Tow vehcile wheel base

[t.simpson]

The Dear Wife and I are considering a new tow vehicle for our Salem 26 thud. We have tested the Ford F150 with the Ecoboost motor and it seems to fit the bill. However, this will the DW's daily driver and after a few parking tests, she really wants the short wheel based truck. Are there any considerations that we should be aware of regarding a TV with a 145" wheel base pulling a 29.5' trailer?

[Gadget63]

I'm pulling a Flagstaff V-Lite 30WFKSS with a 2011 Ford Expedition Limited with no problems (so far). That's over 30' so I don't see you having a problem with the F150.

[thebrakeman]

Shorter WB will give you better maneuverability. You know that for non-towing duty (parking). But it's also true for towing. Shorter wheelbase means the trailer will react quicker during backing maneuvers.

In general, longer WB provides a more stable ride. Any trailer instability (side-to-side, or up and down) may be felt more readily with a shorter wheelbase. That doesn't mean that a 145" in unstable...just generality. Proper loading (10-15% on the tongue), and a properly setup WDH and sway control will help in this area.

We just took our first weekend trip with our Mercury Mountaineer (fairly short wheelbase) towing 27' Hybrid (~4500 lbs, not weighed yet). With the Equal-i-zer WDH, we had a very stable ride.

[donn]

Get the short wheel base and then get a Hensley Arrow or similar hitch. Stability should then no longer be an issue.
Get the long wheel base and let DW get used to walking an extra 30 feet when she goes to the store. LOL

[MtnGuy]

A 145" wheelbased vehicle is not too shabby. I wouldn't go any less pulling a 29.5' trailer.

[t.simpson]

Thanks guys! I thought I remembered someone talking about wheelbase and max trailer length, but I guess not. I am going to the dealership to close the deal today!

[acadianbob]

You'll have to give us a towing report on the ecoboost. 145" is a good wheelbase IMO. It gives you enough to tow 28 maybe 30 feet. But it is not so long that you can't park it in a parking lot. The 157" is tough to manuever. (sp?)

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by t.simpson

Thanks guys! I thought I remembered someone talking about wheelbase and max trailer length, but I guess not. I am going to the dealership to close the deal today!

The "hypothetical" suggested maximum total trailer length vs. tow vehicle wheelbase per a popular chart is this:

110" 20' ******* 150" 30'
114" 21' ******* 154" 31'
118" 22' ******* 158" 32'
122" 23' ******* 162" 33'
126" 24' ******* 166" 34'
130" 25' ******* 170" 35'
134" 26' ******* 174" 36'
138" 27' ******* 178" 37'
142" 28' ******* 182" 38'
146" 29' ******* 186" 39'

A popular equation used is this: The wheelbase of the tow vehicle in inches divided by 5 equals maximum trailer length in feet.

By the equation a 145" wheelbase vehicle can pull a 29' trailer. By the chart, that tow vehicle can tow a 28'9" trailer.

If your trailer was a couple of feet over, then there might some concern. But what is a couple of inches among members.

There is no "regulation" chart or equation out there. These are "recognized" charts and equations on the net, but no one can say exactly what the limits are for safe towing, and even exactly what is safe towing involves.

There could be a chart somewhere stating that a 30' trailer can be safely towed by a Yugo.......there are no standards. Me thinks that the idea of a long wheelbased vehicle pulling a long trailer is best in the long run for safety, so hence this chart and equation to set some guidelines.

I pull a 28.5' foot trailer with my 145" wheelbased F150, and it does a great job. Would 1 more foot matter....probably not. Would 4 more feet matter.....I don't think I would try that.

Regardless, use an integrated WDH with sway control, and set that puppy up properly.

