Where do you measure from for TT length??

[Kimber45]

depends on how well you can back up.

[lbnt18]

I used to measure from ball to bumper. However, several campgrounds told me they wanted to use the box measurement.

[NJKris]

I chose my 20' camper knowing it would fit most any spot. But if I had a larger one, would hate to tell a park I have a trailer 'x' feet long, knowing that number is less than their max allowance but in actuality was longer, then arrive and find out I can't get my trailer into the spot without the tongue sticking out into the road, and then be told I can't camp there. That would seriously mess up your plans.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by Vladivar

So this question is mostly to do with booking a site where they ask for the length of your rig and impose limitations on what sites may be available based on that measurement.

But further to that, what is the “norm” when stating the length of your rig?

Is actual length from tip of hitch to back of rear bumper
Is it length of body from front cap to rear cap
Is it from tip of hitch to rear wall (ignoring bumper/bike racks etc)
Or is there some strange in-between measurement like propane tanks to rear bumper lol

What are the thoughts?

If you HAD to fit inside a garage.....you’d be wanting to know the ball to bumper!!!!!!!

[Larry0071]

I've bought utility trailers, car haulers and equipment trailers a handful of times over the last 30 years never once was one advertised by coupler to tail end length, always advertised, titled and named by useable deck length.


My camper is the same way, it is a 289, it is a 28' camper. If I wanted to add the front a frame and coupler it would be a 33 or 34 foot unit, and I would think that Forest River would rather call it a 339 rather than a 289... but it appears to me that all makes of campers are named to call out the box size.


When I have called to make reservations (I'm new to this camper thing) and asked if they wanted the advertised size or the total measured length, of the 4 parks we went to all said that they want the advertised size... so 28" it is. So far, no problems.


Like many things, opinions vary. And if I was contracting a storage building I would absolutely make sure that it was quoted as a 36' minimum, if not 40'!

[lbnt18]

I actually had a couple campgrounds tell me I couldn't have a certain spot because I was too long. I had geven them my measurment from hitch to rear bumper. When I inquired further, I then gave them my "box"measurement. 33 vs 27 ft. I fit in the site perfectly. I'm not saying this is always the case, but this is what happened to me. Good luck.

[Ejs4029]

Depends on what campground your trying to get into A particular campground that we liked to frequent was harder getting a site over 28ft my TT is 32ft and I always told them ours was 28ft when trying to make a reservation never had a problem

[007matman]

Originally Posted by Ejs4029

Depends on what campground your trying to get into A particular campground that we liked to frequent was harder getting a site over 28ft my TT is 32ft and I always told them ours was 28ft when trying to make a reservation never had a problem

I had a conversation with a Park manager in Florida about why they have length restrictions because the sites are much larger and can accommodate larger campers (this particular park only had 3 sites tagged that were large enough to fit a 32' camper). However, the actual sites were all the same length.

He said that the city decided that and they don't enforce at all.

I think it would make a difference in some parks.. I've been in some pretty difficult places but we've always managed to make it work. Hauling a 33' camper behind a LWB CC LWB Dually is sometimes a little difficult. However, that same park would have been just as difficult with a 24' camper.

You definitely need to use your head. Google maps helps as do site photos (if your state is one of those that's done this).

[NJKris]

it appears to me that all makes of campers are named to call out the box size.

They must have had a liquid lunch when they named my G19FD. 20 feet tip to tip, and box is 17.5 at longest. Maybe they compromised and called it 19?

[Larry0071]

Originally Posted by NJKris

They must have had a liquid lunch when they named my G19FD. 20 feet tip to tip, and box is 17.5 at longest. Maybe they compromised and called it 19?

The law of averages [emoji1787]

[mdstudey]

In looking at different trailers, you cannot go with the model number. I have seen small one's with bigger numbers and larger ones with smaller numbers. Now I question if it is the box size or tip to tip because I have seen some advertise that way.

[NJKris]

My dealer didn't even know when I asked him at the Hershey RV show. I asked if the stated length was the box, or trailer. He had to ask another salesman.

[KEN9XL]

Originally Posted by NJKris

My dealer didn't even know when I asked him at the Hershey RV show. I asked if the stated length was the box, or trailer. He had to ask another salesman.

I always thought the model number indicated the box length too.
Now I just laugh & ignore that number.
My TT is a Heritage Glen 272RL (27' 2" rear living room)
The box measures 30 feet & overall length ball to bumper is 34 feet 4 inches.

Originally Posted by kenandterry

If you HAD to fit inside a garage.....you’d be wanting to know the ball to bumper!!!!!!!

I guess in phrasing it that way, I must agree on ball to bumper.

Ken

[RStock]

Good thread on TT length. When we purchased our Grey Wolf 20RDSE we were told that it was 20ft inside measurement from the front wall to the back wall. I never questioned if that was true. Now I'm curious and will have to physically measure it.

[grease monkey]

MY 5TH IS MEASURED FROM BACK BUMPER TO THE FRONT OF THE CAP.. IT SAYS 32' 4" however it is 33' FROM WHAT I HAVE READ A PULL TRAILER IS FROM THE BACK BUMPER TO WHERE YOU HOOK UP TRAILER TO CAR OR TRUCK

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by Larry0071

I've bought utility trailers, car haulers and equipment trailers a handful of times over the last 30 years never once was one advertised by coupler to tail end length, always advertised, titled and named by useable deck length.

Flagstaff/Rockwood are all over the place with their A-frame model numbers. A Rockwood A122xx has a 12ft box, and an overall length from 17 to 19ft. But an A213 has a 21ft overall length and a 14ft box. Flagstaff is similar with their T12 and T21 models.

And I have no idea where they get their pop-up model numbers from.

Because I can overhang the wheel stops by a considerable amount, I'm reluctant to state the tip to tip length to a campground where it might be tight against the advertised length. Because of the light weight and narrow width of the minivan, I can also overlap the minivan and A-frame tongue to some degree - if necessary.

OTOH, in my garage, every inch of length counts.

just my experiences
Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan

[bikendan]

NEVER assume that the RV model number has anything to do with its actual length.

[HangDiver]

Whatever it takes...

[Larry0071]

Smallest dog ever! 5" long, full grown dog. I know it's true.... Because I saw it on the internet! [emoji1787][emoji23][emoji1787]

[TitanMike]

Ball to bumper would be the measurement I'd use for any NF or SP campground but a caution. It would pay to find out how long the actual site you are looking at is or if there is room to park a tow vehicle beside.

Private parks will often go by total length from front bumper to rear bumper to see if you'll fit in their drive through sites.

Overall there's no hard rule as it's going to depend on the area, campground, and operator. Best to be prepared with all appropriate measurements(even actual height).