Trailer length for dispersed camping

[svbstuart]

I am researching no-slide, double-axle trailers suitable for occasionally/frequently backcountry camping on public lands. There are two models that meet my camping requirements. One is 25 feet in length; the other is 30 feet. My forum question is, how often will the 30-foot trailer length restrict my backcountry destination options? To head off comments about capability, ground clearance and suspension are essentially equal between the two models, and my tow vehicle is a 4wd HD truck. Thus, all other things being equal to what extent will that extra five feet limit my dispersed camping choices?

I realize there are A LOT of dispersed camping options on public lands. Whatever the range of opinions, which I certainly want to hear, I presuppose the primary lesson is to know where not to tow a 30-foot trailer and choose destinations accordingly.

 

[Lou Schneider]

The primary limitation will be the trailer's departure angle - the clearance angle from the hitch to the axles and from the axles to rear of the trailer. Since most trailers have their axles approximately at the center a trailer which is 5 ft longer will have approx. 2.5 ft more overhang in both directions which can impact things like going through dips and washes, etc.

As far as finding actual places to boondock, in places like Quartzsite where there's flat, open ground the extra length won't be much of a factor - people bring 40 ft. motorhomes into the LTVAs and 14 day camping areas all the time. Logging roads in the Pacific Northwest are likewise made to accommodate logging trucks. If you're really going off the beaten path a shorter trailer will be easier to maneuver.

Another factor to consider is whether the trailer is a conventional tow or a 5th wheel. Conventional trailers offtrack less than a 5th wheel because the hitch point being behind the truck's rear axle makes the hitch move towards the outside of the turn, cancelling out part of the trailer's offtrack. Logging trucks use this to steer the rear of their trailer around turns by extending the rear of the truck's frame to about half the distance to the trailing axles so they pretty much follow in the tracks of the truck. A 5th wheel creates a shorter overall package but the hitch being directly over the truck's rear axle so you don't get that kind of an offset in a turn, Given the same hitch to rear axle distance a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer will offtrack more.

 

[WILDEBILL308]

Lou, that is a good explanation I can't think of anything to add. Well ok The OP may want to get bigger wheels and tiers and raise the suspension which would help going through dips/washes where you need more clearances.
Bill

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

It's not 25 ft vs 30 either. Every foot of added length restricts you a little more, so you are trading accessibility for comfort. Where we used to wilderness camp in New York's Adirondack Mtns, even 18 ft was often pushing your luck. Narrow, twisty roads were often a challenge even if the ruts weren't too deep. And prepared sites were scarce. Further south in the East, no frills campsites were more common and you could probably get a 20-25 footer into an area near a reservoir or river and find a spot cleared enough to park in. A 30 foot sized area, however, is more in the realm of an actual no-hookups campground than back-country camping.

My experience in the Western US is that there are more open spaces with reasonable access. We've pulled a 30 ft 5W into a wide variety of places that were not designated camping areas at all. Just an open area where you could do your own thing.

 

[JudyJB]

You also need to consider the height of your trailer. Some boondocking spots, especially in wooded areas are going to be too tight for even a 25' trailer.

 

[svbstuart]

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. I posted this question here and on FR Owners Forum, since two of my three no-slide finalists are FR models. Rear overhang length and ground clearance matter more than total trailer length are recurring comments, which is obvious to those with experience. I honestly was not considering rear overhang when I wrote my post, or more specifically the departure angle, so I appreciate folks pointing that out. Know before you go was also good advice. I live in the mid-Atlantic region. Trailer length – and height – might be more of a consideration in the east because it does not have the west’s wide-open terrain. I look forward to testing out that possibility starting next year sometime.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I live in the mid-Atlantic region. Trailer length – and height – might be more of a consideration in the east because it does not have the west’s wide-open terrain. I look forward to testing out that possibility starting next year sometime.

"Dispersed camping" is a pretty broad category. The sites scattered along the Blue Ridge Pkwy are pleasantly "dispersed" even though paved and maintained and are easily accessible by a 25-30 footer. So are the Georgia and South Carolina "unimproved" state park campsites along the reservoirs & rivers. Florida's national forests offer both unimproved sites and truly "dispersed" areas with nothing but dirt (sand) roads and pine trees. A 4WD tow vehicle is wise, though. But if you want to sneak along an unpaved road in West Virginia, you need to be a lot more circumspect about length, clearance & height. So yeah, know before you go!. Or unhitch the trailer and drive down the access road to scout the area before trying it with the trailer.

I've actually camped in the boonies of western Canada and Alaska with a 36 ft motorhome, but I had a companion to assist with the scouting and guide me through tight spots. And of course assist if one of us got in trouble.

 

[Isaac-1]

I tend to agree with the others here, often things like ground clearance / departure angle, etc. will matter more than length when it comes to any type of dispersed camping, of course having said that as a general rule the longer the length the more prone it is to dragging ground at some point.

 

[dave541]

If you try to back it in a grove of trees the extra length may be a limit. Open spaces like a desert this is not much of a problem.

 

[Firstime RVer]

I've got to say that the length of our 20 foot TT, along with its double axles has allowed us to easily fit into some pretty tight spaces, here along the east coast. The added benefit of the double axles along with 4WD really helped us escape being stuck in the mud after a couple of days of rain. Sadly some of those there with much larger heavier 5th wheels, even with double axles weren't so lucky.

I would suggest you consider how you plan to use the RV, along with a floorplan that suits you. Once you've done that you also need to consider how much weight you think you will need to load onto the TT/5thW and take it from there. You would be amazed at how fast you will use up the RV's cargo carrying capacity.

Safe travels and all the best of the holidays to all !!!