Robrasta

Hoping to pull trigger on new TT tomorrow. Open Range ut2710rl. 31 ft with a dry weight of 5600 lbs. TV is a 2016 F150 3.5 EB Lariat w/max tow. With a payload sticker of 1652 lbs, Im not too worried about pulling it when loaded up and I'll buy a good WDH to help all-around.

I am a little concerned about the length. I've seen the cautionary tales regarding handling a trailer of this length (sway/winds). When folks on here reference the length of the trailer, is it referencing the box size or the specs including tongue/frame to tip? The box size on this TT is 27 or 28 ft which doesnt sound as bad as the 31 ft on the spec sheet.

Thoughts?

CowboyWill

Good question, I recently bought a TT (admittedly not doing TT & TV research first) that was 35'2" from bumper to tongue. Since then I have learned a rule of thumb is your wheelbase divided by 5. My wheelbase is 145, that divided by 5 is 29. By that rule, i shouldn't pull anything more than a 29' TT.

I've pulled mine with a Andersen no sway WD hitch about 400 miles so far and it did pretty good. Ive also done some mods to my TV, If you wanna see my results you can find my "real world towing experience" thread.

Atlee

Can't speak for other folks, but if I mention a TT length, I'm talking about the total exterior, from bumper to ball. I do this because that's how much length is added to my already fairly long truck, and the number I have to use when clearing traffic.

My wife on the other hand is only interested in the box length. She says that's what she has to live in.

Atlee

I've always heard there is a corelation between truck wheel base, and length of trailer that should be towed.

I didn't know it was wheel base divided by 5. Going by that rule, I can pull a 32 foot trailer. I can get bigger by 8 feet.

Mike Up

Makers and campgrounds reference trailer length or the actual length of the trailer which is bumper to hitch. Numbers on the trailer are not the box length. They may sometimes be the same but most times are not. None of the makers spec box sized unless it's on a pop up.

Always go by the total length, not box length. Total length is the industrial standard for referencing trailer length. When you reserve a campsite, you're going to put the whole trailer in the site, not just the box.

For that trailer, depending on your trucks cargo, that 1652 lbs seems pretty low. When sway is spoken of, referencing length, it's the total length, not box length. 31' long trailer seems about the limit of our trucks. Longer than that a heavier truck like a F250 should be used. It's the wind push on the side of the trailer that makes it harder to tow. More length means more force pushing on it's sides. Make sure you use a very good anti sway control device like the Equalizer brand Sway control hitch, Reese Strait-Line (that I have), or similar styles.

Here's my travel trailer and previous '12 F150. It's 29'1" long with a model number of 26BH. If I went by 26', my camper would had never fit into the many campsites we reserved where my tongue was very near the road.

humblerb

I've got a 2012 with about the same payload as you have and EB.
My TT is approx. 34', hitch to bumper.
With one sway bar attached, we could get pushed around a little in windy conditions or when being passed by 18-wheelers.
After the last tow we had with a stiff crosswind, I decided to add a second sway bar.
I don't have near as much issue with crosswinds now. And a second benefit is, I hardly feel anything when being passed by the 18-wheeler.
Much more comfortable tow.
Just to eliminate any confusion, I always mention hitch to bumper when discussing the length.


EDIT: I have had two trailers, both the same length, approximately.
Weight has more to do with towing comfort than length, in my opinion.
My first approached 9,000# loaded (~7500# dry).
My second is 7,300# loaded (~6,000# dry).
I traded in my first after 1 year and took about a $10k loss because I felt so uneasy with that much weight.
I think if you are around the 7,000# weight loaded, your experience will mirror mine.

Robrasta

Thank you and thanks for replies everyone. I did pull the trigger on this and had dealer include this Equal-i-zer hitch. http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distr...EQ37120ET.html

Can I assume this will provide similar sway control to having two sway bars??

Barristersteve

If you do have problems with sway, you may want to look into a Propride 3P or Hensly Arrow hitch. They are expensive but worth every penny when you are towing heavy and approaching 30 feet in length. I have been towing a 28 ft box/31.5 foot bumper to ball tow trailer for the last three years and would not do it without the Propride hitch. I also added airbags and went with LT tires when it was time for new tires as the cost increase was minimal. I am within axle and payload ratings, but certainly approaching the maximums. I have to watch what I put in box of the truck and do not haul the TT with full tanks to keep my tongue weight down.

smokeywren

Sway bars on a WD hitch indicate a cheap hitch of antiquated design. Your Equal-I-Zer hitch is not a cheap hitch, and has much better built-in sway control than the hitches that rely on one or two sway bars.

Robrasta

Excellent. That was what I was hoping to hear.