length measurement

[AshnJim]

I tried to search the forum for this, and kept getting cable ads instead (!), so I'll just ask. Does the length of the trailer include the hitch, or is it just the box?

[donanddona]

Depends if you want into the campground of your choice. Seriously! The model will dictate the inner size of your RV, and the campground will want to know how much space you will need. The normal turn point is in the 35 foot area. My flagstaff is a 8528BHSS The 28 is the length. The CG call it a 30 footer. Maybe it's the tong/king post.

[bikendan]

The length measurement in the specs, is tongue to bumper.

[Kaadk]

My 29QBSS is about 34' from tongue to bumper. When booking sites, I'll look for available sites for trailers "up to 35'". If I don't find any then I next try for sites for trailers "up to 30'". I've had only 2 sites I can think of where I had any kind of issue. And in both cases I fit the trailer in fine, but I didn't have the swing room for the front end of my truck so it became tight. Nothing like getting that perfect angle and then realizing there's a power pole across the road preventing you from straightening out.




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[HappyCamper77]

Like bikendan said, the length in the specs is bumper to hitch. The length in you model number is inside living space. Eg. I have a 2905ss. It's total length is 34 1/2' inside living front to back is 29'.


Ontario, Canada

2014 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7
2015 Rockwood Ultralite 2905ss

[KD 1]

I agree that it has always been bumper to hitch but my Work & Play is an 18EC. The box is over 19 ft. then I have an 18 in rack on front and then over 3 feet to the hitch. This makes me have a 24 footer by what I have always learned.

[marc7]

Interesting conversation...We have the 8325SS (tongue to bumper is 34.9) and my inside living area is 32.5....

Cheers!

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by donanddona

Depends if you want into the campground of your choice. Seriously! The model will dictate the inner size of your RV, and the campground will want to know how much space you will need. The normal turn point is in the 35 foot area. My flagstaff is a 8528BHSS The 28 is the length. The CG call it a 30 footer. Maybe it's the tong/king post.

And btw the 85 normally means 8' 5" wide

[AshnJim]

I did not know that the 85 prefix meant 8.5' wide! I learn something new every time I come to these forums! :-)

We were asking about the length not only for campgrounds, but for the space we're preparing on our driveway. The tongues are usually about 3' long, so knowing that's part of the 23' 9" measurement the FR website gives for the 2304 KS is helpful.

[Semperfi24]

This is an interesting question and I too was seeking the answer. Oddly enough it seems that the answer you get is based on who you ask. We even asked non specifically is it bumper to tongue, or is it the box. We were given both answers. Some dealers said if the list length is 25' (for example) then the box is 25'. Others said 25' means tongue to bumper. I would say about 70% said that the length was strictly measuring the box. We decided to measure our trailer (mini lite 2504s). Documentation says it is a 25' 10" trailer. Our dealer told us that you add bumper and tongue to that measurement and the trailer is really about 29'. Our measurement gave us (about) 26' from tongue to bumper. And the box was about 22'8". It is shocking, and to be quite honest, a bit terrifying that the people who sell these things to you don't know the answer to this pretty simple question. I am supposed to believe that these people can teach me everything I need to know about my trailer, when they don't know which of the two measurements is the actual length??? I can understand if 1 or 2 people get mixed up and mistakenly give you misinformation, but the vast majority were wrong. For most people the difference of 3'-4' is no big deal, but some people may have a size restriction where they intend to park it (short driveway, storage unit, etc). As I said, it is an interesting topic. I have a tendency to believe the fine folks on this forum before I believe the guy who would tell me it has a flux capacitor if he thinks that is what will seal the deal. Lol

[AshnJim]

Semperfi24, you're right - it is scary! Wow.

[geotex1]

Originally Posted by Semperfi24

It is shocking, and to be quite honest, a bit terrifying that the people who sell these things to you don't know the answer to this pretty simple question. I am supposed to believe that these people can teach me everything I need to know about my trailer, when they don't know which of the two measurements is the actual length???

What is shocking that it is now very common to have camper salespeople who have never camped a single night in their lives let alone used the product they sell!

[comfun1]

I had a Grey Wolf 21rr that measured 27' for a difference of 6'. I now have a 27rr that measures 34'-6" for a difference of 7'-6". I don't think there is a rhyme or reason to their numbers and letters.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by comfun1

I had a Grey Wolf 21rr that measured 27' for a difference of 6'. I now have a 27rr that measures 34'-6" for a difference of 7'-6". I don't think there is a rhyme or reason to their numbers and letters.

Sometimes there is a rhyme or a reason... but that just confuses all the other cases. I agree with you. Some manufacturers code their units' square footage measurements into their model numbers.

On this forum we are constantly reminded/cautioned NOT to use published weights... dry, empty, shipped, dry plus max cargo weight, etc. We are advised to go weigh the unit. It seems to me that would be a good plan for lengths, also. Don't trust a salesman or a brochure or the model number. Measure it if you have a true need to know.

[BigTJohn]

The numbers on a rig are just that - numbers. It may be a vague reference to square ft inside, number of baths, how many drain points, what the steel is made from percentage to iron and carbon. You know, useful stuff. Just get a tape measure and measure the thing yourself. Know the exact width, length, height, how far your slides extend, etc. Write it down. Better than that, write it down and know where it is written.

[Klbrown53]

Good advice BigTJohn.


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[Filthy Beast]

Originally Posted by BigTJohn

The numbers on a rig are just that - numbers. It may be a vague reference to square ft inside, number of baths, how many drain points, what the steel is made from percentage to iron and carbon. You know, useful stuff. Just get a tape measure and measure the thing yourself. Know the exact width, length, height, how far your slides extend, etc. Write it down. Better than that, write it down and know where it is written.

That's what I thought. When we bought our 2nd fifth wheel we took a tape measure with us because of some of the campsites we like and the length was important.

[Batts-toy]

Another point I learned with my first TT (19 foot Flagstaff inside length) is the insurance specs it with the rear bumper and hitch so I had to insure it as 23' footer (State Farm).

[TURBS]

My palomino 5th wheel is accurate. 32bhok-6
32. Feet in interior length.
Bh = bunkhouse
Ok = outside kitchen
-6 = upgraded 6000# axles

My old flagstaff tt 832bhss.
8= 8 ft wide
32 = 32 feet in interior length
Bh = bunkhouse
SS = super slide



TURBS

[dcheatwood]

The model # may or may Not have anything to do with length. My 8282 is only 32' long. You really have to measure to know. If talking to a salesman on the phone, ask how deep your garage has to be to fit the tt with doors closed. That's the only way I got an accurate answer. And I don't have a TT garage. They'll often give the box length to make it sound less intimidating.