Your Thoughts on Camping with a smaller Travel Trailer

[Campin__Nana]

Sorry for all the questions. Hubby and I are doing so much research and getting opinions from others on things has helped us immensely! Thank you again to everyone who has helped and offered suggestions.

We have been looking at the Jayco 27 RLS's which have an overall length of 31' 6". My husband has never camped before and while he has pulled boats and flatbed trailers, he is concerned about pulling and backing something so long. (We have a F250 Super Duty truck.) We are wondering what your thoughts are on an adult couple camping in a smaller TT. We won't be fulltimers. Just random camping trips and 1 or 2 week long trips. Are there any couples here that camp comfortably and HAPPILY 😉
in a smaller TT, say 24'-26"? What are your experiences with that? Thank you!

ETA: Our 2 year old grandson will come with us sometimes.

[SH]

Choose the one that fits your needs best! The only limitations with length are towing vehicle and camping locations. Your husband will have no issues towing it or backing especially after a little practice.

Best Wishes with your Quest!

[DutchmenSport]

Pop-up for 6 years. 18 foot travel trailer about 2 and 1/2 years. 31 foot travel trailer 8 years. 35 foot travel trailer 2 years now.

Yes we've done various sizes. And yes, we have camped comfortably and happy for 30 years now (together), even when tent camping.

My wife and I both come from camping families. Both sets of parents had travel trailers in the 18 foot range. Both families had 3 kids. Both families camped happily. Both families instilled in their kids (me and my wife), to continue camping as adults.

About towing and backing .... the longer the trailer, the easier it is. Really!

[Iraqvet05]

I wouldn't worry too much about making the transaction to a longer trailer. I had the same fear about making the transaction from a PUP to my 29' TT.

I had some experience pulling long trailers in the Army but it had been years since I had done that. In my opinion, short trailers like those for small boats and utility trailers are much harder to back (and jack knife) than longer trailers. If you have a tight place the trailer needs to go in (like a driveway) that maybe a consideration. Once you start towing and backing a longer trailer and get the hang of it, a longer trailer isn't much different than pulling a short trailer. You have to watch your turns and swing wide at times but practice will make it easier over time.

[bgum]

We have a 23 foot trailer and in the past we had a 25 ft trailer. We also had a 35 ft 5th wheel and a 35 ft MH. For our needs the 25 ft trailer was perfect. Not too big, could get in and out of gas stations. better mileage, could be towed by 1/2 ton TV. could get into State and Federal parks. Larger trailers can get into the parks also but there are many more spaces for shorter trailers.

[lanerd]

DW and I had a 25' TT and used it for years. Camping in the high Sierras, trips to Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Alberta, Washington and Oregon. Some of the best times of our lives.

Go for it.

Ron