I have a 99 F-350 crew cab dually 4x4 long bed diesel truck. I am looking at buying a North Trail 32qbss travel trailer. The length of the trailer is just under 36 feet total I believe. People have been telling me to go to a fifth wheel instead because of the hassle turning and parking the long rig.
I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this and if you have had problems with a rig this long.
Thanks
Darren

 

Hey Darren,
I'm driving a 2006 250 crew-cab long bed and towing a 29' travel trailer (overall length is about 32'). I've looked at upgrading to something similar in size to what you're looking at. Don't think there's any problem with the length, it just depends on how much you've towed before and where you plan on taking it. A 5th wheel would definitely be more maneuverable and possibly handle better, but some guys don't like to give up the bed space. Me personally, I'd go for the 5th wheel on my next trailer, but I use my truck for work and it's got a cap on it, so I'm stuck with a tow-behind.

 

That is my problem, I have a shell on it and don't want to take it off to go camping. The dogs ride back there.

 

Darren'
Like I said before, depends on what you're used to. If you've never towed anything big before then it's alot to jump right in on. Not to say you can't do it. If you decide to go for it, then take your new rig out for some practice runs before your 1st trip. Find someplace nearby with a big parking lot and little traffic, take some cones, trash cans, whatever and practice turning, backing, etc. Just need to remember when you get out on the road that you need extra turning radius - and try not to get yourself in a situation where you have a hard time turning around (like small parking lots, McDonalds drive-thru, etc). I have a feeling you'll do fine.

 

Same for me...Need the bed for all the rest of my camping crap. I'm towing a 29'er as well and like anything there's plus' and minus'. More of a pain to park in some campgrounds but I think they do pull better on the highway, especially in a stiff cross wind. That's only my opinion, not trying to start a 5-vr vs tag-a-long feud.

 

I tow a 31' tt that is 36' tongue to bumper with my F350 and Suburban. I use the Equil-i-zer brand hitch and really like the way it works. The bumper pull trailer will actually off track less than a fifth wheel trailer. This is due to the bumper being the pivot point to lead the trailer around the corner instead of dragging with the pivot point over the axle.

With the right hitch you won't have any problem pulling that size trailer with you pickup. Here is a link to the one I have.
Equal-i-zer Hitch - The “American Original” with 4-Point Sway Control and Weight Distribution

 

i would want the 5th wheel or gooseneck. i like the control much better. i have towed big loads on the bumper, and on the gooseneck. the bed hitch will always tow better. as far a slength goes, i have towed a 53 foot car-hauler wedge bed trailer behind mine.

 

I am pro 5th wheel myself. However, If I had a nice cap on the back of my truck, I'd go for bumper pull as well. I don't think the length is anything to really worry about. Just don't forget that it is back there. A good hitch and a good brake controller and a little experience is all that you'll need.

 

Darren: If you make wide turns and watch the trailer in your mirrors, you should have no problems. All so the longer the trailer the easier it is to back up. Good luck.

 

the length is not a problem for me. i own a crew cab 8' bed truck and i tow 32' trailer(almost 37' from tounge to rear bike rack). just about 60' from front to back.i also need my cap.

 

I like the 5th wheel. If for some reason the trailer starts to move around on it's own, ice etc. the 5ver will not cause your truck to loose traction. Also a 5ver is a little more forgiving about weight distribution. Yes you do lose some of that storage in the bed, but most trailers have alot of storage compartments.

 

I think the bigges issue you will have is getting the trailer on a tight campsite with a long wheel base truck. Just make sure that you have good people watching and you can do it. I've towed and placed many trailers that were 42' long with varied length trucks. But I'm really comfortable going backwards with a trailer.

One time I backed a 6 place snowmobile trailer (30' long deck) down a road (1/4-1/2 mile) to pick up the last guy. Oh I was in a crew cab long box dually. Backed it right into his drive first shot.

Just take your time at the campground and you won't have any problems.

Toyman

 

It's true, longer trailers are less twitchy backing up. It just takes a little more effort in some campgrounds. I see a lot of weekend warriors who don't have a clue when backing their new 5th wheel trailers into a campsite. For them they make pull-thru sites.

 

My tow behind is small, 87 Sunline Saturn 16 ft, but my old truck was bigger than the trailer. (91 F250 Scab long box 4X4)
The truck was 155" WB AND 4X4, so it has the turning radius of a Super Tanker.

One of the first trips I took with it, I got the last available spot in the campground, at the end of a curved road with a cul-de-sac at the end.

I walked down to scope it out and realized that the only way was to back it in, the cul-de-sac was not big enough to turn the truck around without the trailer!

