Measuring a 5th wheel

[grey ghost]

Can anyone tell me how Keystone measures their units. Is it from rear bumper to middle of the kingpin or rear bumper to front end of the cab? In other words is a unit that is stated to be 35' long really 35' or is is longer? I suppose it is best to just bring a tape along and measure it yourself to be sure. So many places are limiting the length of your RV today, especially along the coast in California. :banghead:

[Canonman]

New rules from RVIA; Just in time
Fifth Wheel Trailers: Length is measured from the leading front edge of the pin box or extreme front of the front profile, whichever is further forward, to the rear most extremity of the trailer, bumper or rear wall/rear cap if not equipped or installed with a bumper

https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/rv-industry-association-board-directors-approves-requirement-add-vehicle-length-labels-all-manufactured-units

[flybouy]

I just took a tape measure and measured it when I went to put the numbers in my RV GPS. Last thing I want to do is travel to a booked CG and have to leave because the tongue is sticking out into the road.

I'd like to know how they are calculating the tongue/pin weights these days. Seems like the "empty" weights , as irrelevant to real world weights, seems to be constantly shrinking with regard to % of published empty weights. I'm guessing the marketing folks are doing this to get even more newbies to bite on buying a larger unit when they have marginal available payload .

[CWtheMan]

I just took a tape measure and measured it when I went to put the numbers in my RV GPS. Last thing I want to do is travel to a booked CG and have to leave because the tongue is sticking out into the road.

I'd like to know how they are calculating the tongue/pin weights these days. Seems like the "empty" weights , as irrelevant to real world weights, seems to be constantly shrinking with regard to % of published empty weights. I'm guessing the marketing folks are doing this to get even more newbies to bite on buying a larger unit when they have marginal available payload .

The manufacturer's tongue weight for RV trailers is a federal requirement that all new trailers must pass before being certified. Of course the manufacturers recommended tongue weight must be published.

Here is the actual wording found in FMVSS 49 CFR 571.120 paragraph S10.2; "On RV trailers, the sum of the GAWRs of all axles on the vehicle plus the vehicle manufacturer's recommended tongue weight must not be less than the GVWR. If tongue weight is specified as a range, the minimum value must be used."

Because the recommendation is always much lower than consumers perceive as normal, they look at it as a "dry weight" number. Notice that the GVWR is the target, that's not a dry weight, it's a maximum weight. Besides that, once a consumer takes control of a trailer, the tongue weight is 100% their responsibility.

[jsb5717]

This one gets debated on other forums as well. Fortunately the OEMs post the overall length on their websites. Going forward they will also be required to publish them on the RV's themselves.

I typically add 4-5' to the model call-out and get pretty close for estimating purposes.My 305RL is actually about 35'.

That only works for newer, more recent rigs. It seems that the OEM's have been changing how they call out and measure their trailers over the years. My 1996 Road Ranger 30HF was actually 30'. The OP's 2011 29MK is about 32'. So the target keeps moving. Adding 4-5' works for now

[chunker]

If in doubt, whip it out. The tape measure that is. A friend was building an enclosed metal building/pole barn for his RV and went to the "manufacturing specifications" for the length. Based on the "manufacturer's specifications" he contracted for the building dimensions. Well the building is 6" too short so he had to punch out the back with a sort of lean-to effect in order to get in inside and close the door. Measure TWICE.

[ewbldavis]

ours seems right at brochure length. Model number can be irrelevant. Our previous TT was a 32QB, but exact same unit with a kitchen was 30KB.

We have a 32BHS. I checked length and door/awning placement for a deck. Measured along black strip, it was 29'-8" long. Adding gooseneck, we're right at the 36' in brochure.

I always add to it when booking a site - I put at least 37 or 38 depending on campground. Our 33ft travel trailer I put 35 so I know we're good :)

[wiredgeorge]

We have a Cougar 287EFS. It is 28.7' so back in 2002 the number may have meant something. It is a rear kitchen model and have no idea where they came up with EFS. Probably EXTRA FANCY and SLEEK? How many camper sales ads have you seen for a 32abc and the seller will claim the camper is 32' when in reality it is 37' (or other but way off)?

[GMH]

This is our 2010 Cougar 26SAB and 2017 F250. I don’t know where they got 26 from...interior maybe?