Ok, I have received a lot of information on here that has helped us to decide if we want to try to pull a 5er with our 3/4 ton, and we have decided to stick with a TT for now. That brings up a new question. We really like the layouts that have a larger living and kitchen space, but the units end up being anywhere from 37' to 40' long. Does anyone have one of these units, and how difficult are they to tow? Sway, getting into campsites, stopping for gas or food, etc.? If you had it to do over again, would you purchase a shorter model? Thanks in advance.

Stopping for gas and food will be a major hassle with a trailer that long, unless you only fuel up at the truck islands at truck stops.

Check out my rig.All together, truck and TT are 53'. It weighs almost 10K loaded. Sway is not an issue for me. I have a Dual Cam hitch that works very well but is not the easiest for hookup. They take a little more effort than some others.If I could do it again it would be a 5er with the same floor plan. The total length would be something like 4-6' shorter because of the 5er being up over the truck and not behind it. Basically if I have to stop I follow the working boys and go where they go. I have to double check campgrounds when booking and sometimes call them to make sure the spots I am looking at will fit. It is painful at times but you get used to it. Next one will be a 5er no matter what.

My Outback is 35 1/2 feet long from bumper to hitch. Add another couple feet for my cargo carrier on my bumper and that put my Outback at about 38 feet. Add the truck length and that puts my total length about 59 ish feet for truck and trailer.I've never had problems towing, parking, getting fuel, campsites, sway, backing up, getting into dump stations, restaurants, motels (when we've used them in the winter traveling in snow country), or anywhere.No granted, we selectively choose our camp sites, always ensure the space is long enough and wide enough (we have slides on both sides) and make the determination before booking a site if we can camp with slides in or slides out. (width is just as important as length).We went from a pop-up (that had the same wheel base as my 5x10 utility trailer). Towed it with a Mine Van and later a suburban. It was awful backing up (short wheel bases is always harder to maneuver). Next camper was an 18 foot travel trailer. Initially towed with the Suburban and later a gas diesel. It was somewhat easier to back up, but because of the long wheel base of the truck, backing was still a bit of a challenge.Then went to a 31 foot Travel trailer, and continued owning 3500 dualy's Crew Cab long bed trucks. And back-up was never a problem. Now, have a 35 1/2 foot trailer, 3500 duly, and have found absolutely not issues back-up. It's actually much, much, much easier than that pup-up ever was. It takes extra planning and a little fort-thought when owning a longer trailer. THAT is the difference between owning a longer trailer and a shorter one. You just have to plan ahead a little more careful.You will not be able to get into every camp site, you will not be able to park a 31 foot trailer in a tent camp site, you will not be able to go through a McDonald's drive through, you will have to park out a away in a grocery store parking lot, you will have to do a quick evaluation of every fuel station you encounter spot your exit strategy, you do have wait sometimes for traffic to clear a tight intersection so you can make that right hand turn. You do have to have a bit more patients, and always have to be aware of your length behind you, and how much the trailer tail sways when making a turn.But, after a VERY short while of towing, all of this becomes second nature to you, and you are not consciously thinking about all these things until someone asks a question. Then you realize how much you've changed your outlook subconsciously. Sway? If you have the right tow vehicle, with the right hitch set-up, sway control, and weight distribution, you should never experience sway.Towing? My current Outback tows so comfortable, I often forget it's back there until I look in the mirror and approach a stop or begin a turn. When everything is hitched correct, a longer trailer tows extremely comfortable. There has been a lot of debate on these forums about speed and towing. One thing you should always do, regardless of what you drive or what you tow, always tow and drive safe. It's not about speed, it about safety and arriving safely and returning home safely. Factor that into EVERY trip you make, and you'll never have any issues. Safety on the road supersedes everything.One more word about 'size'. Think of it this way? If the semi-trucks can do it, why can't you?(And I've never had problems navigating most fuel stations.. I do not use truck stops unless there is absolutely no other place that sells diesel. I've been able to encounter gas stations with no problems. Yes, it take a little fort-thought, and sometimes there is one that just can't be navigated. But 1000 feet up the road and the next one can be!

