also nice, as previously noted, on narrow roads and particularly narrow bridges. The 7' trailer hides behind the truck a little better, therefor pushing a little less wind, and gets the best mileage of the entire group. But this is not entirely accurate, as I've had so many different trucks.

All in all, I haven't noticed too much difference. I do know that I wouldn't want to tow an 8.5 footer.

Mine is 8.5' wide - not a problem and I wouldn't describe it as any different than any other trailer I've pulled. I have tip out tow mirrors so that helps me see.

Well, i am officially freaked and confused! our current 13ft road runner is looking better and better ...

I can't believe the bum advice you're getting! Yes, an 8' wide TT will be MUCH harder to tow with your Traverse, because the Summerland's frontal area is about 19% greater (it's both taller and wider). I towed a 7' wide by 99" high KZ Escape 14RB with my 2008 Toyota Highlander (virtually the same vehicle size and engine power as your Traverse), and let me tell you it had a tough time dragging that trailer up long grades at higher altitudes. I would not want to tow anything as big as the Summerland with my HL. In fact, I sold the KZ last summer and bought a folding Aliner.

Another huge factor here is the hitch weight. Both trailers have a dry hitch weight of more than 400 lb. Once you add LP, battery, some water, and your camping gear to this trailer, you will be very hard pressed to keep the hitch weight (loaded) under your 500 lb limit. The Summerland is 440 dry hitch... you'll probably be 550 to 600 lb or more on the hitch when ready to camp.

Both of these trailers exceed 21' length, so you definitely would want a hitch that controls sway... and this will add more weight!

You might look at the KZ Sportsmen Classic 16RB; it's lighter weight all around (under 350 dry hitch), 7' wide, and 17' long. I think something that size is a much better match for SUVs like ours. They also make a 19BH, still under 350 lb dry hitch, but last I heard an axle flip was advisable on those because some owners drag the longer back end when going through deep dips... these Classics are (or at least were) very low to the ground.

You have to look at the camper differences. One thing the keystone you can open the awning and have the door all the way open at the same time. The viking the door hits the awning support. Get a wind and that door will rip off.

There are many other things I see.. Many here are giving advice on the width like you asked but thats not important between the two campers.

This ='s cheap IMO.. see how door will hit support? I dont think that door opens all the way with the awning closed either.

Viking



Better keystone.. ( Hey we camp. we know these thing...)

Not an issue IMO