EcoBoostJake

Thank you Smokey, Oil and Feather.

The information on various WD hitch types is especially helpful, and looks like i have some additional homework before I actually make a purchase. I Figure if we are taking a trip to MI in the end of may, i should order one in the next few weeks to give me time to install and test it before we leave.

Also sadly the trailer did not come with any additional paperwork aside from the title stating the make/model and year. I opened everything inside and looked on the outside of the frame for a manufacturers tag like we have on our pop up. However i came up empty handed.

I do know that the truck sagged more when i loaded my friends 700 lbs. motorcycle in it when he broke down. So i would think a 1,000 hitch is more than enough, without being too much.

I will also look and see if there is a scale in a reasonable distance from our house. We are from just outside of Chicago so i am sure there is something close enough to get it done on a weekend if the weather is good.

As for the bags, i really want them now, but as it is not a required purchase i think it is making the Christmas list.

As always, I am impressed with the level of helpfulness from everyone on this forum. Not one mention my obvious unfamiliarity with larger trailers, or that most of my questions could have been solved by spending an hour or two on google searching.

OilFieldCash

If you would have posted in the 2015-2016 section, you been have been raked over coals, bought the wrong travel trailer, most likely called dumb for buying a travel trailer at all... It's ridiculous on that section.

https://catscale.com
There's you a link! Hope it helps. Not to insult your intelligence, but be sure to check with all the things you have to do in your State and County to be legal, and any other states you plan on traveling through!

EcoBoostJake

Thank you Oil,

I am very glad i am in the 09-14 bracket then! Also thank you for the link it looks like i have a scale within 45 minutes of home.

And no offense taken, there are plenty of things it is easy to overlook when jumping into something new. Thus it is nice to be reminded of the basics, even if i may know some of them.

OilFieldCash

No Problem at all! I was pulling trailer on our ranch several years before I could get a license and almost daily since. If you have brakes and all the lights work, you should be fine in any state you pull through. The main thing that can change from State to State is weight limits for axles whether that be personal or commercial use. Some highways/interstates you may possibly have to get a Permit to pull your trailer on. I usually have to if I pull one of my goosenecks into Louisiana or Arkansas. My 2013 XLT 4x4 5.5' crew cab was a 5.0 with 3.55s and it pulled like a champ. With those 3.73's, you shouldn't have any issue at all. But if you get an SCT X4 tuner or the LiveWire and some 5Star or MPT tunes, it should perform even better.

I don't believe I read anything about tires yet above. Make sure all of your tires are rated for all of the weight before you go on that trip!

EcoBoostJake

So I checked the tires for dry rot and good tread when we got the trailer, and they guy said they were replaced last year. I did not think to check the specs on the actual rubber to see if they meet our needs, but I will look this weekend to see what they can hold.

However I did run into a question that Smokey touched on regarding WD hitches. He called out a few different kinds, but I have only seen the ones with chains being used, and I assume those are friction based. If someone wouldn't mind looking at the two hitches I found on Amazon, and giving their opinion, I would appreciate it.

The first is the cheaper one I prefer that looks similar to the type my father and grand father use.




The second one is slightly more expensive but as it does not have chains, I am unsure how exactly to level it, but more importantly, I am unsure how the trailer would turn with the truck once we get off a highway. The installation instructions would cover this, but I still feel I would prefer something I have seen and helped attach if only once in my life.





Thank you for your input everyone,

schmenke

Did you check the date-of-manufacture code on the sidewalls?

OilFieldCash

Also, your pickup tires. I dont know which tires you have but check them out as well. I dont have experience with either of those hitches personally. Hopefully someone else has.

mark waller

I've used the Eaz Lift and its a good basic WDH. I have it on my current 19 foot (3750 lbs) travel trailer but when I go larger I will upgrade to a better one. For the small price difference I would lean toward the Curt. You do not have to worry about off the highway but many WDH's say to unhook off roading.................
In regards to truck tires E load is preferred over C load tires.

doctorschlachter

Check out the Andersen WDH. I have one and it amazes me! I can load up my 700 lb atv in the box, and hook up to my 7300 lb travel trailer, and have everything sit perfectly level. It is really easy to use and adjust.

Air bags are OKAY at best. They do not properly move the weight to the front axle of the truck, or back to the trailer axles.

Check this out: http://www.fastwaytrailer.com/index....cb1de-26669213

EcoBoostJake

So I did a bit of searching last night, and understand better how to level out the trailer and how the WD hitch functions. Currently I am thinking of ordering the Curt one this afternoon so I can try it next weekend for mothers day. I looked at the Anderson hitch and it is just too rich for my blood at this time. We are only going 20 miles down the road to a local forest preserve with my inlaws, but I want to make sure everything works right before we go out to MI or a longer trip this summer.


As for tires, it was dark and raining last night before I got home so I did not check out my truck. I sure hope mine are rated properly. I would rather not replace them as they are almost new, and that would be a very unexpected large expense.... My wife is already freaking out about a $300 hitch and an estimated $200 spare tire for the trailer. Although thankfully she accepts both are required if we want to be safe.