Measurement/Length of Rear Slide TTs

[Yellow Buddy]

I'm currently looking at some travel trailers with rear slide outs and trying to narrow based on length. I know the official measurements are typically hitch to bumper, but does anyone know how rear slides are accounted for? Are they typically still using hitch to bumper, or are they measuring with the slide out?

Thank you,

 

[JRTJH]

Keystone defines length as: "The distance from the centerline of the hitch pin/coupler to the rear bumper of the trailer." So the rear slide is not considered in the brochure specifications for length. If you think about it, trailers with side slides are listed as either 96, 98 or 101, 102 inches wide. All of those measurements are with the side slides retracted. In other words, length and width are specified in "travel position"...

I'm not aware of any Keystone trailer that has a rear slide that is anything other than a "foundation for a mattress", so the rear slide "should be very close to the size of that bed". Even then, some are "canvass enclosures" some are "solid wall enclosures" so the construction does play a part in wall thickness, which adds to overall slide width and length.

That said, the actual distance from the rear wall of the trailer to the end of the slide (when extended) will depend on factors such as the slope of the rear wall, the presence or absence of a rear bumper, or other factors (if there might be any)

So, if the extended length is critical for some reason, such as parking, storage with the rear slide extended or other reasons, then I'd strongly urge you to do your own "actual measurement using your own ruler/tape measure"... This is one where a "best guess by a salesman or the guy that washes trailers for display" is not going to get you any reliable information to make such decisions. If all you need is a "best guess" type length, then I'd suggest using the length of the bed as a starting point, then just adding that to the specified trailer length. That will be "kind of close"... But if "inches" are a concern, nothing beats your own measurements. Not much is worse than buying a $30K trailer (or more) and finding out that it's 2" too long for the space you have to park it.

As an observation, I don't believe any current floorplans that are in production have a rear slide option, but some do have a "fold down patio deck/rear wall". So, if you're looking at a Keystone trailer, it will be one that is already built and you won't be able to special order one "built with your options"....

 

[Yellow Buddy]

Keystone defines length as: "The distance from the centerline of the hitch pin/coupler to the rear bumper of the trailer." So the rear slide is not considered in the brochure specifications for length. If you think about it, trailers with side slides are listed as either 96, 98 or 101, 102 inches wide. All of those measurements are with the side slides retracted. In other words, length and width are specified in "travel position"...

I'm not aware of any Keystone trailer that has a rear slide that is anything other than a "foundation for a mattress", so the rear slide "should be very close to the size of that bed". Even then, some are "canvass enclosures" some are "solid wall enclosures" so the construction does play a part in wall thickness, which adds to overall slide width and length.

That said, the actual distance from the rear wall of the trailer to the end of the slide (when extended) will depend on factors such as the slope of the rear wall, the presence or absence of a rear bumper, or other factors (if there might be any)

So, if the extended length is critical for some reason, such as parking, storage with the rear slide extended or other reasons, then I'd strongly urge you to do your own "actual measurement using your own ruler/tape measure"... This is one where a "best guess by a salesman or the guy that washes trailers for display" is not going to get you any reliable information to make such decisions. If all you need is a "best guess" type length, then I'd suggest using the length of the bed as a starting point, then just adding that to the specified trailer length. That will be "kind of close"... But if "inches" are a concern, nothing beats your own measurements. Not much is worse than buying a $30K trailer (or more) and finding out that it's 2" too long for the space you have to park it.

As an observation, I don't believe any current floorplans that are in production have a rear slide option, but some do have a "fold down patio deck/rear wall". So, if you're looking at a Keystone trailer, it will be one that is already built and you won't be able to special order one "built with your options"....

Thank you! We were looking at some used so this helps tremendously.

A best guess / North Star type of guide was what we were looking for. We have a 25' tip to tail right now and while the pads of the places we go would fit us with ease, the roads are usually tight. A 30' would be great for space but has been worrying us on the drive, hence the considerations for something that might be a 25' but bump out to give the extra room.

 

[NH_Bulldog]

Years ago we had a Jayco hybrid travel trailer and the listed length was the center of the hitch coupler to the rear bumper. However, once it was setup on a campsite, with the bed ends deployed, it added 1' to the front and 4' to the rear taking me from 24' in travel position to 29' in camp position. I used 30' as a length when making campsite reservations.

Measurement methodology has changed from time to time, so if length has a "not to exceed" measurement for you, I would suggest physically measuring one to be safe.

 

[albikilo]

Most of the time, the advertised length is from the hitch to the bumper, without including the deployed rear slide-out. If the total space with the slide open is important to you, it is better to check the detailed specifications or measure in person. Some models add several feet once the slide is out. What type of TT are you looking for?

 

[Yellow Buddy]

Most of the time, the advertised length is from the hitch to the bumper, without including the deployed rear slide-out. If the total space with the slide open is important to you, it is better to check the detailed specifications or measure in person. Some models add several feet once the slide is out. What type of TT are you looking for?

It's important superficially - meaning we're ok with it deployed much larger as long as it travels "at about 30'"

The 261ubh was the one we were looking at. It looks like it would be 30' 9" retracted and about 34' extended.