Any 30'+ Travel Trailer owners out there?

[ynpmoose]

I currently have a 4850dry/7000max TT that is 26.5' long (old style flatter front) and it tows beautifully with an Equalizer hitch on my 2016 Expy. No sway unless there is a decent crosswind or a truck really flys past, even then it's manageable by just dropping 5-10 mph. I pretty much have been able to keep to the speed limit all over the northeast, rarely dropping speed a hair on really big/long hills, just to not beat-up the truck unnecessarily.

With 4 kids, I'd really like to get a quad bunk TT. I'm considering one that is 5600dry/7500max, with a more sloped front, so I'm not worried about the weight at all. My bigger concern is that this thing is 33' long. That is 6.5' feet longer and I'm concern that I may start having sway issues.

Any feedback from big TT owners is appreciated.

 

[johnboneske]

I'm towing a Outback 293UBH that's 32 1/2' long without any issues, I tow it with a 2003 too.

 

[coolzzy]

What model/brand are you looking at with quad bunks at that weight (does it have a slide?)? I'd love to do the same thing but the weight typically rules out these trailers for me. Also keep in mind where you like to camp, will you still be able to maneuver a trailer that much longer into your favorite spots?

Also, do you have an EL or a short wheelbase expedition? If EL, I think you'd still be OK as long as your hitch was dialed in correctly, you'd more than likely have to change it when moving it to the new trailer. Also consider tongue weight, the longer trailer will probably have a higher tongue weight which comes off your payload number on the expedition.

 

[ynpmoose]

I'm looking at this model:

https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2017-coachmen-freedom-express-travel-trailer-floorplan-29se-tr31529

The spread axle is supposed to help with tongue weight and stability. Tongue weight is about 100# more than what I have now on my non-spread axle trailer. I still have plenty of adjustment left in the Equalizer to take that much.

I have the EL.

 

[johnboneske]

What model/brand are you looking at with quad bunks at that weight (does it have a slide?)? I'd love to do the same thing but the weight typically rules out these trailers for me. Also keep in mind where you like to camp, will you still be able to maneuver a trailer that much longer into your favorite spots?

Also, do you have an EL or a short wheelbase expedition? If EL, I think you'd still be OK as long as your hitch was dialed in correctly, you'd more than likely have to change it when moving it to the new trailer. Also consider tongue weight, the longer trailer will probably have a higher tongue weight which comes off your payload number on the expedition.

I don't know what the big deal is? I tow a 33 1/2' Keystone Outback 293 UBH that's dry at 5800, and has a GVWR of 7600 without any issues and it's the old 5.4 2 valve. I can't imagine having a newer 3 valve with a 6 speed or the Ecobeast!

A properly set up WD hitch is the answer to it all, don't cheap out on a crappy one that costs $300 and wonder why it sucks so bad, or it sways all the time...

I have an Equalizer E4 with 6 washers on the head, and a prodigy brake controller and have never felt unsafe... You will be just fine!

 

[ynpmoose]

I don't know what the big deal is? I tow a 33 1/2' Keystone Outback 293 UBH that's dry at 5800, and has a GVWR of 7600 without any issues and it's the old 5.4 2 valve. I can't imagine having a newer 3 valve with a 6 speed or the Ecobeast!

A properly set up WD hitch is the answer to it all, don't cheap out on a crappy one that costs $300 and wonder why it sucks so bad, or it sways all the time...

I have an Equalizer E4 with 6 washers on the head, and a prodigy brake controller and have never felt unsafe... You will be just fine!

I had no concerns about power or hitch weight control. My main concern is the extra 6.5' of side wall to catch crosswind and passing semis. I do have the Equalizer E4 as well, so it seems like this is not a bad bet that it will be fine.

 

[JExpedition07]

I had no concerns about power or hitch weight control. My main concern is the extra 6.5' of side wall to catch crosswind and passing semis. I do have the Equalizer E4 as well, so it seems like this is not a bad bet that it will be fine.

EL and non EL models handle very similarly. It’s a measly 12” of wheelbase extra.....If my last standard length wasn’t up to the task to pull it safely neither is my EL. I think you’ll be fine so long as you set it all up correctly.

