Is 27' too long?

[mprice]

We are considering down-sizing from a 32' fifth-wheel to a smaller bumper pull trailer. We'd still like a trailer large enough for longer trips (3-5 weeks) but, small enough to allow us to get into some smaller camping areas. 27'(bumper to hitch) seems to be a popular size. My question is for those of you with this size trailer; does the trailer length cause any access problems for you?

[Raywalkingbear]

We downsized from a 32' 5'er to a 24' TT for the same reason. We do a lot of camping at Yosemite and Forest Service areas. Note; When you make reservations, especially through the gov't site, the listed max length is different for 5'ers and TT's. Much shorter for the TT. Reason given is easier maneuverability of a 5'th wheel. We can most always get a reservation for a 24' TT, but if I list a 27' TT it comes up "no availability". Yes, the smaller unit takes some getting used to, but we much prefer being able to go whee we want. Max time we've spent in the TT is a little over 4 weeks before returning to home base.

[AH64ID]

We started with a 22'3", tongue to bumper, TT with spring under and 205/75R14 tires. It had more ground clearance than any of our friends similar sized trailers, and we put it into some small places.

After a few seasons we upgraded to our current TT, which is 29'3" tongue to bumper. It came from the factory with a spring over suspension, and 225/75R15 tires. I had to raise the ball 4.5" over my last camper, so it sits quite a but higher.

So far I cannot think of any places the bigger TT has limited us in campsites, and nearly all of our camping is boondocking. It's rare for us to stay in a campground, and each trip usually involves 5-50 miles of dirt, one way. The added ground clearance of our current TT is what has made it able to fit in many places a standard height TT wouldn't fit. Our total length is 51'7".

[campingken]

We owned a 21.5 Bigfoot that we used on several cross country trips. It was to hook, un-hook, and to tow, only needed a single anti sway bar, and we never found a camp site that was too small. For us it was the perfect length.

[Peg_Leg]

18 yrs with a 31' bumper pull and never had a problem. The only difference I see with my 5er is the increased height.

[69_Avion]

I have a 34' Avion that I rarely use anymore. It is an excellent trailer and it pulls like a dream. However, it is low enough, and long enough that it is hard to get off road very far. I like the shorter trailers.

[Gaffer222]

DP

[Gaffer222]

We are going the opposite direction of the OP. Just sold the HTT (22.5'). Ordered an Outback Terrain 250TRS (27.5' before extending rear bed slide which adds another 5') on March 27th. Should be getting it next week. We did not really want to go that big but after exhaustive TT shopping, this unit was the best fit.

Concerns are storing/parking 5' extra in the driveway and getting into our favorite spots. Overall I think we will not regret the decision but time will tell.

[Opie431]

We have not had any trouble with our 26 foot trailer getting places we can get into. We have camped in state, national and Provincal parks.

[Rainier]

I love my 27' TT! We have two kids and a slide and feel it is spacious. In fact, I wouldn't want anything much bigger. Its fairly maneuverable and I have no problems getting in some fairly tight spaces that larger trailers would.

Just my opinion:)

Matt

[jjwms]

After 10 years fulltiming we traded our 36' fifth wheel in onto a 31' fifth wheel. That lasted for a year and we realized it along with the dually pickup was too big to get into US Forest Service CGs in our area. So we downsized to a 28' class A motorhome. On long weekends or trips we tow a 2012 Jeep Liberty. But now we can get into almost any campground plus have the 4,000 watt generator when needed to run the air conditioner. And at our age it is a lot more comfortable for us and everything is on one floor when we get into the unit. Yeah, my knees have begun to talk to me when I negotiate stairs.

[GMT830]

DW and I are spending the summer in an older Fleetwood 29L, no slides. I have to admit I haven't measured it so I'm not sure if that's ball to bumper or carpeted floor. We did several weekends last year and never had any trouble getting spots or getting in and out.

Floor plan is really important to determining feels big or small to you. We love our layout. Rear walk around queen, walk through bath (we'd never get a camper without that) and front kitchen.

The downfall of our camper is not much closet space which seems to be a result of the walk through bath. Our daughter has an even older 32 footer. Same basic layout except tiny tiny bath and tons of closets.

I was thinking if the DW and I were camping every week/weekend I would be looking in the 32-34 foot range. Not ridiculous long but just a little more closet space and room to stretch out.

[Drbolasky]

mbopp wrote:
26-1/2' ball to bumper for us.

You really need to look at floorplans and how much storage is available,

Excellent advice, IMHO. Down-sizing makes no sense if you get stuck with a floor plan you don't like. Envision how you plan to use the trailer - weekends? 2-3 week trips? Trips of a month or more?

We've been at 28' the last 15 years and have encountered very few sites that were too small (we generally use FHU sites). Good luck and happy shopping. 🙂

[rfryer]

I think how and where you want to camp is more the issue. If you want hu’s and are happy with the developed and easier access campgrounds the 27’should work fine. If the plan is to get back away from the crowds on unimproved roads, like national forests, then even 25’ is a bit big. Then, too, the latter is going to be dry camping. There will always be more options for a smaller TT than a larger one, but it’s a moot point if you’re not going there.

[MarkTwain]

Suggestion:
Make a list of all the RV parks, areas you want to RV in. Now find out the size of the sites in each of the RV parks or areas. Now you have accurate information that will help you select the size of a trailer.