TT’s. How long is too long?

waynec1957 wrote:


Our current TT is right at 30’ and we’ve been looking at new TTs between 35’ and 40’ anywhere from 7,500 to around 9,000 lbs. dry weight.

I just bought a new TV (the one in the signature) that has a wheelbase of 153.7”

However, two things bother me once we get up close to that 40’ mark. One, is the wheelbase on the truck adequate for a TT this long or am I asking for problems? Two, (and I think I know the answer to this) am I going to have problems fitting something this big in a lot of campsites?

Wayne

Hi Wayne,

I'll start with X2 on Lantley's comments and I'll add some more

Lantley wrote:
THe only limitations of a longer trailer is the actual camp site.
My prior rig was a 39' 11k GVW TT and I had no problem traveling the highways.
However a 39' trailer will not fit into a 30' site.
Depending on where you camp that could be an issue,otherwise with the proper TV your fine. The truck in your signature will have no problems.
I believe in using a premium hitch for the longer heavier trailers. But that is a separate topic.

We went from 27.5 feet to 33.5 feet and a 130" WB K2500 Suburban to a F350 CC, SB 156.2" WB.

If you are at 30' now, going to 35' towing will not be a lot more issue. Going from 30' to 40' will take a learning adjustment towing. The 1st being gas/fuel stations. If you have mastered the 30 footer at the pumps, you are 1/2 way there. You will need to get use to getting in and out of them.

Congrats on the new truck. Pulling will not be an issue. If you are looking at 9,000# dry weight on 40 foot, heads up watching out for loaded TW. If the TT is in the 11,000 to 11,500 GVWR range, loaded TW's can approx 1,500# or more. Especially depending on the floor plan. It was loaded TW and "stuff" in the truck bed that pointed/drove me to a 1 ton SRW truck. I'm at 1,600# full loaded TW right now. Then add in 500 to 600# of stuff in the truck bed and a future truck cap and I would be over a 3/4 ton rear axle rating. I do not have the cap yet, but my scaled loaded truck rear axle is 6,040# when I'm fully loaded. Thus needing the 7,000# GAWR-RR of the F350

I will also add the opinion of on 35 to 40 footer in the weights you are looking at, seriously consider a Hensley, Propride or Pull Rite hitch. Heads up, Hensley stops at 1,400#. Pull rite can go to 2,000#

For us, 33.5 feet is a good compromise. We can still get in any park we use to go to, just I do have to be more selective on sites. I can fit in 30' declared sites. If I went all the way to 40', in my case I would have to give up certain CG's.

I do not know what you truck was before, one of my biggest learning's was when going to 156" WB and 33.5 feet was backing up. Here is a trick, drive a good 8 feet past the campsite so there is 8 feet of main road between the down stream end of the site pad and the rear TT tire. Then crank the wheels hard and back up. Once I figure that out, (the backing radius of the truck and camper) life got a lot easier getting into the site. Now it is old news and we go into "known" camps many times in the dark and it is no longer a stress point getting into the site. I can now manipulate the truck and camper as good as I could on the smaller one. Just need a little more space some times.

Good luck with your decision and hope this helps.

John