Well let me start out by saying hi to everyone, I am from Round Lake Beach, IL (just northwest of chicago) and am just getting into camping. My wife and I took our first camping trip 2 weeks ago after buying a Eureka Copper Canyon tent which we love. Had a great time except for the pesky coon that got into our tent on the first night.
Well now we have the itch to go camping more. We have 2 dogs (Husky and a Choco Lab) and want to upgrade to some more room and security for all of us and we are now looking at a TT. We went to a local dealer that had some good deals but then went to a major dealer in the area and they have some nice trailers for beginners that cost about $10k, Here is the trailer we are currently looking at Clicky which would be great for us. So my first question is, is that a good buy or should I look elsewhere.
Now I am going to haul it with a 03 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L 4x4, I have a hitch on it, just need the ball and such. I was asking the salesman about the trailer swaying on the road and he pointed me to these 2 different types of sway controls, 1 which is friction then the other he kind of lost me on but it does not work off friction. Which he said was better but costs about $500 more. So my other question is since I pretty much have a barebones hitch and need to add some items to it, what do I need and what do I not need?
Once again hello to everyone and I am happy to join this site and will see you around the forums.
In order do give you accurate answers to your question about towing, we need more info about your truck.
You say barebones hitch, does that mean the hitch was added, or, did the truck come from factory with a towing package?
Do you know what the truck's rated for towing and payload?
Does it have an auxillary transmission cooler or brake controller?
There may be more questions coming from other posters.
If you would like, maybe we could get together for you to look at my setup, then you could decide what you need to add to the truck. Send me a PM.
I figured you would need more info about the truck after reading another post on here and will get it posted as soon as i can. The hitch that is on there is factory installed, not sure if it was ever used to haul anything. No idea about the aux transmission or brake contoller, where do I find that? Would love to get together, I work pretty close to park city since I am active duty navy, also noticed you are a retired Master Chief. Great to see some people from the military on here.
The link doesn't give specs for the trailer, but at 18ft it shouldn't weigh more than what your 1/2 Dodge can tow. It looks like you have plenty of TV for that trailer. The dealer was probably showing you a friction sway control device and something like the Reese dual cam that uses sway bars. I would for sure spend the extra money and buy the better hitch. They can put this in the financing so it's a couple bucks per month and well worth your saftey. If your truck has a factory tow package you should have a auto trans cooler. Look under your truck at the transmission, you should see two 1/4" lines running up to the front to what looks like a AC condensor, it will have tubes and lots of fins on it. You will also need to add a brake control device. This tells the TT brakes to activate when you push on the brake pedal in the TV. The Prodigy is a favorite unit on this forum and can be had for under $100. I would buy and install this myself as it is one less way for the dealer to rip you off.
If your truck doesn't have a auto transmission temp gauge I would have one added. You can buy the gauge for about $100 and install it yourself, or any trans shop can install one for you for another $100, it is important to keep an eye on on trans temps when towing with a auto trans. Feel free to PM me with any ?
NCH
2000 Ford F350 4X4 PSD,CC, DRW
4:10's, BTM Muffler, Isspro Gauges,
Coolant Filter,CCV Mod
FTVB , Ford AIS
6.0 Cooler,SCT2 W/DP's 40 tow & 80 econo,Zoodad mod
2005 Keystone Hornet 30BHSS
Reese Dual Cam
Family of 4 saved by Grace!!! MY TRUCK OUR TRAILER
Personally and since you are just getting into this life style, I would strongly suggest that you look at a used unit. The way prices have dropped in the last six months you should be able to get a similar used trailer for probably half of that price. Why not let someone else eat the depreciation?
Well looked up the towing capacity on my truck which is 8500lbs or so, tongue weight was close to 500lbs, so no issue with hauling the TT since it weighs around 4200lbs.
Looked up the brake controller and seems real easy to install which I will just do it myself but the transmission gauge is a little out of my league, I am a jet engine mechanic and nowhere near an electrician, so I will pay somebody to do it. As for hopping on the deal it looks like this weekend we will own it, I have looked at some used models but for only a few grand more I can have a brand new one with a warranty and piece of mind.
What you have on your truck is a receiver, now you will need a hitch. I recommend the Equal-i-zer hitch shown here at rvwholsalers for $449. Ouch the price just went up, I bought one a few weeks ago for $399 and free shipping.
Make sure you get the correct weight rating. Take your published hitch weight and add two hundred pounds or so for propane, water, batteries, and other stuff.
Tim
"Okay, I admit it, the only thing I'm really good at is being me."
Warfire80 wrote: Well looked up the towing capacity on my truck which is 8500lbs or so, tongue weight was close to 500lbs, so no issue with hauling the TT since it weighs around 4200lbs.
Looked up the brake controller and seems real easy to install which I will just do it myself but the transmission gauge is a little out of my league, I am a jet engine mechanic and nowhere near an electrician, so I will pay somebody to do it. As for hopping on the deal it looks like this weekend we will own it, I have looked at some used models but for only a few grand more I can have a brand new one with a warranty and piece of mind.
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