QUESTION FOR LONG TT OWNERS

[RDSR6]

I am considering buying a Shadow Cruiser 313BHS with an overall length of 35'5". I have towed car haulers and a 24' hybrid camper borrowed from a friend but never anything nearly this long. My TV is an F250 CC with a short bed so the overall length of my rig will be between 56-57' long. Obviously I would have to watch getting stuck in some tight places and be careful on some turns just like when pulling any trailer. My real question is how much trickier is it pulling/maneuvering the longer trailer compared to the shorter ones? Will it be a considerable difference in managing turns and backing into spots?

Thanks in advance for any input.

[MackinawMan]

Our Eagle is 35' long and we tow it with an extended cab/long bed F350...suffice it to say we are LONG.

Having said that, as long as you understand that there are just some places you're not going to be able to go, and that you are always thinking ahead a bit about where to fuel, shop when hooked up, campground layouts, etc. you will be fine.

[PenMan]

My trailer is 37 ft. and truck is 22 ft. so 59 ft. total. Simple to tow and even easier to back than a short trailer. You do have to be aware of your length so you don't book a space that is too small but that is just common sense. It doesn't take long to get used to the length but I am still getting used to the width of my rear end :B (dually).

[BarneyS]

WATCH YOUR TAIL SWING!

The longer trailers often have a longer overhang behind the trailer axles. This helps keep the tongue weight manageable. Be very careful of that overhang "swing out" when making sharp turns. It will swing out opposite the direction you are turning so if you are real close to a building, fence, pole, tree, or even another car, you run the chance of hitting it with the rear corner of your trailer when you turn.

I got stuck one time in my sons campground when I made a sharp turn into a campsite and there was a tree too close to my right side. The rear bumper of my trailer got wedged in that tree and my son had to cut a piece out of the tree to get me out. I could not move either forward or back and could not raise the tongue to unhook. Doing any of those things would have ripped the back cap off of the trailer. I learned a valuable lesson about tail swing of my new trailer on that trip! :E 😮
Barney

[RDSR6]

Thanks for all the input so far, it is definitely easing my mind a bit.

[kknowlton]

Backing into a campsite with a steep approach angle (90 degrees or less) is more difficult with a longer TT. We ran into this a few times with our previous 34-footer. Once the turn is actually made, however, the longer trailer behaves a bit better, taking longer before it starts heading off in a direction you didn't intend, than a shorter trailer does. What you may find is that your campsites are limited, especially in national & state parks, due to the length of the TT. Many of those campsites were designed years ago, when trailers weren't that large.

[Drew_K]

You'll be fine. I have a 2013 F250 and tow our TT, at 34' long overall, and an enclosed car trailer that's 24' long. I need a little more room to back the TT into my storage spot and I can tell the TT is a little heavier, but otherwise there isn't a big difference in towing between these two. Going forward, you need a *little* more room to turn, mainly for right hand turns obviously.

[RDSR6]

Worse case scenario I can think of is getting on some small roads leading to a campground and having to make some tight turns. Does the overhang over the rear of the tires tend to swing wide enough to catch any obstacles? I would imagine a 90 degree right hand turn could cause some issues but I guess you just have to watch and if there is doubt find a new route.

[fx2tom]

My TT and Truck combo is just about identical to yours. I fond it easier to maneuver than a shorter trailer, as long as you plan ahead.

[Jack_Diane_Free]

We have a 35ft TT with 20ft truck. No problems with turning, backing or getting gas. Enjoy.

[jerem0621]

My experience is with a 31.5 ft trailer. I never had a problem, and the view out of the rear view mirror is the same. No worries, you will be fine.

Backing seems to be easier with a longer trailer. My FIL's 24 ft TT gave me more of a fit than my TT.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Dog_Trainer]

The OAL of my unit is 35' with the truck I am at about 55'. I think you have to look ahead when it comes to fuel etc.. and there are some campgrounds that you will be a bit long for. Beyond that I do not see a big difference. As far as backing up I think the longer trailer is easier than the short. You can turn pretty hard with the longer unit and push it into place. The short units tend to over correct when you push on them.

[FrankShore]

Not much difference.

One rule to remember and print it into your brain!

Your pivot point are your rear tires on the rig. If they clear an object, you're good to turn

Turn before that and you're in a world of hurt!