benmar
Ottawa, Canada
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Joined: 03/12/2008
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We are new to this forum and based on a lot of research through this forum we bought our first TT from a Canadian company in Ontario, Great Lakes RV. It is a fully equipped 23 feet TT with a front walk-around queen bed. Have yet to take it out, however I do have a question on hitching and unhitching the TT. I had a Reese Pro Series SC hitch installed by the dealer. Using the Reese method of hitching and unhitching is cumbersome.
With the Reese method you essentially need to keep the TV and the TT connected and use the jack to raise the tongue of the TT as much as 6 to 8 inches. However, the TV is still connected, so you essentially also raise the rear of the TV.
I basically unhook the TT and raise the tongue of the TT enough to move the TV forward about 3 inching or so (the torsion bars are still in their brackets on the tongue of the TT. Then I lower the tongue of the trailer to release the tension in the torsion bars allowing me to remove them.
It seems a very simple and less cumbersome approach, does anyone see a problem with this approach???
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V10 man
Mesa, AZ
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Joined: 06/15/2001
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What ever works for you. Get a power jack and it will be alot easier. 
2007 Dodge 6.7 Cummins, 6sp auto, Quad cab, long bed, white, Prodigy
2009 Shockwave T29FBSP, white & blue, tan interior, 4000W Onan, Reese Dual Cam 15K/1,500.
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LeeShearer
Royersford, PA
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Joined: 01/25/2006
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Your method may not work hitching and unhitching at an angle.
2005 Fleetwood Resort EXT 25SB
1999 Chevy K3500 short bed dually
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Capital J
Ottawa, ON
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Joined: 11/18/2004
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I highly recommend you follow the manufacturers procedure.
It seems to me if you uncouple, raise the trailer (increasing the stress on the bars) and then move the TV ...... you're creating a formula for disaster.
The standard method is not difficult at all. Hitching and unhitching are exactly the same, but reversed. Raising the coupled hitch to install or remove the bars is easy, even without a power jack.
You don't have to raise the coupler 6 to 8 inches. Just a few turns on the jack to take the pressure off the bars! Always use the 'pipe' gizzmo that came with the hitch to release the chains.
Stay safe.
John
2002 GMC Sierra Z71 5.3 3.73 rear end
2008 Rockwood 2603S
Reese Dual Cam
Prodigy Brake Controller
TomTom GO-910 GPS
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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If you DON'T raise the trailer and back of the TV when hitching up you're not transferring enough weight to make the spring bars work correctly so you'd be as well off just leaving them at home. Without the CORRECT amount of tension on the bars they're just extra weight.
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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jlee8657
Olive Branch, MS
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Joined: 04/05/2008
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Benmar. I have the Reese Pro Series Sc Hitch and to be honest with you it is VERY easy to use if following the manufacturers instructions. Once I get the Ball locked in the coupler typically it only takes a couple of cranks up and the bars will fit nicely into the correct spot. When hitching up to the trailer it only takes about 3 minutes and very little work. My best advice is to do it a couple of times and you will be a pro in no time.
* This post was
edited 04/29/08 09:51pm by jlee8657 *
"Enjoying life one sit at a time"
2008 Keystone Springdale 29BHS SSR
2006 2500HD Dodge Ram Lonestar
Me (28), DW (35), 2 Great kids (13&7)
Our Little Mini Schnauzer
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kirk37r
Millville, New Jersey
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Joined: 09/23/2007
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Totally agree with Skip. You are flirting with A disaster the way you are doing this.
The proper way is to couple raise and set wd bars.
Plus it is so much safer. I saw first hand what A bar can do to someone's leg when they lost the grip on it while trying to pull the WD snaps with all the tongue weight on them. NOT PRETTY!!!
If you don't have A electric tongue jack you don't know what your missing, Its got to be the best mod you can make to you TT.
Happy Camping!!!!!
2007 Wilderness Yukon 300RLS TT
2007 Silverado 1500 5.3 4X4 Extended Cab, Z71 & Z85
2008 Tahoe LS
Reese WDH W/Dual Cam, Prodigy Brake controller
Putnam XDR
Carol & Kirk Sometimes 3 Grandkids
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robbie69
wauconda, il usa
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Joined: 02/22/2004
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2nd on the ele tongue jack
only way to go
2004 silverado 2500HD crew cab 4x4 long bed 8.1L gas hog
2006 skyline nomad 3260 platium edition, prodigy, reese dual cam
1 very part time camping son and 3 full time camping, 4 legged fur balls
1 SU (spousal unit) who loves rv'in as much or more than me
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cremevette
NE Ohio
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Joined: 09/27/2004
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I'll 3rd the power jack! I have the Pro Series and it's a breeze putting it on when you don't have to crank.
Claudia
2007 Keystone Springdale 266 RELLGL - The Brownie Bungalow
2005 Silverado 2500HD, 6.0 - The Mammoth
Nights in 2007 - 30
Nights in 2008 - 48
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