Trailer Length definition

Great question, been wondering this myself.

FWIW, our trailer is a "2300" and the box seems to measure about 23 feet. With the rest of the trailer and tongue on there its 26 1/2 feet. I think every campsite we have stayed in thus far (4 in total ranging from tennessee, ohio and michigan) have been designated for 25 foot trailers.

Such a rule breaker I am...lol.

This is something I have always noticed a difference in.

Our 26BKS is a 26' Box, and 29' tongue to bumper... So is it a 26' or 29'??

If you think about a cargo trailer a 7x16' trailer has a 7x16' box and is closer to 20' overall but called a 16'.

Then look at campsite reservations, they want total length.

To me a TT needs to be talked about in it's total length, but someone may think differently.

Good question.

There is no definition. Each manufacturer measures differently, and model numbers rarely mean a thing when it comes to length. The best way to know your length is to measure it yourself.

The length is the actual length of the trailer, bumper to hitch. Model numbers do NOT represent box size. In fact hardly any maker post measurements of the box because it doesn't matter. Campsite length is the biggest factor in making reservations. You want to make sure your camper will fit the entire camper, as the box can't be removed off of the frame. :)

Tongue lengths are usually 3.5' long so you can get a rough guestimate of the box size that way but measuring yourself is the best if you NEED to know the box size.

When people refer to camper size, it's the full bumper to hitch length. That's the only measurement that matters for fitting your RV in storage, your driveway or the campsite.

My 1997 Jayco TT was a 24fb and measured 22 ft of living space. My 2000 Coachmen 285 does measure just about 28 1/2 feet of living space. An RV dealer said that years ago it seemed like they over stated and made you think it was bigger yet now days they seemed to do it the other way so a rig doesn't sound so big to pull yet is big when you walk in. He said some models make no sense at all. I have never checked enough models to prove his point.

This is a prime example of the difference in measurement between 5ers and trailers and how the truth is stretched a bit by mfgr's.
The actual measurement of a trailer is from end of hitch to rear bumper. Usually, you have to deduct at least 3 feet to get to useable space. Whereas a 5er is measured from the front cap to the rear bumper, and since there is no hitch protruding, no deduction.
I used to hate it when looking at trailers because they would include the hitch in the measurement of useable space, when in fact it is not.
I usually not how long they say it is, and deduct 3' and go from there.

Mike Up wrote:
Model numbers do NOT represent box size. In fact hardly any maker post measurements of the box because it doesn't matter.

I am not so sure about that. The two trailers I have owned the model number certainly correlated to the box size, and I bet if you measure your box on the 26BH it's 26' ± a few inches.

When shopping for trailers the model number is a good indicator of total size, based on box size. There are going to be models where it's not exact, but it will be close.

The same logic (or lack there of) applies to MH lengths. Ours is a 39S model, but the mfg's web site says it's 39' 8" long. Considering how mfgs like to inflate things for marketing purposes, you would think they'd call it a 40' MH since it's closer to 40' than it is to 39'.

Someday when I'm really out of things to do, I guess I'll measure it to see what the body length is vs. bumper to bumper. Maybe, front bumper to the rear of the ladder going up the back since it sticks out past the rear bumper. And of course I did add a flag mount to the ladder which sticks out another 6". I wonder which length to give next time we make an RV park reservation? I think I need to take a nap and think about this for a while.

This post is subject to revision when I wake up.

Bill

ah64id wrote:

Mike Up wrote:
Model numbers do NOT represent box size. In fact hardly any maker post measurements of the box because it doesn't matter.

I am not so sure about that. The two trailers I have owned the model number certainly correlated to the box size, and I bet if you measure your box on the 26BH it's 26' ± a few inches.

When shopping for trailers the model number is a good indicator of total size, based on box size. There are going to be models where it's not exact, but it will be close.

My floorplan in 2008 came in two Jay Flights models, the 26BH and the 27BH. The 27BH was the upscale Jay Flight "G2" model. The same with my 19BH, the upscale model was the 20BH. Forest River sometimes has the model number close to the bumper to hitch length, others have 30' trailers with model numbers as 22. Model numbers are all over the place, any model number that's the same as the box length is just luck of the draw.

Mike Up wrote:
My floorplan in 2008 came in two Jay Flights models, the 26BH and the 27BH. The 27BH was the upscale Jay Flight "G2" model. The same with my 19BH, the upscale model was the 20BH. Forest River sometimes has the model number close to the bumper to hitch length, others have 30' trailers with model numbers as 22. Model numbers are all over the place, any model number that's the same as the box length is just luck of the draw.

Those are pretty close to call them all over the place. It makes sense that if you have a 26-27' Box with 2 BH models that one will be a 26 and one a 27, both are close.

Any examples of a 22 model that is 30' long?

Head out to any RV lot with a measuring tape and I bet you find 90% or more of the boxes are within 1' of the model number. That's not luck of the draw.