For those with 40-45' toy haulers..

**johndeerefarmer** · 03-01-2023, 08:59 AM

We currently have a 32' Reflection. Any issues with jumping up on length to 40-45'? Any issue backing or turning compared to a smaller trailer?

My truck is diesel so we get fuel at truck stops using the TSD card. What about the built in fuel station for your toys? Where do you fill that up? At the Loves that we stop at the gas pumps are usually so close to the store it would be next to impossible to get a 40' trailer and truck in to fill up the gas

There are some Toot n Totem's that we stop at in Amarillo and other locations with RV pumps with gas and diesel but none around where we live. You might get into the outer part of a QT because they have diesel and gas at every pump.

Thoughts?

**tamrick** · 03-01-2023, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by johndeerefarmer

We currently have a 32' Reflection. Any issues with jumping up on length to 40-45'? Any issue backing or turning compared to a smaller trailer?

My truck is diesel so we get fuel at truck stops using the TSD card. What about the built in fuel station for your toys? Where do you fill that up? At the Loves that we stop at the gas pumps are usually so close to the store it would be next to impossible to get a 40' trailer and truck in to fill up the gas

There are some Toot n Totem's that we stop at in Amarillo and other locations with RV pumps with gas and diesel but none around where we live. You might get into the outer part of a QT because they have diesel and gas at every pump.

Thoughts?

You'll have a short learning curve. Just need to get out and practice the turning and backing. The longer length will be noticeable. Right turns will be the most important; gotta make sure you swing wide! As far as filling the gasoline tanks, I use ethanol free gas from our local Walmart. I pick a slow time about a week ahead of our trip and back into the outer island to fill up. If I'm in a hurry, I use my 3 5 gallon jugs and make a couple of trips to top off the aux tank. Since we store our lawn equipment in the same building as our toy hauler, I use the aux tank to fill my lawn equipment. Works out well to keep the gasoline fresh.

PS; Dont forget to make sure the sites you reserve are long/wide enough.

**johndeerefarmer** · 03-01-2023, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by tamrick

You'll have a short learning curve. Just need to get out and practice the turning and backing. The longer length will be noticeable. Right turns will be the most important; gotta make sure you swing wide! As far as filling the gasoline tanks, I use ethanol free gas from our local Walmart. I pick a slow time about a week ahead of our trip and back into the outer island to fill up. If I'm in a hurry, I use my 3 5 gallon jugs and make a couple of trips to top off the aux tank. Since we store our lawn equipment in the same building as our toy hauler, I use the aux tank to fill my lawn equipment. Works out well to keep the gasoline fresh.

PS; Dont forget to make sure the sites you reserve are long/wide enough.

Thanks. Yeah, the small sites in the state parks worry me some......

**FT4NOW** · 03-01-2023, 11:05 AM

I don't find the length difficult at all, forward or back; just need to learn how your setup responds on turns. I will say the 5th wheels with 2 axles respond a little faster to steering wheel input when backing compared to 5th wheels with 3 axles. I still prefer to have the 3 axles to ensure enough capacity to support the weight. Obviously you have an extra axle for maintenance if you have 3 axles. I use Flying J whenever I can to fill the on-board tanks in the RV lanes. If you're out West, a lot of Maverick fuel stations have RV lanes as well which include gas. I also have the TSD card and use it for the truck. Anytime we need fuel or just a bathroom break on the road I use truck stops since they can easily accommodate our size. The on-board tank fuel necks are at a weird angle and you have to hold the fuel nozzle in place.

**johndeerefarmer** · 03-01-2023, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by FT4NOW

I don't find the length difficult at all, forward or back; just need to learn how your setup responds on turns. I will say the 5th wheels with 2 axles respond a little faster to steering wheel input when backing compared to 5th wheels with 3 axles. I still prefer to have the 3 axles to ensure enough capacity to support the weight. Obviously you have an extra axle for maintenance if you have 3 axles. I use Flying J whenever I can to fill the on-board tanks in the RV lanes. If you're out West, a lot of Maverick fuel stations have RV lanes as well which include gas. I also have the TSD card and use it for the truck. Anytime we need fuel or just a bathroom break on the road I use truck stops since they can easily accommodate our size. The on-board tank fuel necks are at a weird angle and you have to hold the fuel nozzle in place.

I am also considering a 40' Cimarron toy hauler (all aluminum construction) with spread axles.

**FT4NOW** · 03-01-2023, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by johndeerefarmer

I am also considering a 40' Cimarron toy hauler (all aluminum construction) with spread axles.

I don't know anything about that brand, but all aluminum is nice, no rust issues, kind of like those ATC trailers.

**A.Texas.Yankee** · 03-01-2023, 01:59 PM

The biggest concern you will face vs. the shorter length is the length of the trailer behind the axles (increased tail swing). This comes heavily into play at gas stations and trees (why oh WHY do they have trees so close to turns??).

Depending on your skills, you will see a harder time getting into sites, especially tax funded parks (local, state, etc.). My first trip out was Palo Duro Canyon with a 395MS-R. NOT for the faint of heart (even park rangers wondered how I succeeded getting into our Mesquite Area site 90 cleanly).

**tamrick** · 03-01-2023, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by A.Texas.Yankee

The biggest concern you will face vs. the shorter length is the length of the trailer behind the axles (increased tail swing). This comes heavily into play at gas stations and trees (why oh WHY do they have trees so close to turns??).

Depending on your skills, you will see a harder time getting into sites, especially tax funded parks (local, state, etc.). My first trip out was Palo Duro Canyon with a 395MS-R. NOT for the faint of heart (even park rangers wondered how I succeeded getting into our Mesquite Area site 90 cleanly).

Well I was worried about taking my 351m down into Palo Duro, I guess I will rethink....

**johndeerefarmer** · 03-01-2023, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by A.Texas.Yankee

The biggest concern you will face vs. the shorter length is the length of the trailer behind the axles (increased tail swing). This comes heavily into play at gas stations and trees (why oh WHY do they have trees so close to turns??).

Depending on your skills, you will see a harder time getting into sites, especially tax funded parks (local, state, etc.). My first trip out was Palo Duro Canyon with a 395MS-R. NOT for the faint of heart (even park rangers wondered how I succeeded getting into our Mesquite Area site 90 cleanly).

Thanks. I have been towing for 40 years, mainly hay on a gooseneck trailer and the RV a dozen times a year. I did like the slider hitch that I had because it moved the pin to the rear and made it easier to maneuver. I got a Goosebox a couple years ago so have gotten used to that again.

**A.Texas.Yankee** · 03-01-2023, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by tamrick

Well I was worried about taking my 351m down into Palo Duro, I guess I will rethink....

I will say you can do it for sure, but there are only a few sites I would attempt to park in, and only 1 dumpstation I felt comfortable using (although both are "doable").. You will want to go down extremely slowly, and be absolutely certain your truck and trailer brakes are up to snuff. That grade is NO joke (11 or 12% if memory is accurate), and the switchbacks are blind and tight, so you will be crossing yellow lines (and people speed up and down). Ranger escorted us out of park because of the traffic and us having to cross yellow in a few blind corners. They were great about it!

It was very well worth it. Here's site 89 (much easier than 90)