Pulling 36' laredo vs 30'

[bexparza]

My wife drives our truck and Travel Trailer. We are upgrading from a 30' Trailer to a 36' Trailer. My wife is really concerned about driving with added length. I don't feel that 6' will make that much difference. Any feed back to help my wife relax a little would be appreciated. Remember: "If the moma ain't happy ain't no one happy". Thanks in advance.

[chuckster57]

6 feet is just an adjustment in driving. I went the other way, from 36' of fiver to 30', after about 15 minutes I quit wondering. First couple of backing were a learning experience, but since she's been doing it, she may have to make an adjustment the first couple of times.

Trust me, NO-ONE is going to say anything other than "nice rig".

[bsmith0404]

Going down the road they feel the same (as long as your TV is sufficient). The biggest difference when dealing with a longer unit is the swing of the back end. You just have to remember you now have XX more feet behind the trailer axles which will create a wider swing out when turning. I've gone from a 30' to a 35' to a 40'. To be honest, the jump from 30' to 35' wasn't much of a difference. The jump from 35' to 40' was a big change, partially because I also went to an 8' bed truck, but I was really surprised how wide that back bumper comes around. Of course, after I saw what it does, now I know and just plan for it. She'll figure it out real quick.

[Javi]

That swing will get ya' if you ain't ready for it... seen a fellow take out two gas pumps with the back of his brand new trailer this past summer... when I was helping him pick up the pieces of his trailer he told me he was on the way home from picking it up and just forgot how long it was..

It pays to pay attention..

[GaryWT]

Just need a little more room when passing on the highway. Will need to approach a back in site a little different and be sure to pull up far enough to start the swing and just watch the corners. There is one intersection near my house that I will not turn at because I know with the pole placement I would force cars to back up or drive off the road so I just go around another way.

[Hansel]

6ft should be a fairly easy adjustment for your wife, now if you where going from a 21ft trailer too a 40ft then I could understand the concern. Just take it out and let her practice with the longer unit until she feels comfortable. A few years back when my daughter was in winter guard (that's a indoor dance and flag routine) they had a small equipment trailer that normally I would tow, but I was out of town so dear wifey had too use my truck and tow the trailer. We went out and I showed her how too hook up and we took it for a spin and she picked up on it really fast. Practice,practice,practice is the key

[msp2jxr]

I just went from a trailer that is 1 foot longer. What I noticed the most is the difference in turning. How the trailer turns will be determined by the distance from where the trailer axles to the back of the truck. Even though the new trailer isn't really much longer the axles are back farther and it does seem to cut the corners more so than my last trailer. Keep an eye on the mirrors when turning corners and have her check the tires and curbs as she turns. She will do fine once she pulls it a couple of times and makes the adjustment.

[Seth]

If she's the one doing the driving, I would probably go with what she's comfortable with. Trust her instincts on this.