First time travel trailer towing question

georgiadave wrote:
I've just bought a 2015 skyline retro 188s I have a 1994 f150 with a tow package 300 inline 6 auto, the camper weighs 3050 the gvwr 3850 I pulled it home with a regular receiver I was going to put sway control on it by welding the plate to my receiver, but after talking with a friend at work with a 27' 7500# camper he said I needed a receiver that you can put leveling bars and sway control on. I mainly camp 20-50 miles from home, I have a pup but once a year I usually go 100-200 miles for a week of relaxation mine is an ultra light and I do want to be safe as you can tell be me owning my truck for 21 years so do I need this set up or will the regular receiver with sway control be sufficient Thanks

You'll get a wide range of input on this subject... some don't feel comfortable towing anything without using a massive Peterbuilt tractor, others use more reasonable conveyances like Jeeps, VW's, etc.

My camper sounds similar in weight to yours, but hard to say where the tongue weight is at. The first 8000 miles I spent with my camper, I towed it with a Subaru Outback, H6 engine, and friction sway control. It was great around here in flatland Michigan, and I even went as far west as the Black Hills with it.

For my trip to Alaska, I upgraded to a 1500 Ram with a tow package. I don't bother with WDH. I hook up the friction bar if it's windy or if I'll be on freeways / expressways. I just set the trailer on its ball, plug in the wires, chains, brake cable and off I go. This setup has worked for the past 18000 miles for me.

If I were upgrading to a much larger trailer that exceeded the 700# rating on my hitch, I would consider WDH... but as it's just me using the trailer and I'm happy with my 20 footer, I don't anticipate an upgrade anytime soon.

Granted I'm a newbie at this compared to folks that have driven millions of miles over the past century. these are just my opinions about what works for me. I don't tend to worry about things.

I would only tow with a WDH the safety of my family is important. The only wreck I've been in while towing happened 6 miles from my home, lady crossed in front and caught the front bumper of my truck. Panic stop and everything stayed as straight as can be.

You never know when or where it will happen.

How much does the tongue of the trailer weigh and how much weight can you put on the hitch of the truck? Find those numbers and you will have your answer.

You need a weight distributing hitch (WDH). Equal-I-Zer make the best one (IMO). It incorporates the WDH and sway control all into a single unit. You moy not tow far, but for safety you still need to have the necessary control that a WDH and sway bars provide.