trailernovice
Mission TX
Senior Member
Joined: 10/25/2010
View Profile
 Offline
|
Just got a w/d hitch--reese, with sway control...few 'do i have to be an olympic weightlifter' questions:
1.) that shank thing is enormous...not sure I want to be manhandling it every other weekend...do folks generally leave those in the truck's receiver? If so, do you lock it? If it's kept on and locked with a locking pin, recommendations/stickies for one with a capacity of around 7500 lbs?
2.) per the installer, if the clamp things are undone with pressure on 'em, they can snap down so hard it'll break your knee...understand the only way to relieve pressure on the w/d is to crank the whole deal up (ball connected/lifting both truck and trailer) all the way up...questions: a.) is it truly necessary to crank ALL the way up? The new TT has a tongue weight considerably higher than our previous, and those last 20 cranks or so are a bear b.) how many folks use an electric tongue jack to have a machine to the work? is this a do-it-yourself project, or best left to camping world? -- again, would appreciate recommendations/clickies
Glenn and Toni
2011 Palomino Puma 25BH
2012 Tundra double cab 4.6 V8 with tow package
Reese round bar w/d with sway control
|
ArcticDodge
Sammamish, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/02/2005
View Profile
|
I have a locking pin secruing the hitch head.
You do not have to crank the tounge jack all the way up to the top. You only need to crank it up enough to connect / disconnect the bars. I have an electric jack that makes it easier and I'd rather not go back to a manual.
2009 Komfort 256TS
2001 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 4x4 Cummins DRW
2005 Dodge Durango Limited AWD HEMI
2001 Sebring Convertible
1995 Miata M-Edition
2005 DRZ400
1 Wife  2 Boys UW & Bellevue College
1 Trixie (Bichon Frise)
Only 23 years to retirement!!!!
|
shakyjay
California
Senior Member
Joined: 11/10/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
The shank is heavy so while camping I usually leave it in. I do take it out at home. Since I broke my arm I had to learn how to do this one handed and I am no youngster. Well into and almost out of my 50's. I still hand crank and as others have said you don't have to go that high. I have to admit though after breaking my arm I am seriously considering an electric jack. Might be time to start making life a little easier.
2007 Rockwood 8315SS
2004 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax Diesel
1999 Dodge 1500 5.9L Gas
|
Sandia Man
Rio Rancho, NM
Senior Member
Joined: 08/09/2008
View Profile
|
IMO, one of the best mods for a TT is an electric tongue jack and they are very easy to install.
|
Terryallan
Foothills NC
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Most leave the hitch in while camping. But remove it while at home. You do not want that thing sticking out the back 24 / 7. Sooner or later. Either YOU will put it thru something, or someone else will put it thru their grill.
Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
04 F150, 5.4, Lariat SuperCab
Lazy Campers
|
|
|
mosseater
Dillsburg, PA
Senior Member
Joined: 10/19/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Everything you say is true. Yes, the shank is heavy. Yes, you can let it in the receiver, though there may be a price for it. People running into it (including you) or theft. No, you don't have to crank the tongue up the "whole way" just to un-do the lathes, but the higher you go the easier it is. I use the bar supplied to make it easier and just crank 15 or so usually. You get the feel for it after a while. I don't know your age or physical ability, and this isn't intended as a flip remark or dig, but I consider it part of my upkeep program. I'll be 50 next month and life isn't getting any easier, but I'm fighting it tooth and nail. I'm gonna keep doing it as long as I can do it. Use it or lose it. There are ways to reduce the impact on the body, but overall, it's a part of camping with a tow behind.
"It`s not important that you know all the answers, it`s only important to know where to get all the answers" Arone Kleamyck
"...An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." Col. Jeff Cooper
Sunset Creek 298 BH
|
Sillybugs2
Washington
Senior Member
Joined: 08/03/2010
View Profile
Offline
|
We keep ours in all the time.
2010 Dutchmen Sport 27B
2001 F150 Supercab 4x4
 (Custom).jpg)
|
xteacher
Newnan, GA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/30/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
We take ours out everytime we unhitch, including at the campground. I don't want anyone walking off with it. We don't have a lock for it.
Beth ('57)
DH ('55)
Fur Kids: Potsie (poodle), Maddie (westie mix), and Dempsey (boxer)
2012 Aliner Classic
2010 Nissan Pathfinder
|
JayWalker2009
I'm not really a
Senior Member
Joined: 08/11/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Sandia Man wrote:IMO, one of the best mods for a TT is an electric tongue jack and they are very easy to install.
I agree. I am not familiar with the reese hitch, but I do know that the electric tongue jack was one of the single most useful mods I've ever put on the TT.
* This post was
edited 08/30/11 08:41pm by JayWalker2009 *
|
ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 06/22/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
I try to get as much tension as possible off the bars. (Electric jack of course!) the reason is SAFETY. If you've ever been around a springbar and snap up bracket extension bar that got away from someone while under tension, you'll know why!. Serious injury or even death could be the end result.
At a minimum I make sure the tension is something I can handle with one hand and then I use two hands, make sure my body is out of the way of the extension rod.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
|
|
|
