I looked through the old threads and didn’t find any that addressed this specific issue, so I thought I’d start one.There was a discussion in another thread about one of Jayco’s new Eagle Premier travel trailers that comes in at 39’ (give or take). The size of the unit came up a couple times (with a lot of focus on the tongue weight), but my question is more about the overall length of the unit (or one similar). 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” and an overall length of 240.2”. It has a heavy duty towing package (2 ½” receiver with a 1,500 lb. tongue weight), front gross axle weight rating of 5,200 lbs., rear GAWR 6,200 lbs., 6.6 Duramax/Allison, payload just over 3,000 lbs., max conventional trailer rating of 13,000 and GCWR of 24,500 lbs. So I’m not overly concerned that the truck won’t get anything we’ve looked at down the road fairly comfortably under normal conditions if it’s set up properly.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?I’d love to hear from folks who tow TTs in this range. ThanksWayne

We camp with friends who have a 40 foot fiver. Sadly they cannot camp with us many times a year due to their length. Bigger is not always better IMHO

I tow a 36 foot TT with a 2012 Tundra. I used to have a 27 foot TT. I see no difference between the 2 trailers based on the additional length. The Javier tongue wait makes it ride better in my opinion.

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.

Our trailer in the the sig below is almost too long in regards to camping in tight state parks and COE campgrounds. Pulling it and maneuvering isn't an issue to me, its once you get there and are limited due to site length.

For what it is worth, we went from a 30' 7000 pounder to a 35' 9000 pounder. The difference on the highway is not that significant, but in addition to being longer and heavier, it is also higher, and tree branch clearance has been more of a problem. It also has cut down on the selection of available sites in some State Parks, but so far we have been able to get into every park we have wanted to. By the way, the extra slide and room is well worth it to us!

TT’s. How long is too long? | Good Sam Community

waynec1957
Explorer
Dec 18, 2013
soren wrote:
It's Me wrote:
I tow a 36 foot TT with a 2012 Tundra. I used to have a 27 foot TT. I see no difference between the 2 trailers based on the additional length. The Javier tongue wait makes it ride better in my opinion.

I guess this is why answers to questions like this are so highly opinion based. I spent a decade with a 26' long TT. I replaced it with a 35' rig, and absolutely hated towing it. The length was nothing but a PITA, and was extremely limiting to our camping style. Too many of our favorite places were too small, or too difficult to access. Everybody is different, but when it comes to 35-40 footers, if they get delivered to a permanent site, cool. But I have no interest in "camping" by dragging a single wide mobile home everywhere we go. Did it, earned the merit badge, sold it.

Was it a PITA because it was more difficult to tow or was it getting it into campsites?
PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Dec 18, 2013
Bill & Kate wrote:
For what it is worth, we went from a 30' 7000 pounder to a 35' 9000 pounder.

We also just went from 30' to 35' - and it hasn't been a big deal. But are now unable to get to our favorite spots in three parks. There are nearby spots long enough for us so it won't be an issue. We knew that with going to a bigger trailer (one spot is long enough, but not wide enough for our slides).

One difference I did not expect is how hard it has been to unlearn old backup curve and swing - and learn the more room backing up the new trailer needs.

There is one spot we really liked at one park - it is long enough for a 45 footer, but I really don't want to try backing the 35 footer into it. Trees are too close and I would have to turn almost 85 degrees to get in.
rav
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
I will agree with It's Me, we also went from 26' to a 34' (7800# loaded) TT and I found no problems with towing it. I had the hitch set up by Elkhart Hitch and it was dialed in perfectly.
we never had any problem's getting sites at the state parks or the private campgrounds. backing up was also easy, just longer, my DW does a great job helping me get into sites.
soren
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
It's Me wrote:
I tow a 36 foot TT with a 2012 Tundra. I used to have a 27 foot TT. I see no difference between the 2 trailers based on the additional length. The Javier tongue wait makes it ride better in my opinion.

I guess this is why answers to questions like this are so highly opinion based. I spent a decade with a 26' long TT. I replaced it with a 35' rig, and absolutely hated towing it. The length was nothing but a PITA, and was extremely limiting to our camping style. Too many of our favorite places were too small, or too difficult to access. Everybody is different, but when it comes to 35-40 footers, if they get delivered to a permanent site, cool. But I have no interest in "camping" by dragging a single wide mobile home everywhere we go. Did it, earned the merit badge, sold it.
Bill___Kate
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
For what it is worth, we went from a 30' 7000 pounder to a 35' 9000 pounder. The difference on the highway is not that significant, but in addition to being longer and heavier, it is also higher, and tree branch clearance has been more of a problem. It also has cut down on the selection of available sites in some State Parks, but so far we have been able to get into every park we have wanted to.

By the way, the extra slide and room is well worth it to us!
6_7_tow_rig
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
Our trailer in the the sig below is almost too long in regards to camping in tight state parks and COE campgrounds. Pulling it and maneuvering isn't an issue to me, its once you get there and are limited due to site length.
Lantley
Nomad
Dec 17, 2013
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.
It_s_Me
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
I tow a 36 foot TT with a 2012 Tundra. I used to have a 27 foot TT. I see no difference between the 2 trailers based on the additional length. The Javier tongue wait makes it ride better in my opinion.
Oasisbob
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
We camp with friends who have a 40 foot fiver. Sadly they cannot camp with us many times a year due to their length. Bigger is not always better IMHO

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TT’s. How long is too long?

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