A tag-along trailer’s length does not include the tongue. A gooseneck or fifth-neck wheel’s (which is almost normally 8′) is included. Horse and/or livestock trailers are not included. When it comes to trailer length, be sure to ask precise questions because lengths can often be inflated.
What are the dimensions of a utility trailer?
When deciding on the size of a trailer, most people want to know the dimensions. The industry standard is to measure Width first, then Length on the outside rectangular area of the trailer. A 6x12sa trailer, for example, is 6′ broad by 12′ long and has a single axle (sa). If the trailer has a V-nose, the space is considered extra and might range from a few inches to several feet depending on the model or extended tongue option. As a general rule, trailer height is determined by trailer size; however, additional height can be added or eliminated. 5-wides, for example, are 5′ tall, 6 & 7 wides are 6′ tall, and 8.5′ wides (car haulers) are 6′-6″ tall. Again, this is the outside measurement; the inside is a little shorter and has some impediments such as supports or cross member studs, dome lights, and possibly ceiling liners.
Trailer openings /doors sizes
Side doors are commonly available in 24″, 32″, and 36″ widths, depending on trailer size. Step wells are common on car haulers (8.5′ wide) because the trailer frame is made up of 6″ to 8″ I-beams or channel, which raises the trailer off the ground. Optional features include larger doors, front doors, side doors, escape doors, concession windows, and front and side ramps. The top and sides of the back Barn Door(s) or Ramp normally have a 6″ to 7″ frame for the door(s) to close against. For instance, an 8.5′ wide car carrier will have roughly 6″ on each side, bringing the aperture closer to 7′-6″ wide (keep in mind there is a guide wire for the ramp spring assist that is about an inch inside each side of the opening). A “no-show” 4′ Beaver Tail is used by many vehicle haulers, where the inside of the trailer slopes down a couple inches and meets the ramp. This prevents low-profile, low-clearance vehicles from bottoming out when they enter the trailer. This also raises the trailer’s opening height by a couple of inches. 8.5x16ta and larger trailers, for example, are normally 6′-6″ tall. With the 6″ drop from the roof before the opening begins, it should leave about a 6′-0″ opening for accessing the trailer’s back; however, the Beavertail adds a couple of inches. (Note that a Beavertail is not recommended for concession trailers or some equipment trailers since the floor slopes down for about 4′ in the back, making it difficult to level equipment.)
Trailer Load Capability
The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum weight that a trailer can carry when fully loaded. Many factors can influence load distribution, limiting the amount of weight that can be loaded into the trailer; nevertheless, a basic general guideline is that if you have (2) 3500 lb axles, the trailer’s GVWR is 7000 lb. The load capability is determined by subtracting the weight of the trailers themselves. For instance, a 7x16ta with (2) 3500Lb axles weighs roughly 2150 Lbs and has a GVWR of 7000 Lbs, thus you can load it with about 4850 Lbs of freight (7000 Lbs 2150 Lbs = 4850 Lbs). You can always increase the axle size if a heavier weight is required. If your cargo will have a tiny footprint and the load will not be distributed over a large area, you may choose to shorten the distance between the cross member supports under the floor. If you’ll be driving off-road or on bumpy roads, torsion axles may be preferable to leaf springs for a smoother ride and better handling. (See Brakes for further information.)
Tongue load
The trailer’s weight is transferred to your hitch in this amount. The most frequently accepted estimates range from 9 to 15% of the loaded trailer weight, with 10% being the most widely accepted figure. For example, a trailer weighing 1800 pounds with 1000 pounds of cargo is deemed to be 2800 pounds. 280 lbs of tongue weight is 10% of 2800 lbs. Keep in mind that this number is affected by a variety of circumstances, such as whether the trailer is loaded from the front or the back. On the Internet, people utilize a variety of approaches to measure this.
Truck Bed length
If you’re considering a gooseneck trailer, the length of your vehicle bed is crucial. For enough space between the trailer and the cab of your truck, an 8′ bed length is recommended. People sometimes purchase trailers without considering whether or not their truck has a short-bed, spare fuel tank, or extended cab. For particular questions, contact your sales representative.
Is the hitch included in the trailer’s length?
