Trailer Length - Length of What?

[down_but_not_ou]

Two questions:

1)I've been trailering for 36 years and just realized my understanding regarding the meaning of trailer length may be wrong. If a trailer is reported to be 23' long, is that the length of the trailer body or the trailer body plus the tongue? I just measured my TT's body and found it to be two feet shorter than its published length. This doesn't fit into either the with tongue or without tongue definition, since the tongue is nearly four feet long.

2)I am looking at Lance brand travel trailers to replace my current TT. Lance provides two length figures, floor length and overall length. In determining appropriate trailer length for a tow vehicle, based on the TV's wheelbase, does a person consider the trailer's floor length or overall length (which I assume includes the tongue)? I would guess you should consider the overall length. Note: The models I am considering are all at least 20% lighter, loaded, than the maximum towing capacity of my TV. Weight is not the issue here.

[RedRocket204]

It really is confusing to a lot of people.

As a general rule, I always consider the model number the length of the cabin/coach.

And then measure Point to Bumper for total length. That would be for legal purposes, access and campsites.

[Fisherman]

It's like the size they use to describe a TV screen, it's measured diagonally. So to get the full effect, do you have to get in a chair, put on the seatbelt and jack up one side..:W

[scbwr]

nhshep wrote:
Our travel trailer was advertised as 26 feet by the RV dealer.

I am not sure at a campground when they quote a length restriction if they mean bumper to ball mount coupler or living box space. Never had a length problem.

A always tell campgrounds that my trailer is 30" rather than the "label" size, hoping that I a larger, rather than smaller campsite and plenty of room for the slideout.

[nhshep]

Our travel trailer was advertised as 26 feet by the RV dealer.
Actual length rear bumper to ball mount coupler is 29 feet.
If I were to measure from rear spare tire to coupler it is 29'10".

We store the trailer in a place that goes by measured feet length.
I pay for 29 feet as much as I would like to pay for 26 living space.

If someone were in an accident I am sure the police would measure the physical length bumper to ball mount coupler. I am not sure at a campground when they quote a length restriction if they mean bumper to ball mount coupler or living box space. Never had a length problem.

The length question comes to play when considering wheel base towable length. Dealers should quote total bumper to ball mount coupler not living box space. IMHO.

[WoodGlue]

down but not out wrote:

hmknightnc wrote:
Have absolutely no idea where this unsubstantiated rumor of limits of Trailer length vs Tow Vehicle wheelbase came from. Someone on where came up with a chart of some sort with limits. That chart of vehicle wheel base vs trailer length said you can't tow a 34' trailer with a standard cab 8' bed dually. That's just silly.

Been pulling trailers of all types for over 30 years. Always found the longer trailers pull better than short ones.

Controversial subject. I am quite reluctant to use my 2012 Yukon (116" wheelbase) to pull a 27'-overall trailer although the weight of the trailer in question is fine for my vehicle.

hmknightnc X2 on this statement!

It does matter what the wheelbase of the TV is and it would be silly to not taking a small wheelbase into account. No way would I tow a 28' or 29' trailer. It's called "tailwagging" on a short wheel base vehicle!

WoodGlue

[Chuck_thehammer]

what am I missing? Semi-truck-trailer... the tractor is shorter than a long bed pickup and they pull 48 footers all the time and 80,000 pounds.

[DarylSue]

My 28' trailer is actually 33'5"......ball to bumper.

[scbwr]

Seems to me that manufacturers have really shifted to using numbers that reflect the size of the "box" and the actual length is usually 2-3 feet longer. We're searching for a new trailer that would be 28' or less overall, and any model description we find is somewhere between 21 & 24.

[miltvill]

Bumper to hitch ball is the correct overall length. The model number published is for marketing purposes only. Look for overall length. Some manufacturers publish the overall length as bumper to hitch. The model number may be the box length. Evergreen Everlite TT changed their model numbers to reflect the box and not the overall length (2013). Makes the TT LOOK smaller for people looking for a TT that will fit into smaller camp sites.

[down_but_not_ou]

hmknightnc wrote:
If your within the wieght ratings of your Tow Vehicle meaning carrying capacity (Take your pick of Rear Axle, GVWR, or Payload based on your understanding/comfort) which has little to nothing to do with the manufactures tow ratings then length is not a problem either. Have absolutely no idea where this unsubstantiated rumor of limits of Trailer length vs Tow Vehicle wheelbase came from. Someone on where came up with a chart of some sort with limits. That chart of vehicle wheel base vs trailer length said you can't tow a 34' trailer with a standard cab 8' bed dually. That's just silly.

Been pulling trailers of all types for over 30 years. Always found the longer trailers pull better than short ones.

Controversial subject. I am quite reluctant to use my 2012 Yukon (116" wheelbase) to pull a 27'-overall trailer although the weight of the trailer in question is fine for my vehicle.

[hmknightnc]

If your within the wieght ratings of your Tow Vehicle meaning carrying capacity (Take your pick of Rear Axle, GVWR, or Payload based on your understanding/comfort) which has little to nothing to do with the manufactures tow ratings then length is not a problem either. Have absolutely no idea where this unsubstantiated rumor of limits of Trailer length vs Tow Vehicle wheelbase came from. Someone on where came up with a chart of some sort with limits. That chart of vehicle wheel base vs trailer length said you can't tow a 34' trailer with a standard cab 8' bed dually. That's just silly.

Been pulling trailers of all types for over 30 years. Always found the longer trailers pull better than short ones.

[mrp116]

My 28' trailer is actually 31' 11".

[69_Avion]

I have built many trailers and when you take them to MVD (in my state) they measure overall length. That is what is on the Title. That doesn't mean that length is used for advertising length for travel trailers.

[WoodGlue]

To answer #2 You should take into consideration overall length, from the rear bumper to the ball hitch.

At least I did that with my short-base Land Rover TV.

WoodGlue

[ScottG]

You really have to look at the literature. I've seen 26'~27' models that were actually 28 to 31' long.
I think the model number generally describes the size of the "house" but they take liberties with it sometimes.