bigred13
Michigan
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Joined: 04/24/2008
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Hello All -
We just bought our first travel trailer - we purchased a gently used 2006 Jayco Jay Feather EXP 19H. Our tow vehicle is a 2007 F150 Super Crew 5.4 V8 4x4. We were told by the dealership that we did not need a weight distribution hitch - nor did we need a sway bar. Obviously - I would love to save the extra money - is this safe and reasonable?
Also - please give any tips that you think a new RV camper may need. Also - please give your thoughts on our travel trailer purchase.
Thanks in advance.
- Jeff
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ladymc53
Canyon Lake, Texas
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Joined: 04/20/2007
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Always remember - safety first. Sway bars would be a must for me, but I have a 5'er, not a TT. If you're going to be using it for occasional use and not too far from home they may not be necessary, but I may be wrong.
Read your manuals well and be prepared for mistakes - we all make them because there's so many different things to remember. Just make wide turns, make SURE youc an see the tires of the trailer in your mirrors and make SLOW turns. Oh yeah, one more thing - HAVE A BALL! Welcome aboard!
Bill & Linda
Ladymc & Shuttlebird
2008 Silver Dodge Diesel Dually 3500 - "The Silver Bullet"
Towing 1998 35 ft. Newmar 5th wheel
20K Husky Hitch & Blue Ox Bedsaver
Handheld Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS AND Sat. in dash mounted GPS in the truck
READY TO ROLL!
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DutchmenSport
Indiana
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Joined: 10/10/2006
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Um, .... I'm driving a 1 ton 3500 diesel dually towing a trailer that's less than 6000 pounds! I still use weight distribution bars and a friction sway control. I wouldn't think of getting on the road without both hooked up .... always!
DutchmenSport
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo
Century Truck Cap Commercial /Toolboxes
Northeast Outfitters Canoe
2006 Keystone Springdale Model 263DBL
Weight 4985, Carrying Capacity 2575, Hitch 560, Length 30'
Width 8', Height 10' 6"
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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IMO WD is GOOD, sway control is MUST. Both can be had together in Equal-i-zer or Reese Dual Cam.
IMO sway control is a good idea because someday you may be coming fast down a hill, in a crosswind, when a big semi goes by really fast. Friends of ours had towed for years without sway control when above happened to them. Fortunately nobody was coming other way as they lost it and rolled everything several times. TT and TV totaled, pieces blocked both lanes, but no permanent injuries.
If sway starts you have only a few seconds to remember NOT to touch the TV brake, but to use the override on the brake controller to straighten the whole mess out. Yes that will always work and stop any sway if you are quick enough, but I don't believe in tempting the Gods.
Be careful out there.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
1999 Mercedes ML320 TV
2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded)
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories.
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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TUMBLEWEED
CA
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Joined: 04/18/2003
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We have no regrets with our purchase of an equalizer hitch and anti sway bars. Couldn't imagine driving without both. Makes a big difference down hills and in the wind. Worth the money, decreases my husband's stress while driving.
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amxpress
Clayton, NC
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Joined: 04/14/2007
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One good thing about this Forum is that the information given can be very beneficial.
My advise would be to step up to the pump and install a hitch such as an Equal-i-zer. Your towing experience will be much more enjoyable (and safer)when you use the proper equipment.
2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab w/6.7 Cummins
2008 Palamino Sabre 31RKTS
Reese 15K Pro Series manual slide
Prodigy
Firestone Air Bags
Travel in peace...leave the M-I-L at home.
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Yeldarb
Omaha, Nebraska
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Joined: 03/07/2008
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Yes to both the WDH and sway bar. They definately make life easier driving down the road and when you talking about your families safety there should be no discussion. Do it...
Brad('67) and Valerie('68) Clements
Alyssa('95)
Samson and Toby
2008 Cherokee Grey Wolf 28BH
1999 Chevy Silverado 5.3 3.73 1500 Z71
(Yes it tows my TT quite nicely thank you  )
Omaha, Nebraska
Camping Nights in 2008 - 29
Our Camping Adventures
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bigred13
Michigan
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Joined: 04/24/2008
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Thanks to all for the good info - it appears that I will be buying a weight distribution hitch and anti-sway as well. With that said - what manufacturer do you recommend?
The TT we purchased has a GVW of 4,750 lbs. Please make recommendations that is appropriate to this weight.
Thanks,
Jeff
* This post was
edited 04/24/08 10:03pm by bigred13 *
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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IMO Equal-i-zer (my favorite) or Reese Dual Cam.
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Joined: 05/27/2005
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I also agree that you should get WD and sway control. We like the Equal-i-zer, but it's the only experience we've had so far with non-weight-bearing hitches. Have heard good things about the Reese Dual Cam as well. Both hitches, I believe, come in different weight ratings (I know ours does). You can buy from the mfg directly, or perhaps a hitch specialist can help out; check out the yellow pages for hitches. We had a hitch installed once at such a place, locally, and were happy with the results.
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