Reversing towing wheelbase rule of thumb?

[Wincks2]

There is a towing wheel base rule thumb that a 110" wheelbase can tow a 20' trailer and then you can add 1' of trailer for each additional 4" of wheelbase.

I have a 4,000 lb camping trailer that is 16'6" from bumper to tongue hitch. Is it safe to reverse the rule of thumb and conclude that:

20' - 3' = 17'

So 110" wheelbase - (3' x 4") = 98" wheelbase would suffice.

Which means I could tow my trailer safely with a Blazer which, I think, have wheelbases of around 104".

Does this seem safe?
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[68Timber]

I've had a few and towed with them a good bit. There's no making up for that short wheelbase, 1.5 inches shorter than a 79 Z28. It will push if you brake too hard and it will whip if you change lanes too quick. Drive with that in mind and it'll do OK at that length.

[Wincks2]

Ok. Thanks. Sounds like in an ideal situation I'd havea blazer that was a little longer.
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[misternash2]

im generally pretty ignorant about squares, although i love em. i don't know what the wheelbases are, etc.

i towed my 18' bass boat, which probably has near a 20' trailer. it's an 88 ranger which isn't known to be light. it has a 175 johnson on it. i don't know what it weighs. my 85 shortbed pulled it great! it didn't seem to push bad, although it did sway a little. i blamed that for the heavy outboard over the back of the trailer though. to be fair, i drive pretty conservatively. i don't accelerate or brake real hard. (well, okay. i accelerate hard every now and then, but not pulling the boat!)

[68Timber]

That short-box pickup has 11" more wheelbase, too.

[misternash2]

wow, 11 inches is a lot. i never realized there was that much more! i'd have guessed a few at most!

[Ford Assassin]

I own a 1976 20' Komfort Travel Trailer that I tow with my K5 often. I have no idea how much it weighs, but its at least 4000+ lbs. I am running a Class III hitch with a digital trailer brake controller. I have ZERO issues with sway or 'pushing', even with a 20 mph crosswind.

I am converting to 2wd right now and considering added a sway-control type attactment, but I'll wait until I have problems before fixing a problem I don't have.