Standard Mirrors & Max Trailer Width
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 414
I towed my 21', 8' wide TT the other day with stock mirrors a few miles the other day I could see 1/2 way down the trailer. I would not want to go on a trip that way.
I do however have these snap ons, and they work awesome
I do however have these snap ons, and they work awesome
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,698
Likes: 12,825
From: Wyoming
Did somebody yell, "Pile on!!!!"?
Yes, you need wider mirrors. Either put some temporary towing mirrors on or switch your OEM mirrors with towing mirrors. In my opinion, the temp towing mirrors are dorky looking. I've heard that some aftermarket (non-OEM) towing mirrors have a tendency to shake like they've had way too much caffeine.
Most toy haulers are too heavy for a 1/2 ton truck. My toy hauler has a GVWR of 11K. I towed it a few times with my 1/2 ton truck, but just between the house and the storage lot. It was a white knuckle ride and I broke a leaf spring bracket and shackle. If there's nothing in the trailer's garage, the tongue weight is huge. That's not to say that a much lighter toy hauler won't perform better, just letting you know.
Tow mirrors can be expensive. Buying a 3/4 ton truck might be less expensive.
Yes, you need wider mirrors. Either put some temporary towing mirrors on or switch your OEM mirrors with towing mirrors. In my opinion, the temp towing mirrors are dorky looking. I've heard that some aftermarket (non-OEM) towing mirrors have a tendency to shake like they've had way too much caffeine.
Most toy haulers are too heavy for a 1/2 ton truck. My toy hauler has a GVWR of 11K. I towed it a few times with my 1/2 ton truck, but just between the house and the storage lot. It was a white knuckle ride and I broke a leaf spring bracket and shackle. If there's nothing in the trailer's garage, the tongue weight is huge. That's not to say that a much lighter toy hauler won't perform better, just letting you know.
Tow mirrors can be expensive. Buying a 3/4 ton truck might be less expensive.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Agreed on bigger mirrors. Started thinking 6x12 box trailer for toys and hauling, but I can tell bigger mirrors are needed for that. Smallest toy hauler grosses out around 5000 pounds. Might not be too bad. Don't want F250 just now. Mainly want to keep the F150. Going to look at small you hauler tomorrow.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,157
Likes: 8,003
From: Texas
Agreed on bigger mirrors. Started thinking 6x12 box trailer for toys and hauling, but I can tell bigger mirrors are needed for that. Smallest toy hauler grosses out around 5000 pounds. Might not be too bad. Don't want F250 just now. Mainly want to keep the F150. Going to look at small you hauler tomorrow.
My 18’ flatbed with a couple SXS’s is over 5000 GVW.
But it is your monkeys and your circus.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 502
There are some neat small toy haulers out there. They’re effectively a box trailer with a kitchen in the front and a Murphy bed in the back. Big downside is the toys have to be unloaded if you actually want to sleep in the camper. I’ve also seen a couple that were long, open deck trailers with a pop up at one end. Good thing about the pop up option is you’re not dragging a huge sail. If you’re set on a toy hauler with a half ton, those could be viable options, both with trade offs.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,698
Likes: 12,825
From: Wyoming
There are some neat small toy haulers out there. They’re effectively a box trailer with a kitchen in the front and a Murphy bed in the back. Big downside is the toys have to be unloaded if you actually want to sleep in the camper. I’ve also seen a couple that were long, open deck trailers with a pop up at one end. Good thing about the pop up option is you’re not dragging a huge sail. If you’re set on a toy hauler with a half ton, those could be viable options, both with trade offs.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 502
My bumper pull toy hauler is 25', coupler to rear bumper. Bathroom in the front, then one big room that has the kitchen, fold down dinette, fold down couch and a HappiJac bunk bed. The need to remove the ATV from the trailer to sit down or sleep is getting old. It's definitely a sail going down the road.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,698
Likes: 12,825
From: Wyoming
11K GVWR. Completely empty it's about 8300 lbs according to the manufacturer's paperwork. However, when I bought the trailer I had it weighed for registration and it came in at 8040. And that was with some water in the fresh water tank, maybe 20 gallons.
I don't travel with much more than about 30 gallons of water in the fresh water tank. My ATV weighs about 1500 lbs.
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