pulling trailers over 35 feet.

[dojojones]

I have a 24 foot camper. We are thinking of upgrade to a 37 foot camper. I have a 3/4 ton dodge (gas). This is probably a stupid question but is my truck big enough to pull one? and 2. Are these big trailers used for regular travel camping or do people usually get permanent sites for them?

[ls1mike]

Tow a 35 foot overall Passport, right around 7500 lbs loaded. Season 4 no issues yet. Gets into the State parks in Washington and Oregon and bunch of other spots. My 3/4 ton gasser tows it fine. No sway, but I do have a 4 door long bed. it helps.

[GaryWT]

Once upon a time many 37 foot and longer TT were put on seasonal sites but now I think more are on the road. Of course longer fifth wheels are on the road as wells. As others said, more info on the truck and trailer are needed. Is the truck a crew cab? Longer wheel bases are better for longer trailers.

[gery_L]

I pull a 40' toybox 5th wheel with a 3500 Chevy Duramax 1 ton dually. Even though some trips are to other states or the Dunes, most of my trips are to the mountains (Camping, Hunting and/or fishing). I do not like camp grounds for those trips. In fact, if I can see or hear others, we go deeper into the woods along the logging roads for solitude.
I have found that it is very important to carry an electric Pole chain saw for those low hanging obstacles. It has been utilized multiple times. those snags are havoc for the rubber roof-line.........

It definitely does not just sit in a park.......

As far as your truck. There are many variables. Gross Combined Vehicle ratings of the truck. Hitch setup (Bumper pull vs 5th wheel). Suspension set up on the truck, ect.

Remember, the power to pull the truck is not the main concern. Stopping it is... Those bigger, longer heavier trailers take distance to stop in an emergency situations.....
So it is critical to make sure the truck is rated for the weight you are pulling.

[fx2tom]

I tow a 36 ft (hitch to bumper) Surveyor with a 5.7l Ram 2500. Tows it great. Depending on how your truck is set up it should not be an issue. Need more info on the truck.

[APT]

Lots of people tow 35' TTS all over the country. Length is only an issue when it comes to campsite selection and availability.

As for can you tow one? Well, 3/4 ton Dodges can tow 6000 pounds to 14000 pounds. 35' TTs weigh 6000 pounds to 12000 pounds. So not all 3/4 ton Dodges can tow all 35' TTs. You need to determine what your towing capability is for your specific truck and if it matches a specific TT you are interested in.

[2Macs]

We have a 35 foot TT that we use for weekend camping and long distance travel.

I tow it with a Chevy dually diesel 4 X 4 that tows like the TT isn't there.

[edbehnke]

you can pull with a gas truck...

lots of people pull large trailers for just vacations

and, lots of people keep them at one site.

[MarkTwain]

dojojones wrote:
I have a 24 foot camper. We are thinking of upgrade to a 37 foot camper. I have a 3/4 ton dodge (gas). This is probably a stupid question but is my truck big enough to pull one? and 2. Are these big trailers used for regular travel camping or do people usually get permanent sites for them?

How big is your Dodge engine? What areas i.e. states, mountain ranges etc etc will you be generally towing in. Recommend you install an exhaust brake if they make one for your engine. 37' to 40' trailers are in the longest group of trailers, with 32' to 34' pretty average, then the next group is 22' to 30". A 37' is fine for RVing other than just having a permanent site BUT generally, you will find yourself at the larger RV parks. In calif. you probably not fit in any of the forest service or state parks. Buy a good trailer hitch not a cheaper one. Make sure you have some good side mirrors, not the cheap kind that wobble and are hard to see with. Recommend installing a CB radio for the truck and a hand held CB for your spotter to help you in backing your rig into your RV site. I prefer a 5th wheel over a tow trailer. They tow better and are easier to back up with. Suggest you have 10 ply "G" rated tires for both your truck and trailer. I like the Good Year LT G640 "G" rated tires. You might want to look at the size of systems for both your tranny and cooling system, up grade if possible.

[tomman58]

WE have had Jayco travel trailers over 35' and presently one that is 40' We use a 3/4 ton truck Dmax diesel and have pulled for over 90,000 miles. We don't even know the trailer is there. Standard Reese hitch with anti sway bar.
The biggest hurdle is finding a good fueling station or just going to a truck stop. Secondly is to make sure that the RV park is cool with large trailers. Call them up to find out if their idea of a site is what you want.

[BobsYourUncle]

I'm working on a deal now to get myself a 35' TT.

And when I get it I will be towing it everywhere I would ever pull my 27' And it will be off road, on narrow logging roads and into lakes in the mountains and anywhere else I want to go like I do with every TT I have had.
Only difference will be a little extra caution pulling it through these areas. Might have to put some heavy duty skid castors on it though...

[carringb]

I use mine 2-3 weekends a month, 100% boon docking, most of it on dirt trails. It's nearly 40' and has 4 slide outs.