Posted 2016-01-14 10:33 AM (#165799) Subject: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Regular
Posts: 52
Location: East Aurora, NY
I am looking at buying my 1st LQ trailer. Have been camping in 2 H 2009 Sundowner and have customized a weekender with cabinets, countertop, custom boot box/love seat etc. really nice weekender! It's 16' on the floor, 24' overall. 98% of the time it's just me, my horse and my German Shepherd.It's a really handy size to get in and out of some more remote places that we camp. I want to go bigger- but not too big! What is your ideal size for horse and human comfort, without limiting places that you can go?
Posted 2016-01-14 3:16 PM (#165800 - in reply to #165799) Subject: RE: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Veteran
Posts: 113
Location: Wi
That is a very subjective question on two accounts. What might be comfortable for me wouldn't be for the next person. In addition, the places that you ride might be more or less accessible than where I ride.I would take a different approach. Consider what creature comforts (fridge, shower, toilet, couch or dinette, etc) you want in the new trailer, then research what is available that contain those features.After that is done, how much bigger is it than your existing trailer. Will you be comfortable pulling that extra length? Will it fit in the places you go camping?
Posted 2016-01-14 9:27 PM (#165804 - in reply to #165799) Subject: RE: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
Rusty has some good points. Another thing to consider is what your truck can handle. I had a 18' trailer for 10 years and wanted to move into a 3 horse but I also didn't want to go too big. I wanted between 21-22' long and ended up with a 21' 3 horse with a 7ft living quarter. I also am the only one in my trailer and I've been happy with my trailer size. I was also able to get everything I wanted in a trailer with a couch, stove, sink, refrigerator, bathroom, shower etc. I'm glad I didn't go with a longer size because it did take me awhile to get use to the new size. It really comes down to what you want in a trailer and what size your comfortable with.
Posted 2016-01-16 6:17 PM (#165813 - in reply to #165799) Subject: RE: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
Location: missouri
I missed the days when we had a smaller trailer that was so easy to get around and camp with... so handy!! Now, we have an enormous rig that is awesome once we get pulled into wherever we go... but there are some places we have a squeeze to get around
Posted 2016-01-16 8:40 PM (#165815 - in reply to #165799) Subject: RE: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 391
Location: Columbia, KY
I have a 3H Hart. 11' short wall, 8' wide. I usually go by myself and it's got plenty of room w/ out feeling cramped. It's a handy size for getting in and out of most camping spots too.
Posted 2016-01-16 11:53 PM (#165818 - in reply to #165810) Subject: RE: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Regular
Posts: 52
Location: East Aurora, NY
Rusty- you didn't miss anything. Just trying to make a decision on a major purchase, and looking for insight from others since I have never owned or pulled a LQ before.
Posted 2016-01-16 11:58 PM (#165819 - in reply to #165815) Subject: RE: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Regular
Posts: 52
Location: East Aurora, NY
Acy- Thanks! Based on people's advice, that's about what I'm leaning towards. 8' wide, 10' short wall. My truck is a Chevy 3500, But its not a dually. Will that be a problem with 8' wide?
Posted 2016-01-17 10:59 AM (#165823 - in reply to #165799) Subject: RE: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
Location: missouri
It is a 3 horse/LQ 18'SW, 33' on the box, add gooseneck, feels like home, pulls great..love it. Would like to find a lightweight alum 2 hrs to pull with my Landrover, for local day rides...
Posted 2016-01-17 5:28 PM (#165824 - in reply to #165799) Subject: RE: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
Location: TN
I have owned 3 LQs from a 6' shortwall to my current trailer that is a 13' shortwall. The only reason I have one that is as large as it is at this point is to provide enough room for my husband to work remotely while we camp and for him to be as comfortable as possible while we are camping. I do go by myself though, and cannot say I regret the size. This trailer is a 3 horse, 8' wide with 28' on the floor and us the easiest trailer to back that I have ever owned. It has enough storage that we can go for extended periods of time with plenty of storage. I can easily sit 5 adults for dinner by putting a chair at the end of the dinette. We have a roomy bathroom that we can both function in at once. You need to ask yourself what your needs really are. I love having our own bathroom, the ability to cook anything from microwave dinners to full out meals, and having all the things that make it "home away from home". I have friends who pitch cots in two horse bumper pulls, tow with motor homes and camp that way, have small weekend packages, some with living quarters that make mine look tiny, and some with living quarters that they did themselves. I have not gotten into a campground yet where I could not get backed in or set up, but I tend to be very careful about not getting into things blindly. In the end, it is all about what you can afford and what you are comfortable with!!!
Posted 2016-01-17 5:31 PM (#165825 - in reply to #165799) Subject: RE: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
Location: TN
And OP just saw your post about truck size. Best to weigh the trailer and make sure you are within specs for your truck, but I pull with a 2001 Ford F-350 SRW 4 X 4 crew cab with the 7.3 liter PowerStroke. I do pull in mountainous areas.
Posted 2018-02-01 6:40 PM (#171236 - in reply to #165799) Subject: RE: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Member
Posts: 17
Location: new england
I know this is an old post, and as I'm still looking for my next rig, I thought I'd chime in here.
I currently own a 24ft Hawk gooseneck custom stock which is super easy to maneuver and haul. I also live in a 36ft fifth wheel which feels like a monster until i get rolling. It's easy enough to haul, kind of a bear to maneuver in limited spaces. So I've spent a lot of time working out what would work best for me for long term.
First, I prefer a large box stall for my horse, and I like knowing I can turn it into 2 tie stalls if I need to. And I like an off side ramp for safety as well as an escape door. A large mid tack with carpeted walls, hose bib and walkthru to the bathroom. Extra tall and wide with a white roof and a hay rack above. Solar panels somewhere up there too somehow.
Second, the living quarters need to have at least one slide out, opposing slides are even better for making the interior spacious and functional in my experience. I also need an extra large fridge for long trips, space for a gennie, and high capacity tanks. Four season insulation and windows would be great. And I'd love it to come unfurnished and with no brown plaids or cowboy motifs! Honest, just a plain off-white interior would be awsome, lol!!
Anyway I think if the horse space is 12ft, and mid tack is 4ft, i still have 12 ft living quarters. Add a couple of slides, and that gives me plenty of room and storage, in a very maneuverable size. For my money, a 28ft would be darn near perfect.
I drive a one ton 4x4 dually and am installing a flat bed with side toolboxes and diesel tanks. I think this covers most of my wish list, I assume I'll have to have it built when I win the lottery! Hth.
Posted 2020-01-08 3:38 AM (#172934 - in reply to #172877) Subject: RE: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Regular
Posts: 52
Location: East Aurora, NY
Yes! I got an Adams 3H 13' short wall w slide out, and love it! It may seem excessive for just me, but when I take my German Shepherd and Aussie with me, we all have plenty of room.
Posted 2020-10-05 8:10 AM (#173291 - in reply to #165799) Subject: RE: Ideal trailer length for camping?
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Crafton, PA
What Is The Ideal RV Length? All parks have their own specific regulations, but we have found that the average RV length permitted is 27 feet. At this size, you should be able to fit into most national park camping areas around the US.