swaying

Welcome to this portal !

First...I do NOT advise 'sure you can', 'no you can not', but provide
the metrics to make up our own mind using the HOW2's below

Second, suggest you go out and actually weigh your setup both empty
and fully loaded...axle by axle. That is the only way to know where
you are in reference to your TV's specifications

Then plug in your weights into the diagram below and then reference
your TV's specifications.

On specifications, limits, ratings, etc provided by your TV's OEM...
first decide if you believe in them or not.

If not, the do whatever and know that you have taken the OEM's off the
warranty hook and liability hook

If yes, then read up and learn the metrics HOW2 figure it out. Get
many datum's, as I don't follow every bit of advice I'll get on these
freebie forums/portals

There is a recent thread from another newbie who has gotten several
points of advice on HOW2 change the various adjustments (dials and knobs)
without understanding and knowing what the goal is

Back on specifications, limits, ratings from your OEM...they are for
safety, longevity and liability for the whole setup. Designed for the
worst day out there when Mr Murphy crosses your path. Normally only
happens to the other guy, but it might your day, that day...

Manhandling the whole setup during that worst day. Either you have it
spot on, or not. No time to go back to the store for bigger/better/etc
or re-setup.

The ultimate goal is to setup the whole thing so that the TV is oriented
as the OEM says. Some say even drop, some say return the front height
to within 1/2" of an empty TV, etc, etc

Trailer tongue should be level at it's highest pointing...to pointing
slightly down. Pointing higher than level has greater chances of the
trailer behaving badly...it will not follow as well

I've finally towed with an HA and say it's okay, but did NOT solve
that church members main issue...a half ton towing too long and too
heavy a trailer. It did snub most of the potential sway, but it felt
like it was always 'trying' to sway. You'll understand after a few
thousand miles

His 'half ton' is the small one...of the three classes withing the
half ton class. His was +6K GVWR. Next is the +7K GVWR and what I call
the fake half ton...+8K GVWR

Yes, the trailer salesman told him that his TV could easily tow it
and is also rated for it...

Here is the quote from that thread and the diagram showing you how
the whole system looks like in graphical form and that the 'ratings'
are not absolute...meaning that they are factored by other ratings...

Nervous Nelly Newbie

BenK wrote:
Welcome to the Portal!!!

So much depends...and you have lots to read up on. This portal (rv.net,
woodalls.com, etc) is a good one...but learn to listen to the advice
that sounds good to you AND decide if you believe in the specializations,
ratings system, etc

If not, then do whatever you wish, but know that doing that will
relieve the OEMs from the hook (warranty and liability)

If yes, then read and learn HOW2 on sizing to your TV's ratings, the
brake controller, and tons of ETC...a bit academic since you have
already purchased the setup, but important for you to proceed. Suggest
still gathering the specifications for both your TV and Trailer and
going out to actually weigh the whole setup (fully loaded and empty)

Depends...because the WD spring bars (if you have them) and the amount
of weight transferred (WD'd...weight distributed) needs to be in the
correct 'range'

The orientation of the trailers tongue should be level at it's highest
pointing, to slightly down...when the WD adjustments are in the correct
range

Yours is a very, very common question and here is a good stating
point for you:

New member with some confusion

BenK wrote:
Welcome to the portal !

First note that I do NOT say no you can't, nor sure you can...because
there is only one person responsible for the setup...the driver and
that might not be the OP, but their partner or whomever is driving

So provide the metrics on HOW2...

There are many oblique thoughts and beliefs on the ratings system. From
what is 'dry' to what is 'curb' to what is the actual 'payload/cargo', etc

Second, decide if you believe in the ratings system or not

If not, then do whatever, but know that you have taken the OEM off both
the warranty and liability hook

If yes, then read up and learn HOW2 figure it out

Simple math, but requires actual weights and why some have suggested
going out and actually weighing your setup (TV & trailer) axle by axle

Below is how the ratings system looks like in graphical form and another
note: folks take one of those ratings out of context. Either without
regard to the interdependence's of other ratings as either prerequisites
or as an absolute

It is 'system' and everything plays together in a give and take way
Meaning that if you wish to take the MTWR (max tow weight rating)...then
you have to give up loading up the TV to it's GVWR and reduce the
TV's weight


This guy didn't have any problems towing, other than he 'thinks' the
orientation is not right...the advisers has him buying parts and
changing the various adjustments (knobs) without knowing the goal



howmuchcanitow howmuchshoulditow