DutchmenSport wrote:One more word about 'size'. Think of it this way? If the semi-trucks can do it, why can't you?This is my opinion completely as well. The gas stops you can do almost anywhere but often those that don't tow will not be considerate of your size and will cause more headache than the station choice. I don't like to use the Truck islands unless absolutely necessary. I am on vacation camping and those guys are working. I like to stay out of their way. Sometimes you don't have a choice but that has only ever happened to me once. Like Dutchmen said, 1000' up the road is another choice.

Abby Normal wrote:Ok, I have received a lot of information on here that has helped us to decide if we want to try to pull a 5er with our 3/4 ton, and we have decided to stick with a TT for now. That brings up a new question. We really like the layouts that have a larger living and kitchen space, but the units end up being anywhere from 37' to 40' long. Does anyone have one of these units, and how difficult are they to tow? Sway, getting into campsites, stopping for gas or food, etc.? If you had it to do over again, would you purchase a shorter model? Thanks in advance.There are many 5th wheel trailers in the 30' to 35' length range with larger living/kitchen space------------Just be sure that the model you look at has 2 opposing slides in the front room. This will give you all the larger open space you are looking for. i.e. The Heartland 3070 Big Horn 5th wheel. A 34' 5th wheel is actually only 30' in length when towing because of the hitch location. 5th. wheels are easier to tow than TT and are more stable and less subject to wind buffering. The are also easier to hook up compared to a TT.

trailer length? | Good Sam Community

Abby_Normal
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016
Dog Trainer wrote:
Abby Normal wrote:
Dog Trainer wrote:
We have a 35' TT that we pull with our 3/4 ton truck. There are alot of reasons that people chose TT over 5ers. We spend 4 months as snowbirds and do a great deal of camping during the summer. I use a Blue Ox sway pro and have no issues with sway or even feeling much when a semi passes or I pass one. We are able to find fuel easily. I like our triple slide layout as it is all one floor so no up and down the steps. We have 14'X10' in the living room and with the full bedroom slide our bedroom is quite adequate. We have seen many nice layouts in TT over the last few years. I did change the TT tires when I got it and put Maxxum e rated tires on it. We tow at up to 70 MPH when conditions permit absolutely no sway. We just watch for places to eat that have large parking areas and many times we find places to eat that are close to large shopping centers we park in the open areas and walk a short distance to a restaurant. Once again many reasons to chose a TT and I haven't found a significant downside over the 5er.

What brand/model is your TT?

It is the one in my sig. A 2015 Flagstaff 831 RESS. We are well pleased with this TT.

Thanks! I guess I should have paid closer attention, lol.
Dog_Trainer
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016
Abby Normal wrote:
Dog Trainer wrote:
We have a 35' TT that we pull with our 3/4 ton truck. There are alot of reasons that people chose TT over 5ers. We spend 4 months as snowbirds and do a great deal of camping during the summer. I use a Blue Ox sway pro and have no issues with sway or even feeling much when a semi passes or I pass one. We are able to find fuel easily. I like our triple slide layout as it is all one floor so no up and down the steps. We have 14'X10' in the living room and with the full bedroom slide our bedroom is quite adequate. We have seen many nice layouts in TT over the last few years. I did change the TT tires when I got it and put Maxxum e rated tires on it. We tow at up to 70 MPH when conditions permit absolutely no sway. We just watch for places to eat that have large parking areas and many times we find places to eat that are close to large shopping centers we park in the open areas and walk a short distance to a restaurant. Once again many reasons to chose a TT and I haven't found a significant downside over the 5er.

What brand/model is your TT?