The length of the trailer unit only is included in the measurement information provided by travel trailer manufacturers; the tongue, hitch, and tow vehicle are not included. As a result, multiple measurements are required to determine the overall length of the entire setup: inside, exterior, and overall length.
- The internal length of a trailer determines how much living space it has, and it is one of the most straightforward measures to obtain. It’s merely the distance between the trailer’s front and back walls.
- The overall length refers to the total length of the trailer. You should know how long the trailer is without the hitch and how long it is with the hitch and tow vehicle attached. When looking for a parking spot or a campsite, the second measurement will come in handy.
The marketed length should equal the floor plan length, according to the RV Industry Association (RVIA). The tongue and rear bumper are not included in this measurement. As a result, the length measurement you see when you buy your travel trailer may not truly reflect how much space you have, especially when it comes to parking.
State-run campgrounds, on the other hand, measure the length of the unit because the tow vehicle is normally parked separately.
Finally, take as many measurements as possible to get a clear picture of how much space you’ll need for both the trailer unit and the rest of your setup. Because knowledge is power, the more information you have, the better!
What are some of the most typical trailer lengths?
Semi-trailers have the following standard dimensions: 48-53 feet in length (576 – 636 inches) 8.5 feet in width (102 inches) 13.5 feet in height (162 inches)
How is the tongue of a trailer measured?
To begin, ensure that your trailer is level and that the wheels are chocked.
Place a 2×4 or other solid board just below the trailer tongue on the ground. The length of the board must be at least 3-1/2 feet.
Place the bathroom scale about 2 feet away from the trailer tongue, and a block or brick about 1 foot away. A tiny piece of plywood on top of the bathroom scale will protect it.
Place one horizontal pipe in the middle of the bathroom scale and the other in the middle of the block.
Measure the distance between the trailer tongue and the ground. Make sure the pipe on the scale is 2 feet away from the tongue’s center, while the pipe on the block is 1 foot away.
Lower the trailer jack until the coupler is entirely resting on the pipe, and place a pipe vertically under the trailer tongue.
Take a preliminary reading on the bathroom scale and multiply it by three. This is the weight of the tongue.
Is it possible for a trailer tongue to be excessively long?
The following are some additional benefits of a long tongue:1) Backing advantages of a longer trailer.
2) A longer tongue makes accessing the back of the towing vehicle easier.
It’s easier to load and unload cargo or persons.
The disadvantages will now be discussed.
Aerodynamics is a significant disadvantage of a long tongue. The more distance between the tow vehicle and the trailer, the more turbulence and aerodynamic loss there will be. As a result, a longer tongue reduces fuel mileage. This is a minor effect for a tiny trailer, but over a long journey, a larger trailer (with more frontal area) will make a difference.
With a long tongue, the turning radius varies as well.
The trailer always takes a shorter path around a corner than the tow vehicle.
The greater the effect, the longer the trailer and the tighter the turn.
You’ll need to be extra mindful of hitting curbs as you move around corners if you have a lengthy tongue.
On the practical side, however, modest changes in tongue length (such as 6) will not be noticeable.
Because the hitch height has less of an effect on the ride level, a long tongue allows the ride level to be maintained better.
Finally, having a longer tongue has its drawbacks in terms of storage.
The tongue takes up space and lengthens the trailer, making it more difficult to store.
Unless you do something insane like fold the tongue (or shorten it with a hinge like this) to substantially reduce the amount of storage space necessary.
How do campsites determine the length of a trailer?
If you have a travel trailer or other towable rig, most RV owners advocate measuring the length of your rig from bumper to nose, including the tongue. This is why you should keep a lengthy tape measure on hand! Just to be sure, take the measurement twice.
How do they determine the length of a travel trailer?
The length and width of the camper are calculated by measuring the outside of the camper without factoring in the extra length of the components of the trailer that are not covered by the camper.
For example, you won’t mention the trailer tongue measurement.
You can have two distinct width measures this time.
The width of the camper with the slides in will be the first measurement, and the width with the slides out will be the second.
These two parameters are critical because the closed width determines how large the car will be when traveling and the open width determines how much room you’ll require while selecting a campsite.