 

[Iamsam1117]

Check out a hitch on our 30ft trailer "The Hensley Arrow" no problems whatsoever

 

[Ilka Wagner]

I'm towing a Outback 293UBH that's 32 1/2' long without any issues, I tow it with a 2003 too.

What is your GVWR on your trailer?

 

[mike lemon]

@018 EXP platinum. Tow Jayco Swift 294BHS (33 foot, 6200# empty). Equalizer hitch setup. Tows very well. Not in mountains yet, but my 2010 EXP did well through KY and TN, so with more hp and torque expect even easier time with same trailer. notice it there for sure but never felt overwhelmed.

 

[Nickattu]

I am in a similar situation - Quad bunk with 4 kids. We pull a Cruiser RV - Shadow Cruiser 280QBS. I have a 2017 EL Limited.

Here is the floorpan - https://www.cruiserrv.com/2018/travel-trailers/shadow-cruiser/sc-280qbs

I Just weighed Saturday in prep for our trip out west this week. With my Reese Stediflex WDH - here are my weights from the CAT Scale:

Steer (Front) Axle - 2940
Drive (Rear) Axle - 4220
Trailer - 5740

Tongue Weight - 860 (13%)

My Gross Combined Weight is 12,900

 

[cullinan18]

Keep in mind tongue weight is usually around 12-13% of trailer weight, so you code easily hit 1,000# tongue. What's your cargo capacity? My 2017 Limited is just under 1,400#, so wife, kids, me, and other stuff (cell phones, air compressor, dog, etc) wouldn't be possible with that heavy of a trailer.

 

[johnboneske]

What is your GVWR on your trailer?

7600 pounds, I am just shy of 7000 though, we never tow with water

 

[JasonH]

My trailer is 31 ft and 7600 lbs. I think we're around 7k. Took it to the scale but forget the final number. Anyway, I wouldn't go any larger. With a family of five we're basically out of payload. All the trailers I've looked at with more than 1 slide and a bunkhouse are too heavy.

 

[johnboneske]

My trailer is 31 ft and 7600 lbs. I think we're around 7k. Took it to the scale but forget the final number. Anyway, I wouldn't go any larger. With a family of five we're basically out of payload. All the trailers I've looked at with more than 1 slide and a bunkhouse are too heavy.

they quit making my trailer in 2018, but if you can find one, it has a bunk house for sleeping for 4, and a queen bed in front with a slide. The GVWR is 7600 pounds.

 

[Jim Trombley]

I would recommend adding a sway control bar to your equalizer hitch if you don't have one. I have a 2017 Expedition Limited and tow 28.5ft 2016 Nomad with flat front and high ceilings. I use equalizer load bearing hitch with sway control bar. It tows great mostly without swaying but with high ceilings, it is scary when 18 wheelers pass by. The draft really pushes hard on the camper and can cause sway. To minimize this I stay under 60mph and stay in the right lane on highways with semi's. If I go over 65 the big rig draft can cause my expeditions sway control to kick in. Just hold the steering wheel hard and let it pass.

 

[Networkit]

We have 2018 Limited with HD tow package and tow 25" Grand Design 21BHE and granted its smaller than most listed, but we barely notice it's there.. could not be happier.

 

[johnboneske]

I would recommend adding a sway control bar to your equalizer hitch if you don't have one. I have a 2017 Expedition Limited and tow 28.5ft 2016 Nomad with flat front and high ceilings. I use equalizer load bearing hitch with sway control bar. It tows great mostly without swaying but with high ceilings, it is scary when 18 wheelers pass by. The draft really pushes hard on the camper and can cause sway. To minimize this I stay under 60mph and stay in the right lane on highways with semi's. If I go over 65 the big rig draft can cause my expeditions sway control to kick in. Just hold the steering wheel hard and let it pass.

The Equalizer E4 has built in sway control

 

[Dr0idattack]

The Equalizer E4 has built in sway control

Correct. There is an E2 that may just be a weight distribution hitch.

 

[Steve in WV]

Correct. There is an E2 that may just be a weight distribution hitch.

E2 has sway control too. Just two point instead of the E4's 4 point.