Trailer too long for truck?

[mr61impala]

Back again.

We went to the RV Supershow in Tampa yesterday and found a trailer that checks most of our boxes.

Trailer specs: GVW is #7995, #UVW is #6327, dry hitch weight is #658. total length 32'9".

2019 Ram 1500 3.92 axle ratio #1780 rear axle payload #11,400 max towing capacity; all per Ram website after entering VIN#.

I think the weights are OK but how about the overall length? Anyone towing a trailer this long with a Ram 1500?

By the way, if you are in Florida it's worth a couple hour drive to experience the show.

[ssthrd]

otrfun wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
. . . the length of the trailer has no affect on the tow vehicle . . .

Definitely disagree. A 33 ft. TT has a lot of real estate on each side. Acts like a big sail when there's high side winds. The only thing that counters that twisting/swaying motion brought on by high side winds is the sheer weight of the truck. The heavier the TV the more stability.

We've towed a few 30+ ft 8k-10k TT's with a 1/2-ton (5.5k weight) and 1-ton SRW truck (8.2k weight). The 1-ton SRW truck's almost 3k of additional weight brings a lot more stability to the table when there's high winds.

Lastly, even a trailer that only weighs 8k-10k could be handful for 1-ton SRW truck with a tow rating of 16k **IF** the side surface of the trailer is extremely high with high side winds. At some point excessive side surface area on a trailer can easily make the truck's tow rating completely moot.

For a 33' travel trailer, the side force with a wind of 30 mph blowing perpendicular to the travel direction is about 2.3lbs/sq ft. Side area of the trailer is about 264 sq ft, so 264 x 2.3=(approx) 600 lbs of force.

An increase of 10 mph to 40 mph will cause a side force of 1080 lbs on that same trailer.

From www.engineersedge.com

The formula is 0.00256 x V^2 (in mph)= lbs/sq ft where V is wind velocity and 0.00256 is a constant.

Just sayin............:)

[kellem]

You'll end up within spec, but it'll be the upper end.
Just be aware, that trailer will have a 1000# tounge so just understand payload and how it works.

[Cummins12V98]

"Weight was never a problem but wind was."

ZACTLY

[mooky_stinks]

I towed a scaled 8300 lb 35ft Outback with a Chevy 1500 max tow 10 times a year for 6 years. Weight was never a problem but wind was. A couple trips I had to take secondary roads instead of the interstate. Ultimately it’s up to you and your set up. The hitch being dialed in is absolutely critical. Expect days when you won’t be able to relax. It’s certainly not for everyone. If you’re the type of person that gets nervous when your rig makes the slightest move then I would look for something smaller.

[valhalla360]

Your pushing that truck. If you keep the truck lightly loaded, you might be within ratings. I would expect a loaded hitch weight of around 1000lb. Assuming a family of 4, that could easily be an extra 500lb, so not much capacity for gear in the truck.

In calm conditions, the length won't have much impact but in a good cross wind, yes, it can start a tail wagging the dog situation and with a spongy suspension, the smaller 1/2 ton Dodge with coil rear springs, will be more susceptible. It's doable but probably not ideal.

[otrfun]

Dick_B wrote:
. . . the length of the trailer has no affect on the tow vehicle . . .

Definitely disagree. A 33 ft. TT has a lot of real estate on each side. Acts like a big sail when there's high side winds. The only thing that counters that twisting/swaying motion brought on by high side winds is the sheer weight of the truck. The heavier the TV the more stability.

We've towed a few 30+ ft 8k-10k TT's with a 1/2-ton (5.5k weight) and 1-ton SRW truck (8.2k weight). The 1-ton SRW truck's almost 3k of additional weight brings a lot more stability to the table when there's high winds.

Lastly, even a trailer that only weighs 8k-10k could be handful for 1-ton SRW truck with a tow rating of 16k **IF** the side surface of the trailer is extremely high with high side winds. At some point excessive side surface area on a trailer can easily make the truck's tow rating completely moot.

[Cummins12V98]

Wind with soft tires and longer TT will effect how it handles.

[Dick_B]

I think this topic has been discussed before and it is my uneducated opinion that the length of the trailer has no affect on the tow vehicle if the total weight and tongue load are within the trucks capability. However, there might be other reasons to avoid an extra long trailer such as getting into and out of a fuel station, maneuvering around campgrounds tight turns, etc.

[Cummins12V98]

That's a lot of tail.