RE: Towing with Short Bed Pickup
I have a 2006 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab Short bed with a Cummings and I pull a 35' Keystone Cougar which loaded is around 11,300.
My truck is rated at 13,100. Most Toyhauler's I've seen exceed that and I would not recommend going beyond your limit.
I installed a 5th Airborne Sidewinder combo pin box on mine. That resolved all issues with turning and provides a much smoother ride with the airbag in it. I can do a full 90% and never have an issue. Forget the slider, its a pain...I think this is one of the best investments I've ever made although next time I'll just buy a long bed :)
Here's a link to a writeup in Toyhaul magazine: http://www.toyhaulermagazine.com/airborne07.html
I also put a Pacbrake exhaust brake on. I tow thru North Carolina in the mountains, Wisconsin and Northern Michigan and the pacbrake from my point of view is mandatory.
It is like night and day when your headed down a 5% or greater grade.
I also installed an Edge Juice Diesel display/tuner. For managing EGT and keeping an eye on the engine its great.
Good luck, but if you want to haul those big fancy toyhaulers I'd move up to a 1 ton minimun size truck.
Friction Sway Control Bar Installation
I tow a small ATV trailer (2 ATV's drive on, side by side) behind a 35' 5th Wheel. It's legal in Michigan with a Recreational Double endorsement on your license.
Trailer and ATV's combined are 1,250 lbs. 90% of the time I have no issues and the trailer is similar to a snow mobile trailer.
Straight from tongue (not a A-Frame) and the platform tilts to release the ATV's.
Occasionally, I get a little sway. I bought a Reese friction sway control bar because I feel that will elminate what little sway I have however since it is not a A-Frame trailer does anyone know if the angle matters for the effectiveness of the bar on the trailer side?
In other words, do I need to weld an adapter to the trailer to move the trailer side ball out where it would be if it was a A-Frame sytle trailer?
Long winded but figure the details might help!
Bill K.
