Hi, I've been looking at used TTs in the 26' range, but I've found a really good deal with a 1991 Fleetwood Terry Resort 29N.

I'm concerned about the length. I've heard a lot about how it "tows the same as a shorter one" but I'm thinking more about how it will do on small back roads, in small towns, in parking lots/gas stations, turning, etc. I'm planning to take an RV driving course, just to make sure I've got all the skills, but the length still concerns me.

Please tell me what you think. I'll be living in this full-time (no homebase, except on paper).

Thank you!

 

I have owned both a 23 and a 29 footer. I have towed both with my 94 F250 460.

I prefer towing the 29 footer. It is much smoother, less prone to sway, not as bouncy and just all around a much nicer tow than the old 23 footer. Could be differences in the hitch and old technology versus new(How new can twin axles be??).

I have towed my 29 footer thru snow, dirt and backroads. the only problems I have are overhanging branches and the occasional very tight turn. I have never gotten into a turn so tight that I could not weasle my way around, but the longer trailer does have that potential weakness over the short. The long trailer also weighs a lot more but with a 460 it is not really noticable.

I have read that longer trucks and longer trailers are more stable and less prone to sway which in my mind makes for a much more relaxing drive.

In summary, In towing for over 5 years I much much much prefer towing the long trailer. besides short trailers get awful small if you have family along.

Just my opinions,

Jim Henderson

 

Hi Jim, Thanks for the input!

It's just going to be me, so space will definitely not be an issue... I'm going to be living in the TT, and working out of it, so the extra space and storage will be nice... (too much space??)

My biggest concern was for the tight turns... how often do you tow?... how often have you gone to those hard to reach places? I'm wondering just how often I might encounter tight turns.

Have you gone anywhere where they didn't want your 29'? I've heard some parks have limits on length.

Thanks for the information on sway and bounce... good to know.

 

I tow a 26' trailer all over the northeast in the summer. Personally, I feel that the longer trailers tow much nicer. You are less prone to trailer sway and back and forth jerking that a shorter trailer will give you. As far as towing on back roads, sometimes it can get a bit tight, but you just have to get a feel for the length of your set up and once you get used to it, it all comes together. I have done a lot of state camping and have wedged my camper in some pretty small sites. A lot of times it is easier to back in a longer unit then a shorter one, reason being the short trailers react quicker to any input you give it when backing in.
I think you are doing a good thing taking the course, it wil lgive you a lot of good information. But the bottom line is that you have to get the feel for your rig, and like i said, it will all come together once you get that.

 

N_fini_T:
When it comes to full timing in an RV or trailer, "too much is never enough" when your talking about space and storage.

Most length limits apply to straight RVs, not traielrs and trucks. Since your setup will bend in the middle, you can go places a 35' motorhome can't go. When I hookup the truck and my boat or travel trailer, I'm close to 55' long. My setup is much easier to get around tight turns than a large motorhome.

I've driven trailers from small open utility trailers, to 53' tractor trailers, and the longer the better for stability, ride and handling. The shorter the wheelbase, the harder it is to manuver when backing. The short trailer will quickly jacknife with little input from the wheel. On the longer trailer, you'll see the trailer begin to turn and have time to correct the turn before it jacknifes. When backing into one of your spaces, remember to keep your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and turn the wayu you want the trailer to turn

 

ok, we're talking apple to oranges here, but I've towed very small log splitters that were a lot more of a pain in the @@@ than any large boat I ever had to pull. I even lost one in the ditch and had a rough time with a flat tire when a boat would have been almost routine.
You are talking about a 3 foot difference between the trailers you are looking at. In my experience, slightly longer means easier to back up, better ride when towing, and not much harder to turn corners with.

 

The tightest turn I have made and which was near the limit was my father in laws driveway.

I have a 94 F250 super cab long bed. I would guess maybe 14-15 feet long. The trailer is a 29 foot Prowler(maybe 8-9 feet wide?) with standard equalizing hitch setup. I would guess the total length while hitched up is a bit under 50 feet(hitch is what 4-6 feet?).

The driveway is a farm dirt drive into an asphalt road with two telephone poles on each side of the driveway set back maybe 10 feet, I would guess 12 feet apart at most. The driveway tees onto the asphalt with I would guess 5 feet or so of shoulder on each side and the road itself being maybe as wide as my truck is long so guess 15 feet. Plus a ditch on each side of the drive right at road's edge.

With a good setup(eye enter the turn wide and get as far out as I can before I turn) I am just able to make the turn. I have more problems with the tail end of the trailer not whacking the telephone poles, never hit it but it is tight. If the poles weren't there, the turn would be a cinch, except for maybe the drainage ditch on each side.

Anyway. A wild guess is that with my rig I can turn safely and relatively easily in a T intersection as narrow as 25 feet, ie less than the length of my trailer. My wife is amazed at how tight a spot I can weasle into if I am slow and careful and get out to take a look frequently. I have completely turned my truck and trailer arouund in our parking lot which is maybe 30 feet wide by 50 long.

One key an old guy told me is to get the trailer wheels right up to the point where you want to pivot around, then turn and watch your tail.

I used to tow every weekend for about 4 months when my father in law died and we were cleaning out the house. We travelled between Portland Or and near Mt Ranier Wa. The trip was a piece of cake except for the slightly narrow driveway turn.

I also have made a trip to LA Ca over the grapevine, no problems.

Now I campout maybe 4-5 times a year. I campout in state parks and some of the Sams and KOAs. Never been turned away due to my rig except for once at a snooty place that was changing over from trailer camping to Big RV Buses only.

We also visit a freind with a ranch in eastern Oregon(Jordan Valley) 3-4 times a year. No problems other than the blue mountains. They are off I95 so the swing into their dirt drive is much easier except for semis barrelling down the highway at 60mph when we need to turn.

If I can get a trailer spot in a campground that is about 40 feet long, I am set. The back end of the trailer can overhang quite a bit so I can fit a space smaller than the combined length of my rig.

One other thing to watch on tight turns is to keep an eye on the front of your trailer, you don't want to have it smack the back end of your truck or the side. Been there done that with an 8 foot utility, dang.

The bigger problem you will have over length or tight turns is dips in the road or inclined driveways. When you go up a steep driveway(maybe 5 feet rise in 50?) you may drag your tail and or the bottom of your trailer A frame stand. This causes me more problems than anything else with the size of my trailer.

Get a copy of Trailer Life Magazine. Very good articles and tech sections. Also a lot of stuff for "live ins".

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

well, mines not a bumper pull but it is 34' long. The only wory I have had is how tall it is. I have trimmed a tree, or it trimmed me. Had to replace all the caps on the roof You should be fine with a 29' bumper pull

 

The main thing that comes into play when maunvering is the distance from the tounge to the wheels, not the total length of the trailer.

Chris

 

I agree with the length thing. But don't forget about the weight thing. The 29 footer can be several thousand pounds heavier than the 26 footer. When I bought my 26 over the 29, it was soley because the 26 would fit in my driveway, and the 29 would not, but I am happy because i would not want the extra weight to tow up the mountains.

Something to consider....

 

The secret to towing is to think ahead and not to put yourself into tight situation. Allow plenty of turn space and use the other lane if necessary. With a little practice and some road time, you'll be able to park it with ease in places that would scare you to death now. Try backing and =maneuvering in a large mall parking lot when it's closed. Use the lines as obstacles and you'll develop the skill set necessary for safe driving.

Most of all...enjoy !!!!!

Steve