Travel Trailer Length

[Jon P]

Hi guys,

I’m looking at a travel trailer to tow behind our SWB Expy and although it light weight, under 4800lbs and the hitch weight is under 500lbs, the trailer is just over 29' long. Does anyone here tow a trailer 29' or greater with a SWB Expy? Would appreciate your feedback on your experience and whether or not you think 29' + is a bit long for the swb Expy? I do realize a lot depends on your hitch and sway bar set up.

Thanks!
Jon

 

[B-McD]

Jon - I have a 30' Ultra Light(!) that I have taken from IL to Mount Rushmore last year with no issues. Equalizer WD hitch setup and off we went. Longer wheelbases will tend to tow better but 4800 lbs should be fine. Mine is 6300 lbs.

 

[Jon P]

Thanks B-McD! The trip you mentioned is what we want to do next summer....been out there a few years ago in our GMC motorhome and had a blast!

 

[coolzzy]

Are you talking a out unloaded Weights? I have an ultralight that is 29ft long bumper to tongue (technically it's a 25ft trailer) and it lists a 4800 pound unloaded weight with 500 pound tongue. Well in practice, it weighs 6200 pounds with a 900 pound tongue weight (with fresh tank full) do be careful what numbers you go by. It will never ever ever be at the factory unloaded weight. I use a 4 point friction sway hitch (husky centerline TS) and it tows great. The SWB isn't a great deal shorter than the LWB so as long as your hitch is setup correctly (correct ball height, correct tension on the weight bars) and you keep your speed below 70, you should be fine.

 

[B-McD]

If you can buy the trailer and the WD hitch from the same dealer, they will likely set it up for you and help you set brake bias, etc. At least my dealer did that for us. And what Coolzzy says is true, keep that speed at 70 or under. Most trailer tires from the factory are not rated for anything higher. I have not ever traveled with full fresh water tanks but you need to factor all that weight in plus your gear. Have fun!!

 

[CaptOchs]

Check out the trailer tow guides at http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides.

I tow 7000 lbs with 2003 XLT. If you have the trailer tow package, you ought to be fine.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The big issue is, do you have the factory HD Towing option ? It includes and upgraded radiator and an auxiliary transmission cooler. It also is pre-wired for electric brakes (7 pin connector in the rear).

All of these can and SHOULD be added before towing anything over 4000 lbs !

 

[chuck s]

Don't count on the trailer dealer setting your WDH properly. It will be good enough to get home but plan on a couple of hours on a level surface making it right. Likewise with gain on the brake controller which needs to be set with the brakes warm and which will change as they wear in. Neither is a difficult task but you can bet the dealer's setup will be marginal at best.

Another significant issue is the lug nuts on a new trailer will be loose sitting on the lot and after "dealer prep." They naturally loosen in use for the first several hundred miles. Bring your torque wrench and torque them before you leave the lot. Pull into every rest area and check; some will loosen. Then check every other rest area until they stop. After that you only need to check before every trip. (I had several lug nuts actually fall out of a boat trailer with my J/24 sailboat on it.)

-- Chuck