Difference in finding camp spot or towing w/ 28' v 30 v 32'?

[fugawi]

I am looking at a 28'-30' trailer, probably in the 7,000-8,000 lb range loaded. I have been wondering if there would be much adverse impact if I go to 32'.

Tow vehicle is a 2015 Ram 2500 4x4 Crew Cab diesel short bed with factory rear air suspension.

I currently tow a 19' 4,500 lb trailer. It tows very smoothly with no weight distribution or sway control, and it is pretty easy to find camps spots.

If I am going to go to something 28' long, does it really matter if I go to 30' or 32'?

Would the extra 2'-4' significantly affect ease of towing compared to a 28' trailer?

Would the extra 2'-4' significantly limit camp spot availability compared to a 28' trailer?

Thank you!

[RedRocket204]

jaycocreek wrote:
Exactly.... My 30ft,tongue to bumper, is just to long to get into many places I hunt and camp but I never have a problem with it in RV spot . I was always dragging with my 34 on up trailers and fifth wheels.

Now, I just got a 21ft Class C with abundant ground clearance for those hard to get places I enjoy.

I'd actually like to go a different route by way of truck slide-in camper. Keep my current TT for family vacations, and buy a used truck camper for remote locations where I could also tow my short ATV trailer. Yes, truck camper living space is smaller so really, only for two people max but I would have no issues with tight access areas unless there was low overhead. Only problem... space to store additional truck camper.

[jaycocreek]

RedRocket204 wrote:

Keith099 wrote:
From what I've seen, my 32' can fit about anywhere except tent or the real pop-up sites.

Sometimes it's not just about the sites... but getting to the sites. I can show you plenty of locations I would not take my 30' TT and it has me considering downsizing. Yes, these are more remote locations for boondocking. So, in my case it is not about the space to park the TT but getting to that area which involves many tight switchbacks.

It 100% depends on your individual expectation of where you are looking to camp. It is very rare when I can't get my 30' TT in a RV park.

Exactly.... My 30ft,tongue to bumper, is just to long to get into many places I hunt and camp but I never have a problem with it in RV spot . I was always dragging with my 34 on up trailers and fifth wheels.

Now, I just got a 21ft Class C with abundant ground clearance for those hard to get places I enjoy.

[RedRocket204]

Keith099 wrote:
From what I've seen, my 32' can fit about anywhere except tent or the real pop-up sites.

Sometimes it's not just about the sites... but getting to the sites. I can show you plenty of locations I would not take my 30' TT and it has me considering downsizing. Yes, these are more remote locations for boondocking. So, in my case it is not about the space to park the TT but getting to that area which involves many tight switchbacks.

It 100% depends on your individual expectation of where you are looking to camp. It is very rare when I can't get my 30' TT in a RV park.

[Keith099]

From what I've seen, my 32' can fit about anywhere except tent or the real pop-up sites. My truck is a F150 Supercrew short bed, so about 1 ft shorter than yours. Might matter for back-in sites lacking on opposite side swing clearance.

I think 34-35' is where possibilities start dropping quickly.

For scouting sites, Google Earth's measure tool is your friend. I use it often, and it's amazingly accurate.

[stufarmer]

The Depends on where you want to go comment is very appropriate. As we're all different, for us we're a little more spontaneous. That taking a right and going over there is a little more our style. For example if you ever travel north of San Francisco all along Hwy 1/101 you'll find these breath taking turnouts you'll be forced to pass because you can't fit into them. Something else, watch and you'll see on MANY 2 lane mountainous roads, the 5th wheels and longer Travel Trailers use a little more off the black top and more of the roadside gravel while making right hand turns as they navigating the narrower roads. Between the re-fueling, finding parking at markets and not to mention the ability to stop road side in the little towns mama loves so much, just to walk threw the locally owned art and antique stores. For us, it's more about the travel, than the destination. So, after our experiences stories, remember your overall length is the factor in every mile you travel. Good Luck.

[fugawi]

BubbaChris wrote:


Since our local spots are within your range, here are some of my thoughts by spot:
Snow Canyon SP - I can only think of 1 space that's truly good for a TT that length, so you'd need reservations and be willing to go very slow around that loop.

Pine Valley - I know of multiple sites in the Crackfoot loop that can handle a 32' TT

Zion River Resort - most of the back-in riverside sites with the river's sound effects are too short, but they have plenty of long pull throughs that would work.

Zion NP Watchman - Definitely has some that could handle a 32' TT

Cedar Breaks Point Supreme CG - I see some longer rigs there, but I didn't watch them put them into those spaces. We'll be there in a few weeks and take note again.

Duck Creek - Definitely saw some longer TT's there.

Sand Hollow SP - Lots of spots that are long enough.

That's all for now off the top of my head.

Happy camping!

Thanks for the insight on these campgrounds. We have stayed at Snow Canyon, Pine Valley, and Beaver Creek with our shorter trailer, but didn't scout sites for suitability of longer trailers. Looking forward to checking out some of the others as well as southeast Utah.

