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Sometimes I wonder about these threads and how many responders actually have towing experience.
@OP - your dry weight is 4k lbs. Once you load up water, supplies, etc. you're going to be pretty close to the limit without WD. Rule of thumb for towing is leave a cushion from the max of the tow vehicle's capacity. I'm not going to quote how much of a cushion because I'll get a bunch of crazy responses/ comments. IMHO, get a WD system. It will level the ride, handle better and provide piece of mind.
You can find several great options for under $300.
Like previously mentioned, WD hitch also levels the trailer which will reduce sway. I was always told to add 1000lbs to the dry weight for all of the stuff you'll be putting in it. You can keep some weight down by filling and dumping water at the campsite if they have it.
Like previously mentioned, WD hitch also levels the trailer...
While a WDH setup is certainly a better way to go than the ol' bumper hitch routine, there are many other things that affect trailer attitude. First, the loaded tow vehicle's hitch height. Next, the trailer's tongue weight.
All a WDH should really do is throw a little weight farther forward along the tow vehicle's frame, influencing the front axle weight.
The Toyota pictured in the prior post is still too tail-heavy to be using as a good example of a WDH setup.
Well Im switching TTs. New one is 300 pounds lighter dry but 90 pounds heavier on the hitch weight. Going to go with a WD hitch with sway control. After adding a battery, and 2 20# propane tanks I'll bee over the 500# limit of the factory hitch without adding personal gear.
Just wonder how many of the na sayers have taken a ride when the trailer takes over. It only takes once after you poop your pants if your lucky to live through the white knuckle experience!! Yes it is only flat land Florida but many a gust of wind have flipped or ditched trucks and trailers out on the flat lands. It is not only your life at risk but every other person on the road!!! As for salesman's knowledge his job is sales #'s out the door of the dealership.
While a WDH setup is certainly a better way to go than the ol' bumper hitch routine, there are many other things that affect trailer attitude. First, the loaded tow vehicle's hitch height. Next, the trailer's tongue weight.
All a WDH should really do is throw a little weight farther forward along the tow vehicle's frame, influencing the front axle weight.
The Toyota pictured in the prior post is still too tail-heavy to be using as a good example of a WDH setup.
Toyota appears to be on an incline.
Many folks also don't know how to load a trailer. Hitch height is one thing but you can easily level out the trailer and hitch using the right equipment.
Balancing weight in the two vehicle bed and trailer can make a world of difference for stability and control. Generally want to keep heavier stuff ahead of the trailer axle.
Just wonder how many of the na sayers have taken a ride when the trailer takes over. It only takes once after you poop your pants if your lucky to live through the white knuckle experience!! Yes it is only flat land Florida but many a gust of wind have flipped or ditched trucks and trailers out on the flat lands. It is not only your life at risk but every other person on the road!!! As for salesman's knowledge his job is sales #'s out the door of the dealership.
My advice is always to take the truck-and-trailer combo across a CAT scale and see what the number really are rather than relying on factory numbers.
Ideally make 3 passes... truck alone, truck+trailer with the weight distribution set, truck+trailer with weight distribution unset. My Airstream runs pretty close to the factory numbers, but I needed a little different-from-standard setting on the hitch to get my axle weights right, for example. I use a Blue Ox Swaypro which has sway control designed into the geometry of the hitch, but with my older trailer I used a friction sway bar for years and had no complaints.
I have friends who moved up from an SUV towing a light camper to a big travel trailer and a 2500 RAM. His attitude was "big truck don't need no fancy hitch!" and after a couple of trips hers was "I'm not getting back in that rig until we get this sorted out." Turns out they were a little short on the tongue weight as a percentage of the total trailer weight, and loading their stuff more forward in the trailer plus a cheap, properly-sized WD hitch with a friction sway bar and even he admits it's way better than before.
Just wonder how many of the na sayers have taken a ride when the trailer takes over. It only takes once after you poop your pants if your lucky to live through the white knuckle experience!! Yes it is only flat land Florida but many a gust of wind have flipped or ditched trucks and trailers out on the flat lands. It is not only your life at risk but every other person on the road!!! As for salesman's knowledge his job is sales #'s out the door of the dealership.
16 lariat crew trailer towing
It wasn't an RV but my first boat was a 1987 Bayliner 2152 Capri Cuddy I bought used in 1991, around 3500lbs. I didn't check the trailer brakes when I bought it. It pushed my 1989 Grand Marquis down a hill through a stop sign at a T intersection. Sure glad nothing was coming.
05-29-2017, 06:52 AM