[campfan]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

The "hypothetical" suggested maximum total trailer length vs. tow vehicle wheelbase per a popular chart is this:

110" 20' ******* 150" 30'
114" 21' ******* 154" 31'
118" 22' ******* 158" 32'
122" 23' ******* 162" 33'
126" 24' ******* 166" 34'
130" 25' ******* 170" 35'
134" 26' ******* 174" 36'
138" 27' ******* 178" 37'
142" 28' ******* 182" 38'
146" 29' ******* 186" 39'

A popular equation used is this: The wheelbase of the tow vehicle in inches divided by 5 equals maximum trailer length in feet.

By the equation a 145" wheelbase vehicle can pull a 29' trailer. By the chart, that tow vehicle can tow a 28'9" trailer.

If your trailer was a couple of feet over, then there might some concern. But what is a couple of inches among members.

There is no "regulation" chart or equation out there. These are "recognized" charts and equations on the net, but no one can say exactly what the limits are for safe towing, and even exactly what is safe towing involves.

There could be a chart somewhere stating that a 30' trailer can be safely towed by a Yugo.......there are no standards. Me thinks that the idea of a long wheelbased vehicle pulling a long trailer is best in the long run for safety, so hence this chart and equation to set some guidelines.

I pull a 28.5' foot trailer with my 145" wheelbased F150, and it does a great job. Would 1 more foot matter....probably not. Would 4 more feet matter.....I don't think I would try that.

Regardless, use an integrated WDH with sway control, and set that puppy up properly.

I would like to know where this chart originated from – have seen it several times but have not been able to find it anywhere. Does it take into consideration for sway control/ weight distribution? I would really like to see some back up documentation on the source.
This means a crew cab 2011 Chevy crew cab dually with long bed has a wheel base of 167.7” and can only pull a 34’ trailer?
No attack on you – just want to know.

[DF5.4]

Some of you would hate my combination then. I have an 07 Expedition (119" WB) and a 30' TT. According to the chart I'm about 7' longer than . recommended. I've towed it thousands of miles with this combination. I have the Reese DC HP setup and the only time I had a problem was when I didn't get enough tension on the bars. I noticed more sway than usual. So far I'm very happy with this combination. We prefer sites that back into the wood. there are some places that were a struggle to get into when I had the Supercab F-150. The shorter WB of the Expedition makes it easier to get into these sites. That being said I wouldn't go any shorter on the WB with the TT I have now.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by campfan

I would like to know where this chart originated from – have seen it several times but have not been able to find it anywhere. Does it take into consideration for sway control/ weight distribution? I would really like to see some back up documentation on the source.
This means a crew cab 2011 Chevy crew cab dually with long bed has a wheel base of 167.7” and can only pull a 34’ trailer?
No attack on you – just want to know.

This chart was posted on a guy's RV website that was shut down several years ago due some copyright allegations with a corporate website.....it is hard to go up against the big guys.

As far as I know there is no documentation. That is why I used "hypothetical", "recognized", and "regulation" in my reply. Gotta start somewhere.

[campfan]

thanks for the info- I have seen others on the forum post this is if it were law, which is the reason i would like to know its origin. would hate to see someone get a trailer that is shorter than what they want - but of course with in weights- because of a possibly outdated chart.
and i do agree gotta start somewhere...can't anything in the owners manual about trailer lenghts

thanks for the 411

[trudinator]

I don't put much stock in all of these charts. Our Dodge 2500 quad cab, 8' foot bed can pull much more than a 32' trailer. One of the service guys at our dealership pulls his 32' camper with a full size van, which is a lot shorter than our truck. Our owners manual states we can pull 10,000 pounds. Doesn't say anything about the length whatsoever.

[Acableguy06]

At one time I was pulling a 50' 4 car carrier behind a 99 gmc 4door long bed dually. and also had a 45' 3 car carrier behind a 99 gmc ext. cab long bed dually. these where gooseneck trailers, not sure if that makes a difference in length to wheelbase. I know a lot of auto transports use these combo's everyday coast to coast. I know DOT raise eyebrows with these set ups as well, the 50' deal loaded scaled just under 16,000lbs had to watch what 4 cars where loaded.