How To Determine If Trailer Is Too Long for Tow Vehicle

Updated 06/25/2020 | Published 06/10/2020

Question:

We bought a trailer and are pulling it with a 2013 navigator the trailer is 32feet long and we are all over the road. We told the dealer it’s to long for our wheel base but they are telling us the wheel base don’t matter. Is this true?

asked by: Marlene V

Expert Reply:

The longer the wheelbase on the tow vehicle, the longer trailer that can be towed without stability issues. I don't have an exact formula for you but as a general rule, the first 110 inches of wheelbase allow for a twenty foot trailer and for each additional four inches of wheelbase length, you get one foot more in trailer length.

That said, most of these stability issues are caused by rear end sag which can be alleviated with a weight distribution system like the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System part # EQ37100ET for example.

expert reply by: Conner L

Marlene V.

6/19/2020

We already had that on our vehicle but it still did not work.

Chris R.

6/23/2020

Did you see any improvement at all with the weight distribution system? Do you mind telling me the trailer's weight along with the specific model system you have installed?

Marlene V.

6/23/2020

@ChrisR dry weight is 6,700 and total weight is 8,700. No we did not see no improvement at all. I’m not sure what model system was on there the place we bought it from installed it they told us they matched it to my Navigator.

Chris R.

6/25/2020

@MarleneV Thanks for the info. It would be pretty odd not to see any improvement at all with a properly rated and adjusted weight distribution system added. I wonder if the system is under-rated for the trailer (it should be matched to the trailer's weight, not the vehicle's) or simply needs some adjustments. I would check with who you bought it from to see exactly what was installed.