It is the one in my sig. A 2015 Flagstaff 831 RESS. We are well pleased with this TT.
4Kellys
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016
All good advice except for those who say it's ok to be a little overloaded and I have no problems going 70, imho!
Abby_Normal
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016
Thank you all for sound advice. I have learned a lot that will help us when choosing our RV.
Abby_Normal
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016
CampingN.C. wrote:
If you're starting out green with a trailer that size there could be a bit of a learning curve. Most of us with these size trailers have moved up to them over the years from smaller trailers.
As said, it does require a little more planning than someone towing a 20 footer.
When we do long trips I'll have the exact place I want to stop at planned using Google maps to see how it looks.
As far as campgrounds, camper always fits but sometimes I have issues parking the truck.

We had a 30' or 32' (can't remember which for sure) about 8 yrs ago. Didn't have much trouble, but problems we did encounter left us with good memories of what NOT to do, lol.
Abby_Normal
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016
Dog Trainer wrote:
We have a 35' TT that we pull with our 3/4 ton truck. There are alot of reasons that people chose TT over 5ers. We spend 4 months as snowbirds and do a great deal of camping during the summer. I use a Blue Ox sway pro and have no issues with sway or even feeling much when a semi passes or I pass one. We are able to find fuel easily. I like our triple slide layout as it is all one floor so no up and down the steps. We have 14'X10' in the living room and with the full bedroom slide our bedroom is quite adequate. We have seen many nice layouts in TT over the last few years. I did change the TT tires when I got it and put Maxxum e rated tires on it. We tow at up to 70 MPH when conditions permit absolutely no sway. We just watch for places to eat that have large parking areas and many times we find places to eat that are close to large shopping centers we park in the open areas and walk a short distance to a restaurant. Once again many reasons to chose a TT and I haven't found a significant downside over the 5er.

What brand/model is your TT?
SouthpawHD
Explorer
Aug 07, 2016
I tow a 34' with my 3/4 ton. It can get a little tight at gas stations, so careful planning when you pull in is a must. I've also hogged both lanes/pumps to help make sure I have some maneuverability should I need it.

As for camping sites, this is a definite too. I've been to campgrounds where the roads are narrow and the hosts clearly have never backed into a site with a long rig (I'm about 55' overall). So I take it slow and plan my route through the CG.
Dog_Trainer
Explorer
Aug 07, 2016
We have a 35' TT that we pull with our 3/4 ton truck. There are alot of reasons that people chose TT over 5ers. We spend 4 months as snowbirds and do a great deal of camping during the summer. I use a Blue Ox sway pro and have no issues with sway or even feeling much when a semi passes or I pass one. We are able to find fuel easily. I like our triple slide layout as it is all one floor so no up and down the steps. We have 14'X10' in the living room and with the full bedroom slide our bedroom is quite adequate. We have seen many nice layouts in TT over the last few years. I did change the TT tires when I got it and put Maxxum e rated tires on it. We tow at up to 70 MPH when conditions permit absolutely no sway. We just watch for places to eat that have large parking areas and many times we find places to eat that are close to large shopping centers we park in the open areas and walk a short distance to a restaurant. Once again many reasons to chose a TT and I haven't found a significant downside over the 5er.
CampingN_C_
Explorer
Aug 07, 2016
If you're starting out green with a trailer that size there could be a bit of a learning curve. Most of us with these size trailers have moved up to them over the years from smaller trailers.
As said, it does require a little more planning than someone towing a 20 footer.
When we do long trips I'll have the exact place I want to stop at planned using Google maps to see how it looks.
As far as campgrounds, camper always fits but sometimes I have issues parking the truck.
Abby_Normal
Explorer
Aug 06, 2016
nohurry wrote:
Abby, check this 5er out- Click here Northwood makes very good quality RVs, and even though the Fox Mountain is considered their lightweight model, they are very well built, and have a good reputation. The pin weight on it is only 1375 lbs, and would be a great match for your truck.

I don't understand how manufacturers calculate pin weight. Everything I have read says that 20-25% of the total trailer weight (5er)transfers to the hitch, which is what the TV is carrying. When I try to do the math, the manufacturers pin weights are less than 20%. What am I missing?

Forum Discussion

trailer length?

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Travel Trailer Length

Site length

Maximum length for 1500

Measurement of Length

What's your overall length?