TT weight/length question!

Towing a shorter trailer might be easier BUT it will be more difficult to back up.

Would it be completely foolish to pull something with a single axle? There are so many on the road, they must not be terrible? I had a pop up before the TT and it just did not work for us. There is a perfect one at the dealer that ticks all the boxes but it’s a single axle. Only 3,000 lbs.

donn0128 wrote:
The 5200 pound rating is is with one 150 driver, no passangers, and a quarter tank of gas.

That’s pretty old school. Payload includes all fluids, including a full tank of gas, but no passengers at all. Either way, the Acadia is a little light weight for a larger trailer. I agree...a pop up might be the way to go.

The 5200 pound rating is is with one 150 driver, no passangers, and a quarter tank of gas. Please do yourself a favor, load the family and drive across a set of scales.
GVWR is your abaolutely worst case. Using that you will know your within limits most all the time.

There are a few ultralites that might fit your needs. Have you considered a tent trailer?

My Acadia is rated for 5,200 lbs. I assumed looking for the lowest dry weight would be an ideal jumping off point. We only add 450 lbs of cargo. In searching for a tandem axle, it's proving difficult to find one that is below 3,500 dry. So my question is.... is the length my biggest factor if the trailer weighs the same as my previous TT. I am sorry if I am not using the correct terms..
I want short and lite!

My SUV was struggling and even with a sway/weight system it was a challenge.

28 feet is as you discovered too much for a mid size SUV.
Dry weight is kind of meaningless. Instead start looking at GVWR for your next trailer.
Tandem axles will be easier to tow and back. Single axles tend to jacknife more easily. Thus your husbands desire for a tandem axle trailer.
How much does the Acadia scale loaded ready to travel? How much is its GVWR? Those two numbers you need to pay attention to to wind up with a satisfactory towing experience. With short SUVs you need to lok at the shortest lightest possible trailers that will fit your family. Have you conaidered tents for the kids?

What did you find difficult towing the 28 footer?

All else being equal, easier.