Meaning of Model Number

[LoveToCamp]

For instance, TM 2417 is 21'6" long when open, 18' when towing. Factory page says it is "equivalent to a 24' travel trailer". The other models have similar disparities.

How is a 2417 equivalent to a 24' travel trailer? Is the tongue measured in a normal travel trailer? Seems like any trailer's length would be figured by measuring from the outside of the front wall to the outside of the rear wall. I would prefer it to be measured from the inside of the walls, to keep everything equal.

[Padgett]

Doesn't work that way once the marketeers go into action. Same reason a 2x4 isn't.

The major length is unfolded, minor is folded but bumper to hitch. Minor length (measured is 19'10" so 20' is a good one.My 2720SL expands 44" at each end. (must be the same to keep roof seal so add 88"or a bit over 7 feet. OTOH the actual coach length is 16' (you lose 4' of hitch extension) so the real open length is 16'+7' or 23'. But then the front and rear awnings open about 2' each so then you have 27'. Just creative accounting (and don't ask if you do not have a front window/awning...). Nicht wahr ?

Industry standard to include the length of the hitch in any trailer measurement.

Has always been that way...

[LoveToCamp]

Thanks. In simple terms, when open, it is the outside measurement of the living space (tip-to-tip of upper shells) plus the tongue length. It makes sense, now.

[Padgett]

Dunno, when open my front "stone shield" sticks out past the end of the tongue. (would encounter the rear window of my Jeep if hitched)

[Redtail Cruiser]

Padgett, so... why would you want your stone shield open on an unopened trailer anyway? Those of us with upright tanks couldn't open it without opening the shell first.

[tentcamper]

Stone shields on a TT are not counted unless they extends past the tip or rear bumper when closed and traveling down the road. TT is tip to tip when traveling down the road per DMV or DOT. The box size of a normal TT is about 3-4 feet less then the TT length when you take into account the rear bumper and tongue. So a normal 27" TT has a box somewhere around 23-24 feet in length. It all stems on overall trailer length when registering the trailer with DMV for TT.

But there have been some very innovated TT, such as the early 60 Holiday Rambler that had the bunk that hung over the tongue. The box size was almost the length of the trailer. I'm sure there are TT that have a rear slide-out which is not counted, but I'm sure the marketing people now how to sell the extra length.

My 2720 box when open is about 3.5 feet less then 27' and ends up between 23 -24 feet in length. But you need to measure at the upper part of the front.

My minor length is 20'3" do to the older style bumper.

[Padgett]

Folks I meant that if the TM is unfolded while still hitched to my TV (can and have). Then if the front stone guard/awning is opened it will stike the rear window of my TV. The point being that the only way for my 2720SL to reach 27 feet long is to include both open stone guards in the measurement and the front one opens past the hitch ball.

That is essentially what post #7 says so we seem to be in agreement. The open box is 23ish feet long.

Folded into travel mode and with the hitch unswung I measured 19'10" so the 20 part is reasonable.

[Jeff the marmot]

I've been wondering the same thing lately. I'm still pretty new to our Trailmanor, but I don't understand where they get the 27' from. We have a 2720SD. The 20' makes sense. But the only way to get to 27' is with both window stone guards open. Otherwise it's really about 24'. There are some interesting replies in this thread!

[ShrimpBurrito]

My understanding is that, in reference to a 2720:

• the 20 is the actual length, bumper to tongue
• the 27 is the length of a traditional travel trailer that has an amount of living space comparable to the TM. If you figure the tongue of any trailer is roughly 3 feet, then a 27-foot traditional trailer has about 24 feet of living space, which is roughly the same as the 2720.

I think it was simply a way to give people a means to compare the size of a TM to a traditional trailer, since the lengths cannot be compared directly.

Remember, size matters.

Dave