New to the forums and to rv'ing in general. So I am in the process of purchasing up my first travel trailer. It's a Jayco Jay Flight SLX 264BH. It is relatively lightweight (4,615 unloaded). My tow vehicle is a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 with the hemi (9,500 towing capacity). I'm not new to towing in general, I have towed loaded car trailers upward of 6k lbs with out a problem for some long distances. I know a travel trailer is a different animal due to the ability for the sides to catch wind. I have been reading a lot on sway control and weight distribution and I'm confused as to what I really need. I see relatively inexpensive sway control options that basically look like pistons, and then there are total weight distribution options which include sway control. My question is do I need weight distribution? Is this something I should wait until I load the trail on the truck to make the decision (see how low the rear drops)? I am picking the trailer up about 4 hrs from my house, so there will be a little bit of a drive home without any sort of sway control device if I don't add it first. Thanks all for your help and I look forward to many years of enjoyment from my TT.

For something that light I would go with something like thisand this

troubledwaters wrote:For something that light I would go with something like ***Link Removed***and ***Link Removed***So you think weight distribution is needed along with sway control?

Would this be ok? I think the tongue weight is fine as the tongue weight of the TT is only 485 lbs and the linked item has a capacity of 1000. Can't post a link due to post count.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005SB6S3Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

For your considered combination of Tow Vehicle and Trailer, I think the Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch system is a good choice for you. I prefer the Equal-i-zer 4 point, but your combination is not that heavy. Andersen hitches are designed for lighter weight tow combinations. If and when you decide to step up to a heavier trailer, you will need to get a heavier hitch system. For your initial purchase, this is a good option and will not break-the-bank. Andersen, click here. Notice Andersen is spelled with an 'e' and not an 'a'.I think you will never regret getting a WD system, but you may have regrets if you don't.

"My question is do I need weight distribution?"4,615 unloaded because you have weighed it? Or that's what the manufacturer said? If it is 4,615 unloaded you'll be 6,200 or so wet and loaded. Yes, shift wome weight back to the TV front wheels with a WDH. You'll stop better for one. Does your Dodge have any sway control through the trailer braking? If so, that system may be enough.

New to RV'ing...Towing question | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

myredracer
Explorer II
Sep 11, 2017
As mentioned a few times now, you MUST have a WDH based on the receiver rating which is typically 500 lbs max without a WDH ("weight carrying" rating.

Another Reese DC fan here. I just love it's proactive self-centering action. But... You have to be prepared to fiddle with it to get it dialed in.

An Equal-i-zer 4 pt . (or maybe just E2) or Blu Ox Sway Pro might be a good choice.

Besides deciding you need a WDH, it's important to adjust it properly by measuring before and after front fender heights. See the sticky in the towing forum for excellent info.

To minimize sway and get better handling: If you have P rated tires on the truck, upgrade to LT type. Run the trailer tires at max. sidewall pressure (50 psi assuming LRC) - this should be done regardless though to reduce chances of a blowout. Run the truck tires at higher than what your door pillar sticker says. Also set the trailer level to slightly nose down. These all work together to give you the most out of your overall package of TT & TV.

It's also always a good idea to go to a scale with the TT & truck fully loaded for camping and get your truck's actual max. payload capacity, the tongue weight and the trailer's GVW.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Sep 07, 2017
Yes you do. 4600lb dry will be around 6000lbs loaded for a trip. tongue weight of 12% would be 750lbs. you will want a WD system with 800lb bars. I would also go with one with built in sway control. I prefer the Reese Dual Cam system. I wouldn't run any other system on my trailer.
atwowheelguy
Explorer
Sep 07, 2017
The "brochure" Unloaded Vehicle Weight on my toy hauler camper was 4650.
The "as built" UVW yellow sticker weight was 5025.
The "ready to camp" weight with water is 6820, including 500 lbs. of dirt bikes, with 1000 tongue weight.
It adds up in a hurry.

As you can see here, 400 lbs. was lifted from the steer axle. The WDH returned 260 lbs. to the front. Without the WDH, the drive axle was overloaded by 230 lbs. With the WDH, the drive axle was 170 lbs. under the limit.

What's the payload on your truck?
RinconVTR
Explorer
Sep 01, 2017
Right to the point...

YES. You need a Weight Distributing hitch. Your loaded tongue weight will be over 500lbs, without a doubt. And weight distribution is critical for stable towing.

Equalizer & E2 are great. Reese and BlueOx are as good. Hensley and propride are top of the food chain but for your weight and length trailer...not "needed" and they are difficult to connect.

Backing up with any of the above mentioned WDH option will never require any sort disconnect.
BarneyS
Explorer III
Aug 30, 2017
I used a DrawTite hitch with a friction sway bar for about 6 or 8 years before purchasing my Hensley. I never once had to disconnect the sway bar when backing up into a campsite or our home driveway. If the bar is installed correctly it should not be necessary.

Have someone walk alongside as you back tightly in both directions. Watch for the bar reaching the ends of its' travel especially in a contracted position. If it hits then it can bend the bar.

Another place to watch is if the bar is hitting the coupler when turning. This also can bend the bar. If either happens then I would disconnect it when backing.
Barney
AJR
Explorer
Aug 30, 2017
Contrary to other opinions. I dragged a heavy Arctic Fox 22H to AK, ME, FL & OR using an old Reese WDH and Reese friction sway bar. I never ever disconnected the sway bar till I was removing the hitch bars. Never had a problem with the hitch or sway control backing up into some sites that were 90 degrees from the road.
bailer6334
Explorer
Aug 30, 2017
Something to also consider. Some WDH with sway controls require you to disconnect the sway control bar when backing up.
dieseldogpi
Explorer
Aug 25, 2017
jdrinkh2o wrote:
I have the 1200# version of the EAZ lift WD hitch you are asking about. My TT is around 6500# loaded and I am puling it with a 2014 Ram 2500. IT pulls wonderfully. My rig is level going down the road and get very little sway even when passed by a semi. Previously i was trying to pull it with a 2014 Ford Expedition. Not enough suspension to handle that big of a TT. pulled me all over the road, the Ram 2500 does great. Definitely invest in the WD hitch, you will not regret it.

Great, thanks so much for the feedback. Hopefully my 1500 will handle it as well as your 2500. Thanks again!
jdrinkh2o
Explorer
Aug 24, 2017
I have the 1200# version of the EAZ lift WD hitch you are asking about. My TT is around 6500# loaded and I am puling it with a 2014 Ram 2500. IT pulls wonderfully. My rig is level going down the road and get very little sway even when passed by a semi. Previously i was trying to pull it with a 2014 Ford Expedition. Not enough suspension to handle that big of a TT. pulled me all over the road, the Ram 2500 does great. Definitely invest in the WD hitch, you will not regret it.
bob213
Explorer
Aug 24, 2017
Equalizer or Reese dual cam. Spend the money once and be done.