So, about 150 yards, around a curve, in the dark, and the first trip with the "Big" truck (I had a Ranger before), backwards we go....

With the wife leading the way with a walkie talkie and a flashlight, right into the spot on the first shot.

We got a standing ovation from all the other campers!

The Behemoth is in my sig picture...

I can't wait for next summer to try the new truck, it just a little shorter.....

 

While your long box crew cab will have a longer wheelbase than my 137" Excursion...I tow a 31' (35' hitch to bumper) TT. I generally frequent Indiana state parks...which are primarily older parks with basically one lane trails that they pass off as roads . These parks have numerous trees right up against the 'roads' and site markers (6"x6" posts) also right up against the roads...couple that with parked cars at other sites...well you get the picture...there isn't much room to back...but you know what...I have NEVER found a site that I couldn't get into...while I am comfortable backing a trailer...taking your time is key.

Having a longer wheel based vehicle will make things harder...sure...but taking your time and planning ahead goes a long way.

On the 5'r versus TT...here's my thoughts about 'stability'...

Many of those (myself included) started RV'ing somewhat clueless on WD hitches and the importance of PROPER setup for a TT to track properly under ALL conditions...and not just towing the TT home EMPTY from the dealer on local roads with no wind or semi's around!

Many RV dealers sadly are just as clueless as newbie RV'rs...when it comes to PROPER WD setups...which is SCARY since they are supposed to be the EXPERTS!

Most RV dealerships sell entry level hitches at top dollar pricing and only install a simle friction bar for sway control...

Almost no one on here actually goes to a scale to verify PROPER WD balance after loading up their TT and TV.

Bottom line is stability of a TT CAN be incredible under ALL conditions but it does take time to get things that way thru time at the scales and moving things around to ensure proper tongue weights, etc.

Balancing a TT to pull properly does take time to achieve...and most may not invest that time.

A 5'r by its nature of WHERE the pin weight sits in relation to the TV's rear axle is a more 'forgiving' combo. It does not take a lot of preparation and many can have a stable combo right out the door...

Does that make the 5'r more stable?...IMO no...

My last comment/question would be that anyone that towed a TT and had sway...what TV did you have?...many may have had smaller TV's or SUV's and tried to tow larger TT's...it wasn't until they HAD to have a large pickemup to tow a 5'r that they bought a proper TV...

FWIW...I have tugged two TT's 18,000 miles in three summers all over the US. I have had all kinds of weather, wind, terrain, traffic, you name it...I have never once felt any instability in my PROPERLY set up TT. Grant you that I have a large, heavy and longer wheelbased SUV and I now have a Hensley Arrow as part of that PROPER setup...but as I said...my TT goes 35' from the front of the Hensley to the rear of the bumper...throw my bike rack back there and I'm close to 39' tip to tail...

I fought a 30+ mph cross/head wind (depending on wander in the roadway) for 1800 miles this past summer going from Indiana to Williams Arizona...it blew like a dickens all the way there...and I mean BLEW...I was pounded by stiff cross winds with semi trucks passing and unloading the wind momentarily and then reloading the wind as they passed...so lots of instanteanous inputs of stiff winds...I never once had any hint of instability. I credit that to a properly balanced TT (i.e. proper tongue load PLUS my Hensley Arrow Hitch)
...because my experience (along with many other TT towers) with a tag behind clearly shows that a TT can be towed safely and all over the country.

Some like myself want the extra seating capacity of a large SUV...others like the OP has a cap on his truck...and thus a TT is the way to went

In the end...it is my opinion and experience that a properly set up TT can be a very stable towing experience...plus if you have never riden in a TV towing a 5'r with OUT an air ride hitch on a bumpy road or on an interstate with lots of expansion joints...that 5'r bumping and banging at the hitch can make for a very rough ride inside the TV...that is why many go with an air ride hitch...which BTW costs substantially more than an entry level 5'r hitch...to compare a Hensley Arrow (TT hitch) to the Hensley TrailSaver (5'r hitch)...both were in the $3,000 range...so there's your apples to apples...Do you need a $3,000 5'r hitch for stability?...no...it is for pure towing COMFORT...

Good luck with your decision...if you do buy a TT...understand that you WILL have to balance your load to ensure proper stability when towing...it just isn't as forgiving as a 5'r setup.

Also in my experiences the length of my TT has not been an issue...but one last piece of info...some of the National Parks do have a limit on trailer lengths...so check that out before you book...My solution this year was to simply stay just outside the parks and not deal with the smaller campgrounds that are generally inside the parks...plus we've been staying at Good Sam's parks here recently which allow for more overall room and if you are so inclined...you can actually find a pull-thru if that is what you prefer!

Good Luck and sorry for the lengthy response,

Joe.