We think we have narrowed down our choice of travel trailers to the following:Crossroads ST28BHDry Weight 6600Hitch Weight 792Length 32' 3"Cave Bunks80% of what we want in a travel trailer.Grand Design Reflection 308BHTSDW 8350HW 940L 36' 7"Bunk RoomEverything we want in a travel trailer.TV 3/4 or 1 ton SRW PUI recognize that I need to add 1500-2000 pounds to dry weight for a real life example.Discussion PointsFor those with actual experience,compare & contrast what I could expect towing these different trailers. Does additional weight hurt or help you with regard to sway? Does 4' of additional length matter? How noticeable?Thanks in advance!

With the proper hitch setup and tow vehicle, weight is a non-issue when it comes to towing stability. In addition, you shouldn't have sway unless some outside force creates it (wind, passing semi, uneven pavement). So the hitch setup is important along with the right capacity tow vehicle.The extra 4 feet will be noticeable when maneuvering especially in tight situations.If towing with the same truck you will notice a slight drop in MPG (maybe less than 1 MPG) and slower hill climbing speeds with the 2000 lb heavier trailer vs the lighter trailer.My advice is to choose the trailer that fits your lifestyle and then buy a truck that has way more capacity to tow it. Plus get a good hitch setup. You'll have years of comfortable and safe towing. Don't skimp now if you have the opportunity..."go for the gusto"

The second choice has 8400 lbs dry..Do yourself a favor and get the 1 ton (350/3500) class pick-up. Very little difference in ride or cost but good extra cushion in payload.I doubt you will notice much difference in towing considering the 4 ft. difference in length between the two.

A properly equipped 3/4 or 1T tow vehicle and a quality integrated WD/sway control hitch will make it fairly easy to acheive. Payload and tongue weight may force you to a 1T SRW truck.

Going down the road you won't notice the length towing one vs the other. With a good set of mirrors, you'll be able to maneuver both. The issue is going to be backing that 37' behemoth into any kind of a campsite...you will be looking for "big rigs welcome" and be camped in the pull-thru section along with all the folks in the a DPs that have their shades drawn.That said, it's a great layout! Just think about where you intend to park it at home and where you intend to camp with it before you commit to a unit that big.

The only concern over "too long" is number of campsites you fit it. 30' fits in 35', but 35' does not fit in 30'! Depending on the type of camping you like, that could be a concern. Otherwise, there will be little towing difference between the two assuming the TV is capable of both.

Weight & Length Considerations | Good Sam Community

jerem0621
Explorer II
Feb 13, 2015
It can really depend on the fiver....

Puma makes a great fifth wheel and travel trailer with a lot of feature for a little money. These are sticks and tin trailer but are very nice. It's not uncommon to see their bunk house fiver with two slides for 21-25k brand new.

Thanks
turtypointbuck
Explorer
Feb 13, 2015
2112 wrote:
Now that jerem0621 brought up FWs, a FW is ssssooooo much easier to deal with. The hitch, unhitch and setup procedure is simpler and quicker. They tow so much better and stable, zero sway. Backing up is different and a little more difficult for me but I'm getting better.

I have owned three TTs in the past but now that I have experienced a FW I'll probably never go back to a TT.

Just throwing out options.

Truth be told, I do covet the virtues of FW features stated above. However, it seems as though when I look at a TT with the features I like, the equivalent FW is $10K more expensive. So in my distorted thinking, it seems like I can get a nicer "fit & finish" in the TT and stay under budget. Admittedly, being inexperienced, I may regret my pretty camper that pulls relatively poorly.
2112
Explorer II
Feb 13, 2015
Now that jerem0621 brought up FWs, a FW is ssssooooo much easier to deal with. The hitch, unhitch and setup procedure is simpler and quicker. They tow so much better and stable, zero sway. Backing up is different and a little more difficult for me but I'm getting better.

I have owned three TTs in the past but now that I have experienced a FW I'll probably never go back to a TT.

Just throwing out options.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Feb 13, 2015
Something to think about...

A fifth wheel of the same length will make the overall rig length be about five feet shorter (or so) when coupled than a TT of an equal length.

Being a TT guy myself... There is no denying that a fiver gives you some distinct advantages, one being the overall length.

Friend of mine had the same truck I had and he towed a 35 ish ft Fiver and I towed a 31 ft TT... When coupled our rigs were nearly identical in overall length.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
SprinklerMan
Explorer
Feb 13, 2015
Our first trailer was to get into camping , plenty of things we wished it had , it was a 24 ft mallard 7000 lbs gross , second camper fits 95% of our wants its a 30 ft sunset creek 10,000 lbs gross . Pull with a ford excursion , mileage is the same , it handles better , easier to back up . Go with the one you WANT .
Drew_K
Explorer
Feb 13, 2015
BarneyS wrote:
Drew_K wrote:
Snip..
I think the main thing you would notice is that the short TT will be a bit easier to back up.

My experience has been just the opposite. The shorter trailers are harder to back up than the longer ones.
Barney

I hear you. What I meant was that the shorter one will be easier to back into a tight space.
GaryWT
Explorer
Feb 12, 2015
I say go with the trailer that has 100% what you want. The last thing you want is to say I wish we had... On your first trip. With a trailer that long, get a long wheel base on the truck if you can. A 1 ton crew cab is good. Good luck.
turtypointbuck
Explorer
Feb 12, 2015
2112 wrote:
The hitch weight of 792lbs on the Grand Design seems low for a 8400lb trailer. Plus it's identical to the Crossroads.
Are you sure this is correct?

Good catch!, My mistake.......940 pounds is the correct weight for the Bigger trailer. I corrected/edited the original post. Thank you.
BarneyS
Explorer III
Feb 12, 2015
Drew_K wrote:
Snip..
I think the main thing you would notice is that the short TT will be a bit easier to back up.

My experience has been just the opposite. The shorter trailers are harder to back up than the longer ones.
Barney
Drew_K
Explorer
Feb 12, 2015
36'7" is pretty long for a TT but I think it'll tow fine if properly set up. If it helps, our TT is 34 feet long, 8000 pounds dry weight (similar to the Grand Design you're considering), 1200 pound dry tongue weight. I pull it with a 2013 F250 diesel, although I did add air bags, and it tows very comfortably.

I think the main thing you would notice is that the short TT will be a bit easier to back up.

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