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By Alexander Hamilton•Last Updated April 23, 2025

Travel Trailer Width: Standard Dimensions and Considerations

Understand travel trailer width standards

When shop for a travel trailer, understand the standard dimensions is crucial for make an inform purchase decision. Width is especially important as it affects everything from road legality to storage options.

Standard width of travel trailers

Most travel trailers have a standard exterior width of 8 feet (96 inches ) This measurement has become the industry standard for several important reasons. Offset and frfront mostthis width complies with highway regulations across the uUnited Stateswithout require special permits for transportation.

The interior width of a standard travel trailer typically measure between 7 and 7.5 feet (84 90 inches ) The difference between exterior and interior measurements account for the wall thickness, insulation, and structural components.

Wide body travel trailers

Some manufacturers offer wide body travel trailers that measure 8.5 feet (102 inches )in width. These models provide additional interior space but come with certain considerations:

Extra interior living space (about 6 inches wider iinterior)
More room for furniture and movement
Potential for wider beds and seat areas
May require special permits in some states
Could present challenges on narrow roads or campgrounds

Legal regulations regard travel trailer width

Federal highway regulations broadly permit vehicles up to 8.5 feet (102 inches )wide cut on interstate highways without special permits. Notwithstanding, state regulations can vary:

Most states allow travel trailers up to 8.5 feet wide without permits
Some states have stricter requirements for certain roads
Trailers exceed 8.5 feet in width are typically classify as” wide loads ” nd require special permits and mamay hapscort vehicles

Before purchase a wider travel trailer, research the regulations in states you plan to travel through to avoid potential legal issues.

Why travel trailer width matters

Towing considerations

The width of your travel trailer flat impacts two dynamics:

Wind resistance

wider trailers create more wind resistance, which can affect fuel efficiency and handling in crosswinds
Visibility

wider trailers may require extended side mirrors on your tow vehicle
Maneuverability

navigate tight turns, narrow roads, and parking lots become more challenging with wider trailers
Stability

width can affect the trailer’s center of gravity and overall stability when tow

Campground compatibility

Not all campgrounds can accommodate wider travel trailers:

Older campgrounds oftentimes have narrower sites design for standard width units
National and state parks often have size restrictions to protect natural surroundings
Some campgrounds in mountainous regions have narrow access roads that may be difficult for wider units
Tree placement at campsites might limit the practical width of trailers that can fit

Invariably check campground specifications before make reservations with a wide body travel trailer.

Storage considerations

The width of your travel trailer affects where and how you can store it when not in use:

Standard residential garages (typically 8 9 feet wide )may not accommodate wider trailers
Storage facilities oftentimes charge by size, with wider units incur higher fees
HOA restrictions may limit the width of recreational vehicles store on residential properties
Wider trailers require more clearance when navigate to storage locations

Travel trailer width categories

Compact travel trailers

Compact or narrow travel trailers typically measure 7 to 7.5 feet (84 90 inches )in width. These slimmer models offer several advantages:

Easier towing and maneuverability, peculiarly for first time rivers
Better fuel efficiency due to reduce wind resistance
Access to more remote camping locations with narrow roads
Simpler storage options, potentially fitting in some residential garages
Lower weight, allow for tow by smaller vehicles

Popular compact travel trailer styles include teardrop trailers, pop up campers, and some lightweight models design for easy towing.

Standard travel trailers

The almost common travel trailers measure 8 feet (96 inches )spacious, balance interior space with practical towing considerations:

Comply with road regulations nationally without special permits
Provide comfortable living space for most camping needs
Offer a wide range of floor plans and lengths
Compatible with most campgrounds and RV parks
Available in various price points and feature levels

Standard width travel trailers represent the bulk of the market and come in lengths range from 12 to 35 + feet.

Wide body luxury travel trailers

Premium and luxury travel trailers oftentimes utilize the maximum legal width of 8.5 feet (102 inches )to maximize interior living space:

Roomier floor plans with more walk space
Larger bathrooms and kitchen areas
Possibility for residential sized furniture
Enhanced feeling of spaciousness
Oftentimes feature slide outs for eventide more interior room when park

These wider models typically come with higher price tags and are design for campers who prioritize comfort and amenities over ease of tow.

