How big of a camper is too big to pull around?
 

I'm ready to pull the trigger any day now,. and have been looking at a bunch of different ones. I was originally thinking 30 ft, but man, when you stand back and look at a 30 footer non fifth wheel, that sucker is long. I can see that being seriously tough navigating through heavy traffic, getting in and out of gas stations, or if you needed to make a u turn.
I looked at a 26 ' fifth wheel, and that looks like I could easily tow that anywhere, but then the inside space is somewhat limited. We are more or less planning on road trips, as opposed to parking it in a campground somewhere.
Any thoughts , advice?

I have a 26 foot long bumper pull Raptor toy hauler. The actual overall length in right at 30 feet. I wouldn't want to go any bigger.

Pulling it isn't actually very bad.

What brands are you looking at?

Bill

I say think of living space at your destination. I have a 34' tt and have had no problems turning around or navigateing gas stations. After a few trips it'll be a breeze. And you'll appreciate the extra room. Good luck
Mike

BTW I have a raptor 30fs toyhauler 34' love the garage

Nice mdj930 I have the 26fs. I didn't like that there wasn't heat back in the garage of the 30. Mine gets used for elk season at 10,000 feet and it would get chilly!

Bill

I have a 30' Dutchmen bumper pull, and wouldn't want or need it any bigger. The difference between our camper and my inlaw's 28 ft is storage, where we have a full pantry, they have not enough storage without getting creative.

As far as going down the road with it, I have no problems whatsoever pulling , manuevering, or backing this camper. I would not go over 30' for another reason, most parks and campgrounds will accept a 30 footer, but far less will accept much larger campers because of space considerations.

You really have to plan our your gas stops with a large rig.

Diesel? No problem!!!

Gas? Holy Moly if I pull into that one, I might get stuck.

I have a 34 foot RV with a 24 foot trailer on the back that takes gas. I won't even pull into a station if I can't see a clear "exit strategy"...

So is 30' too long? I'm 62 feet long in total and I manage. :)

A tow-behind will track the tow vehicle better than a 5th wheel in turns. A 5th wheel will track toward the inside of a turn. I've got a 34' 5th wheel. It is common knowledge that a 5th wheel is much more maneuverable than a tow-behind. My biggest concern is always the height. There has been a few places we have had to detour. That usually doesn't happen with a tow-behind. What will the tow vehicle be?

I'm finding this thread very interesting.

Do you guys have pics of your setups? I have some motorhome experience, but haul my 30' equipment trailer all over. A lot of places are no-go, but with the axles in the rear, it's very maneuverable, like a semi trailer. If the axles were in the center, then I'd have demolished countless other cars, light poles, signs, etc getting in and out of Home Depot, Lowes, etc etc.

http://www.ddturner.com/camper.jpg

http://www.ddturner.com/camper2.jpg

Also consider the parking/storage/park charges. The biguns get a surcharge or won't take them or have limited space.

State parks are the only limit we have run into(besides low bridges). We've never been charged for an oversized rig, though we have often opted to pay more for larger sites. Most campgrounds we go to will not allow anything under 30' in an over sized site. They reserve them for bigger rigs.

Here is me.. Seems to go on forever when you're backing up. :)

The good news is, the longer your trailer, the slower it pivots when backing up. :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363653005.jpg

Oi.....bet you get on the highway and accelerate like a "herd of turtles".....BTW, nice graphics......;)

...the turtles laugh and give me the finger when they run by... :D

After what? 10 years? those graphics still look new!!! Wish the ones on teh coach held up as well.

I have a really nice tent, a coleman camping stove and an awesome sleeping bag.

That's how I started out 20 years ago.:D

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Show your grandkids who's the boss!

???

Roughin' it in the great outdoors
Guidebooks tell us where to go
Winnebago Warrior

Slow down traffic climbing hills
30 gallons to the mile
Honey, quick, the polaroid

Winnebago Warrior
Brave as old John Wayne
Winnebago Warrior
A true yankee pioneer

Stop at Stuckey's for a meal
Blab all day on the CB
Winnebago Warrior

Littered campgrounds, folding chairs
Feed Doritos to the bears
Honey, quick, the polaroid

Chorus

Kill some fish down by the creek
Hang their picture by the sink
Show your grandson who's the boss

Tie your two toat-goats to the front
U-Haul trailer full of souvenirs
That you buy along the way

Chorus

Here is mine. It is a 33 foot long toy hauler. Tows no problem. This was taken at Newport Dunes, that is why the spots are so small.

Dave
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/DSC_6739.jpg

I pulled a 34' Airstream around with a 3/4 ton Suburban, never had a problem.

what is the GVW on some of these rigs? Do you guys need special permits?

I was told that I need a special permit, but the Cali DMV told me no.

I think mine is like 25000 or so. No permit required although I have a CDL from driving a truck in college...

Here is my old set up:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363666927.jpg

My new setup (purchased in 2011):

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363666967.jpg

A picture of the rear of it in my driveway:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363667007.jpg

The gross vehicle wieght of mine fully loaded with 80 gallons of water, 25 gallons of gas, four wheelers etc is 12,500 pounds. I no longer have the Excursion but have an F350. I have never camped in an actual camground as we always camp on either state or national park land, where we know about spots. Living in Colorado has its advantages...:D

Bill

ok this is making some sense now. My trailer is around 24K GVW loaded, and the thing that I haul is around 12K of that, so half. I have brakes on all 4 of the trailer wheels. What kind of braking systems are on the camper trailers? Does anyone use air brakes or is an electronic braking system with a controller the most common?

Electronic with a controller.

That makes sense from a consumer standpoint. I could easily tow one of those then.

You guys with bumper hitches use a 2 5/8" ball? Anyone use a NATO style pintile hitch?

Yes, I believe mine is a 2 5/8" ball...

I get to play now. I bought a little smaller than I was originally thinking. It needs a little work as well, but like some of you, I love projects. I had to lift the floor, some soft spots, and lots of rot. Needs a good clean up, but should do us nicely.
We thought that we would buy a little cheaper, and kind of "break ourselves in" to the whole travel trailer thing.
Really easy to tow, I was able to back it into my driveway, and make a 90 degree turn into its temporary parking spot, until the ground dries up a little bit. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1364225587.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1364225601.jpg

Looking forward to camping season with the family .

I had to fix spongy floors also, I ripped up the carpet, layed down 3/8" underlayment, and then layed down linoleum that looks like oak hardwood floors. Finished it off with some gold annodized transition strips and it looks great for very little money.

Insert obligatory top gear video below.

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I have had 4 Airstreams. First a 28 foot motorhome then 3 trailers. Two were 31'. My current one is a 26' 1966 Model, they were lighter then, It weighs only 4500. Easy to tow with my V10 Excursion.

I replaced parts of the floor and the rear corner framing in the '78 Mallard I posted a picture of. That was a fun job since i had to take part of the aluminum siding off, rebuild the door and frame around it, replaced the heater.... I was always working on something it seemed like, tweaking things to make them better, etc.

That looks like a nice little 5th wheel, what kind of camping are you planning on doing?

Bill

beauty fastfred!!

camping rig.......
 

We have a 27 foot tow behind that is pulled by a 2003 Ford Diesel Excursion. The best thing about this rig is the 44 gallon fuel tank. I can go 600+ miles, drop the camper at the campground and then go fill up the fuel tank. I normally won't stop anywhere except at a truck stop with acres of manuvering room. One thing to consider is that some camp grounds won't allow trailers over a certain length. Also, some have lots of trees which can make getting in and out a challenge. The 27 footer has a large slide out and is plenty big enough for me and the wife.