[fugawi]

rbpru wrote:


We learned that if my DW wants to hunt down every quilt shop in town, we better have a TT that can be maneuvered through the city streets.

🙂

[F1bNorm]

My experience is this: Ex. You have a 100 space camp ground. 1/3 is marked 24' max, 1/3 28' max, 1/3 marked 32' max. If you have a 24', you have access to all 100 spaces. A 32' you have access to 33.

Other thoughts, the longer the rig, sometimes you have to pass on the really neat spot by the river or because of the length, there is no way you can level it on the slope.

There are times I really miss my little 15' TT!

Norm

[TacoPuller]

aftermath wrote:

colliehauler wrote:
Depends where you want to camp.

Bingo! This sums it up perfectly. When I read posts about longer trailers it really kills me when people chime in with statements like "I always find places where I want to camp." Well, if this means you always camp at private places like KOAs then you are correct. I can tell you that it is a FACT that when you go up to a 32 you will be limited at national parks and campgrounds. If you research and reserve ahead you might be fine but it is harder to find places for the larger trailers. If you like to just go and find places when you get there you will have some real problems.

As far as towing, others have summed it up nicely. This shouldn't be a big issue as long as you have a TV up to the task. The actual driving and backing won't be a problem.

By all means, get what you want. But just remember that it will limit you in some regards. It will also provide many benefits in others.

x2. I just finished a 1700 mile trip over the 4th. I had to cancel 3 state park reservations because I couldn't fit my 22' rig into the reserved spots due to parked cars and long trailers intruding into the drive in front of the 'large' reserved sites. I couldn't turn sharp enough without running into someones truck or trailer. Got the refunds, and went to state forest campgrounds which were only half full; but only for short rigs. I will never make a reservation at a state park again.

[aftermath]

colliehauler wrote:
Depends where you want to camp.

Bingo! This sums it up perfectly. When I read posts about longer trailers it really kills me when people chime in with statements like "I always find places where I want to camp." Well, if this means you always camp at private places like KOAs then you are correct. I can tell you that it is a FACT that when you go up to a 32 you will be limited at national parks and campgrounds. If you research and reserve ahead you might be fine but it is harder to find places for the larger trailers. If you like to just go and find places when you get there you will have some real problems.

As far as towing, others have summed it up nicely. This shouldn't be a big issue as long as you have a TV up to the task. The actual driving and backing won't be a problem.

By all means, get what you want. But just remember that it will limit you in some regards. It will also provide many benefits in others.

[mosseater]

We do state parks and have put my 34' trailer in several "30 foot" sites. I have not had an issue in 8 years, but just be aware that many sites are rated not just on overall length, but on pad configuration, ie, the trailer area and the lead-in driveway are two different angles or elevations. You can run out of tongue jack before you get a longer trailer level.

It's very disappointing to get all unhitched and set up to find out your tongue won't go high, or low engough. You have to be able to read it before you unhitch. Going higher isn't too much trouble if you have some blocking, but when you can't go low enough, that means the whole trailer must be raised (pads under all axles in additions to what's needed for side to side level). Every time I have some slope front to back I always consider adding height before I unhitch just to be safe.

[goatrancher]

Seems the biggest problem might be in a NF or NP campground where the length is specified.

[BubbaChris]

fugawi wrote:
We really appreciate all of the insight. It is so helpful to be able to learn from the experience of others!

We have mostly been camping at state or national parks within about 6 hours of Las Vegas. Most campgrounds have many spaces that accommodate larger trailers. There are a couple though that will have fewer spots with a 30'+ trailer, like Joshua Tree NP and Cave Lake State Park.

We are trying to make sure we can find camps spots as we start to visit new places, probably mostly in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and California. Some of the places don't take reservations and we want to avoid ending up with a shorter space available but not being able to fit -- it sounds like that will be infrequent.

It sounds like from a towing standpoint there isn't a big difference in 28' vs 30' vs 32'.

Thank you 🙂

Since our local spots are within your range, here are some of my thoughts by spot:
Snow Canyon SP - I can only think of 1 space that's truly good for a TT that length, so you'd need reservations and be willing to go very slow around that loop.

Pine Valley - I know of multiple sites in the Crackfoot loop that can handle a 32' TT

Zion River Resort - most of the back-in riverside sites with the river's sound effects are too short, but they have plenty of long pull throughs that would work.

Zion NP Watchman - Definitely has some that could handle a 32' TT

Cedar Breaks Point Supreme CG - I see some longer rigs there, but I didn't watch them put them into those spaces. We'll be there in a few weeks and take note again.

Duck Creek - Definitely saw some longer TT's there.

Sand Hollow SP - Lots of spots that are long enough.

That's all for now off the top of my head.

Happy camping!

[gmckenzie]

I went from a 25 to 34 ft. Normal towing is no different but I don't go to somewhat remote sites any more. Some of the places I could take the old trailer are too windy of roads to feel comfortable with the longer trailer so it pretty much stays on pavement now. I've also had one campsite where the size was going to be an issue, but then realized they didn't allow dogs so couldn't stay there anyway.

Get a good WDH and sway control of some sort. You will notice the wind more than you did.