How width affects interior design and livability

Floor plan possibilities

The width of a travel trailer importantly impact the possible floor plan configurations:

Standard 8 foot width

typically feature a center aisle with features along both walls
Wide body 8.5 foot width

may allow for offset aisles, create space for larger features
Wider trailers can accommodate island kitchens or more spacious bathroom layouts
Sleep arrangements benefit from additional width, potentially allow for true queen or king beds

Flush six inches of additional width can dramatically change the feel and functionality of the interior space.

Furniture and appliance options

Width affect the size and type of furnishings that can :

Narrower trailers oftentimes require custom, space save furniture
Wider trailers may accommodate residential style furniture
Kitchen appliances in wider trailers can be larger and more feature rich
Bathroom fixture in wider models can include larger showers and more counter space
Dining areas in wider trailers may fit more people well

Storage solutions

Additional width translate to more storage possibilities:

Wider cabinets and wardrobes
Deeper pantries and kitchen storage
Possibility for pass through exterior storage compartments
More under bed storage capacity
Additional overhead cabinet space

For full-time rivers or those who camp for extended periods, these storage advantages can make a significant difference in livability.

Choose the right width for your needs

Assess your towing vehicle

Your tow vehicle’s capabilities should influence your travel trailer width choice:

Check your vehicle’s towing capacity and recommend trailer dimensions
Consider the width of your tow vehicle relative to the trailer
Determine if you need extended tow mirrors for wider trailers
Assess your comfort level with tow wider vehicles
Consider fuel efficiency impacts of tow wider trailers

Evaluate your camping style

How and where you plan to camp should guide your width decision:

Boon docking / disperse camping

narrower trailers may access more remote locations
Establish campgrounds

standard width commonly work considerably in most settings
Luxury RV resorts

oftentimes accommodate wider units without issue
Frequency of moves

if you relocate oftentimes, a standard width may be more practical
Length of stays

longsighted stays might justify the extra space of a wider unit

Balance space and practicality

The ideal travel trailer width represents a compromise between interior live space and practical considerations:

Will consider how much time you’ll spend inside the trailer
Will evaluate the number of people who will regularly will use the space
Think about your storage need while travel
Assess your comfort with driving and park larger vehicles
Consider any physical limitations that might benefit from more interior space

Width relate features to consider

Slide outs

Slide outs can provide additional interior width when parked:

Allow for standard exterior width while travel
Can add 2 3 feet of interior width in specific areas when deploy
Create more flexible floor plans
May offset the need for a wider base trailer
Come with additional maintenance considerations and potential leak points

Exterior features and width considerations

Various exterior components can affect the functional width of a travel trailer:

Awnings may extend several feet beyond the trailer’s width
Exterior kitchen or entertainment centers need clearance space
Stabilizer jacks and slide out supports require side clearance
External shower connections need accessibility space
Entry steps and doors require clearance for safe use

Remember to account for these features when consider campsite size requirements.

Aerodynamic considerations

The width and shape of your travel trailer affect its aerodynamic performance:

Rounded front profiles reduce wind resistance irrespective of width
Wider trailers broadly create more drag
Aftermarket wind deflectors can improve aerodynamics
Side wind impacts increase with wider trailers
Fuel efficiency typically decrease as trailer width increase

Conclusion

Travel trailer width is a critical specification that affect everything from road legality to interior comfort. Most travel trailers maintain a standard width of 8 feet (96 inches ) with wide body models extend to 8.5 feet ( (2 inches ).)he right choice depend on your specific needs, tow vehicle, camping style, and storage situation.

When shop for a travel trailer, consider width alongside length, height, and weight to ensure you select a unit that provide the right balance of space and practicality. By understand how width impact your overall RV experience, you can make a more informed decision and enjoy many comfortable adventures on the road.

Remember that fifty small differences in width can importantly affect livability, tow dytwoics, and campground compatibility. Take time to physically walk through trailers of different widths to get a tangible sense of how the space work for your needs before make your final decision.