Community Forums

Nat · 05-30-2005, 06:10 PM

I know I have seen someone say there is a formula for figuring the max length RV you should pull with a certain length TV, but for the life of me, I can't find it.
My son and his neighbor are both looking at new travel trailers. My son has no problem as he has a 3500 4x4 diesel. His neighbor has a Toyota four runner and the dealer is trying to sell him a 29', he says the weight is within specs for the 4 Runner. I say if the choice is to heavy or to long, I'd go with to heavy, may be slow and may wear it out sooner, but to long for the short wheelbase 4 runner may kill me, or one of you. Can anyone tell me a good way to find the max length RV for a short TV?
Later, Nat

Nat · 05-30-2005, 06:10 PM

I know I have seen someone say there is a formula for figuring the max length RV you should pull with a certain length TV, but for the life of me, I can't find it.
My son and his neighbor are both looking at new travel trailers. My son has no problem as he has a 3500 4x4 diesel. His neighbor has a Toyota four runner and the dealer is trying to sell him a 29', he says the weight is within specs for the 4 Runner. I say if the choice is to heavy or to long, I'd go with to heavy, may be slow and may wear it out sooner, but to long for the short wheelbase 4 runner may kill me, or one of you. Can anyone tell me a good way to find the max length RV for a short TV?
Later, Nat

charliez · 05-31-2005, 08:20 AM

I've never heard of a too long or max length rating. I would NEVER tow beyond a weight limit, ever. Your little 4 runner may be able to get 'er going, but it may not be able to stop it or control it in an emergency situation, and I'm not even going to mention what may happen of you knowingly tow out of your limits and hurt or kill someone.

Something may give out during travel and you'd really have a mess on your hands. Those weight limits are there for a reason. You realy need to respect them.

I think length may be relative to weight limits, because if it's too long, it's probably too heavy too.

We are not anywhere near our weight limits, but we wanted to stay with a shorter rig so we can get into those tight favorite spots.

Roam America · 05-31-2005, 09:58 AM

I too remember someone talking about how to determine if the trailer is too long for the tow vehicle. If I remember correctly, it has to do with the wheelbase of the TV.

Hang in there. I'm sure you will here back.

Nat · 05-31-2005, 06:04 PM

Charlie, The "little 4 runner" isn't mine. My sig shows a 3500 with a 5rv. The reason I asked is because a short wheel base will be thrown around more by a truck passing than a longer wheelbase will. The young man that I'm talking about is looking at a 29 footer and from what I've seen in the past that is way to long for that short a wheelbase. A low flat trailer that grossly overloads a TV won't be as apt to lose control as a lighter longer higher RV will. A truck passing causes a lot of movement to a long rv, and more so if the TV is short.
I seem to remember the formula was the TV wheelbase x ? equals max rv length. Somebody will remember, Later, Nat

CD · 05-31-2005, 06:17 PM

Nat
Personally I wouldn't want to tow any 29' TT with less than a 3/4ton.
If you haven't read my post about the 5th wheel involved in a fatal accident in this section, you might want to read it. That may be (probably) a case of too much RV for the TV.

05-31-2005, 08:20 PM

....in order for an accident to happen you have to have 4-6 contributing factors....not just one thing will cause an accident.....something has to start a chain of events to cause an accident....ask any accident investigator.....geofkaye

brad03ca · 06-01-2005, 04:16 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by K-Star:
I too remember someone talking about how to determine if the trailer is too long for the tow vehicle. If I remember correctly, it has to do with the wheelbase of the TV.

Hang in there. I'm sure you will here back. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> Hello K-Star.. I beleive the formula is the first 110" of wheelbase, allows for 20' of trailer. For each additional4" of wheelbase gets you 1' more of trailer.

brad03ca · 06-01-2005, 04:20 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Nat:
Charlie, The "little 4 runner" isn't mine. My sig shows a 3500 with a 5rv. The reason I asked is because a short wheel base will be thrown around more by a truck passing than a longer wheelbase will. The young man that I'm talking about is looking at a 29 footer and from what I've seen in the past that is way to long for that short a wheelbase. A low flat trailer that grossly overloads a TV won't be as apt to lose control as a lighter longer higher RV will. A truck passing causes a lot of movement to a long rv, and more so if the TV is short.
I seem to remember the formula was the TV wheelbase x ? equals max rv length. Somebody will remember, Later, Nat </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nat, a trailer of 29' should have a wheel base of 146"

Nat · 06-01-2005, 05:42 PM

Thanks, Brad. That is the formula I remember seeing. Sure seems like 29 ft is way to long to tow with a 4 runner. I'll tell the guy , maybe it will save him some grief, Later, Nat

charliez · 06-02-2005, 03:40 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">in order for an accident to happen you have to have 4-6 contributing factors </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Say what? I've lived a fairly average life, and many times during that, just one little thing has caused many accidents. Are you saying someone would have to pull out in front of you at least 4 times, maybe 6, before you plow throuh thier car?