nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Jun 29, 2018 14:42:52 GMT -8
"...the farther the trailer ball is behind the truck the more the effect of the weight is multiplied"
With a pick up truck that's the issue many of us face. I need an extension to keep the truck from denting the camper on sharp turns and to open the tailgate while hooked-up.
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kudzu
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Post by kudzu on Jun 29, 2018 15:59:36 GMT -8
I'm leaning more toward the Andersen even at twice the price, just because it's simpler and allows you to back up without removing the system. Apparetly there are other out there. Might want to read this. www.etrailer.com/question-108154.htmlI never remember my dad removing ours when backing up. Wish they explained why you can't.
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Post by bigbill on Jun 29, 2018 16:44:04 GMT -8
The only time that they need to be removed when backing up is if you are turning at a sharp angle. Backing up straight or a gradual turn is no problem. I always pulled forward a few times instead of unhooking unless it was absolutely necessary. In other words you can't turn more than the chains will allow, the longer the support chains the sharper you can turn. It is a good idea to have some one watching when backing up. But on most hitches unhooking the bars is not a big deal.
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Jul 1, 2018 3:12:18 GMT -8
Wow, just over an 11000# gcvw for a Tacoma! Impressive.
And to the point of leverage, that was what my little experiment was for. 800# square over the rear axle isn't going to drive the same as 250# out on the hitch, hence the idea to put the weight right up against the tailgate and see how the truck drives.
My big old Dodge is rock steady (albeit overloaded) when I haul in 5000# of sand, but it is a little wiggly with a 500# tongue weight. The location of the weight is probably more important that the actual amount. An extended hitch makes it worse.
Yeah get a wd setup with adjustable ball height. If nothnig else it can be transferred to another vehicle in the future. Mine is EZ Lift brand up to 1000# tongue weight.
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Jul 1, 2018 7:16:02 GMT -8
If I may, I think you may be way overthinking the situation, considering the problem seems to be a bouncing ride. A weight distribution system will help[ greatly to eliminate that, with or without a sway control. Also, a big factor may be the lading of the trailer. It seems to me that you may need to move something in the trailer to ahead of the axle, to give a slightly heavier forward weight vs. weight behind the axle. Logically this should eliminate a lot of the bounce.
The weight distribution system is designed to level the tow vehicle and trailer, to push the tongue weight out over the entire rig. It will make the ride more even and smooth it out, but will not necessarily eliminate sway. That is a whole different problem, and it comes mostly from overloading behind the axle. Last year we towed the 16-footer to the campground, with the water tank full for the first time. The tank is rearward and REALLY changed the dynamics of the ride. Over a certain speed the way was scary-bad. After 15 miles, I pulled into a parking lot and moved all the coolers and a couple bags to the front to even it out.
You probably have seen this already, but just for the sake of sharing, this video covers a few of the basic principles.
For whatever it is worth, this is similar to the Reese system I use:
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Post by danrhodes on Jul 1, 2018 15:29:59 GMT -8
Thanks Ten. Those were good videos I hadn't seen before. Still on the fence about the expensive Andersen system since I'm mostly looking for weight distribution. From those videos, it's sounding more like even a cheaper trunion system will do what I want right now...and if it has sway control, even better. Some family is moving a few states away so my towing fears will soon be put to the test on some longer hauls.
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Jul 2, 2018 16:28:14 GMT -8
To echo what Ten said about how the weight position in the trailer here's my experience.
Our 24' jayco has the fresh water tank just aft of the axle center and the waste tanks just ahead. This 6000# trailer tows very different on the way out with full fresh tank than it does on the way home with mostly empty fresh and mostly full waste tanks. Enough so that I usually take up an extra link in the distribution chains.
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Post by danrhodes on Jul 26, 2018 15:17:58 GMT -8
Well, I bit the bullet and bought an Andersen hitch. I spoke to a representative several times who custom designed a system for the low profile of my trailer, with the brackets inverted so the don't hang down. For some weird reason, the rep didn't mention that the anti sway coupler itself hangs way, way below the ball. When all was installed and ready to be leveled, the hitch body and drop bar we're barely 7" above the ground. My trailer already takes a big chunk out of any driveway I enter, this would have been an asphalt plow. I've messaged Tim Heintz on Facebook to ask how he can recommend these with older trailers and have started an RMA with Andersen to return it. Going camping anyways, just going to have to take some Dramamine first.
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