What is the biggest difference between towing a 320 or a 400?

KatieKamper

We owned a 320 for six years and sold it due to health reasons, then we regretted it when I got better. Now we are looking at a 400 and wonder if I can tow it as easily as the 320? Maybe i need to mention I am 79! We enjoyed being able to move and park the 320 easily, but would love more room. Not sure what to do, any suggestions?

AnOldUR

I think the real question is what's the difference between a minimalist approach and the thought that bigger is better. Teardrop trailers have traditionally been sought after for the former. In my opinion, the 320 still fits into that category. I can't quite stand up straight. Navigating the interior with more than one person inside is a challenge. The wet bath is its own experience in contortion. I can tow it behind my two door Jeep and when we reach a destination, it can be manually maneuvered into position if necessary.

The question is less about your towing concerns and more about your desire to have more room. Perhaps justifying a teardrop trailer would be a better way to approach your decision making.

Horigan

The 400 is nice because you don't have to break down the bed every morning and rebuild it every evening. That's what drove us to the 400 from the 320. The towing wasn't very different. It has basically the same frontal area, so the gas mileage will still be low. Tow rating between vehicles would be the biggest difference. With a 320 you can tow with a 3500 lb rating, whereas with a 400 it's best to tow with 5000 lbs tow rating.

MuttonChops

@KatieKamper , I've also considered changing to a 400.
After playing house in one, on dealer lot, I've decided to wait on the change.
Have you spent time in a 400?

That said, if my next trailer purchase was limited to nüCamp models even with the living issues found during that afternoon . . . today I would buy a 400 over the 320 or 360 due to one feature. The 400 has a black tank wet bath. I'm also in the 70's and have no interest or upper body strength to be lifting (trailer to ground) a full cassette toilet tank every couple of days when camping.

As for your question, Towing Differences.

1. Can you tow vehicle [TV]handle the 400's larger GVWR and increased tongue weight or must you also purchase a different TV.
2. 400 is still a single axle trailer. So it will track the TV and backup about the same. 400's longer wheelbase (coupler to wheels) should slightly improve the backing up manners.
3. in addition to increase GVWR the 400 is taller and wider than a 320. It has greater frontal area so towing MPG will drop.
   1. Size reference:

elbolillo

We loved our 320. But we love our 400 even more. Being able to stand up straight in the kitchen and the bathroom is huge for me. And the bed is wonderful despite one person having to climb over the other at night. Plus, the vast majority of our equipment fits nicely in the 400 so that less needs to be stowed in our tow vehicle.

RTWCTS

We spent a couple of years towing each with a Chevy Colorado @KatieKamper .

Because of the increased tongue weight of the 400, we added an Andersen weight distribution/anti sway hitch. It takes an extra few minutes to hitch up trailer to truck. The feel in the driver's seat is about the same going down the road. The 400 is about a foot wider, so seeing what is in the next lane over isn't as clear. That really hasn't been an issue, just an observation. I find backing into a site to actually be easier. The distance from the hitch to the trailer wheels is longer in the 400, so the trailer doesn't turn as quick backing up (fewer adjustments needed). We did switch to a full-size pickup a while back and don't use the weight distribution with the new truck.

As we transition from 'Go-Go' to 'Slow-Go' in our camping style the extra room in the 400 has been wonderful.

Bill&Suze

Hi @KatieKamper, I'm 79 also and we have a number of grandkids who live nearby with two of our sons. Our 400 with the front bunk option has come in handy in allowing both sons to use the camper and have their two daughters camp with them, employing the front bunks. I'm also 6'-1" and really appreciate the head room in the 400 as @elbolillo mentioned. We also like the larger kitchen and the lack of a cassette toilet. If your tow vehicle is adequate for the heavier tongue weight of the 400 I would hazard a guess that you would come to enjoy it as much as you did your 320.