Dear Dave,
How does one know whether the advertised length of a travel trailer includes the tongue? I have seen the question asked online and it has been answered both “yes” and “no”. —Lynn, 19-ft. Keystone Springdale TT
Dear Lynn,
Quick answer, the advertised travel trailer length seldom includes the tongue, but rather it is the interior living space.
Trailer model numbers and lengths never seem to match
This has been a long-running issue in the RV industry, as model numbers and lengths seem to never match up. At Winnebago we jokingly commented that a 32RQ model was, in fact, 32’ – 32” in length.
Every manufacturer has their own take on what they should call the model. Some have the theory that the floorplan is the interior length, so people shopping for a traditional length will look for or “shop” that model.
Over the years, I followed various models. The 34RQ was a very popular floorplan with a full size bed, large bathroom, a couch, and dinette in a fairly easy to drive length. Then the front cap was redesigned to utilize what the engineers called a uniformed “H” design that added about 20” to the front cap.
Then the Adventurer got a facelift with a full fiberglass molded back cap and stylized bumper which also added approximately 20”. But the unit was still listed as a 34RQ (rear queen). The theory was it still had the same 34RQ interior floorplan. However, most of the time the actual length was listed correctly in the brochure.
Length from front cap to back wall
As for travel trailers, it seems most RV manufacturers list the actual length as the front cap to the back wall. I checked with a few companies and found a wide variety of descriptions given with a few that stated the length posted on the brochure or website was interior length. It did not include a rear bumper or even a spare tire mounted to the back. And most do not include the length of the front frame and hitch.
For example, this 2024 Forest River Grand Surveyor is stored next to my office, so I did some measuring.
It is a model 305RLBS and is listed in the brochure at 38’10” exterior length. I measured the unit and the box is actually 35’9″ from the back end to the farthest point of the rounded front cap. The bumper and spare tire are another 18″ off the back, and the front tongue is 30″ out from the front cap. So that makes it a total of 39’16”.
Maybe they are measuring the front tongue/coupler back to the back of the bumper, as I believe the spare tire and mount might be optional.
Another example of a Surveyor
Here is another example of a 2018 Forest River Surveyor 287BHSS, which lists a length of 32’10”. The actual length from the front coupler to the bumper in the back was 33′.
This unit had a ladder and cargo carrier that was not included in the measurements. However, I believe the total length was fairly accurate.
Here is an example of the designation of a couple Keystone Springdale models.
- Keystone Springdale 2100RL – Actual length posted is 25’5”. This is from the back bumper to the front cap and does not include the tongue and hitch.
- Keystone Springdale 2300BH – Actual length posted is 27’6”. The same measurements are used.
No standardized length of extensions
I also found there is no “standardized” length of front “A” frame or tongue and hitch/coupler, with some smaller units having a short 3’ extension and others as long as 6’.
We found this out the hard way during one of the Ford Towing Bootcamp events in Dallas. The local dealer, Fun Town RV, offered to bring ten travel trailers for use in the hands-on demonstrations. We specified units needed to be under 27’. We had a 25RLS that was actually 31’ front to back. Wow!
Hopefully, we can get more actual “specs” from readers. And maybe we can get some information from Lippert on the reason for the different lengths of front frames/couplers. Unfortunately, I just finished conducting seminars at eight different RV shows around the country and could have gotten some real world measurements. Guess it will have to wait until fall.
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Typical lying RV manufacturers. “Buyer beware” as usual and bring a tape measure with you. Don’t believe a word the salesman says because either doesn’t know or doesn’t care. Only there to make a sale.
My 2014 Sabre 36REQS measures exactly 40 feet from pin to rear bumper. There is no rhyme nor reason for the numbers!
My KZ 270thle is 31’10” from end of the tongue to the rear bumper. The outside box length is just under 28′.
Measuring the interior, it is 27′ from the inside front wall to the ramp door. Basically, the living space.
Hence 270.
Our Columbus Compass is 377MBC, which does not measure 37′ 7″ …. but from front of 5th wheel cap to back bumper, unit measures 45′ 6″ … which is very important to know when booking a camp site …