Towing Newb, need some advice
Hi all, new member here, apologies for the long post. Thanks in advance for your help!
Buying a new-to-me camper, a Jayco Jay Feather Sport 165. It's got a GVW of 3500, the tongue weight is high because of batteries (I've been told), maybe 500-600? My TV is a 2007 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab, towing capacity is 6000 or so (then reduced a bit by the topper I have on the bed). The trailer has electric brakes and I'm going to install a Prodigy P2 brake controller. The friend I'm buying the camper from uses a weight distribution hitch rated to 600 lbs TW, with no sway control.
All of this stuff is new to me, I've towed a popup before but not had any weight distribution (or any towing issues). There are so many models, with different price points, and I'm just lost. And no idea whether I need sway control too. My local RV place isn't the greatest, they're small and don't have lots of different brands and aren't always helpful, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can.
Questions:
How do I decide between the different brands and styles?
Do I need sway control, or is it even a "want", or just a waste on a trailer this size? It's a huge trailer to me, but I know in the grand scheme it's pretty small.
I'm not a very handy person, so will likely pay for install so it's done right. How much should that cost?
Lastly, if there's something I'm missing, like if I'm going to overtax my TV quickly, please let me know. Also happy to hear any pointers re how this will be different than towing my popup.
Buying a new-to-me camper, a Jayco Jay Feather Sport 165. It's got a GVW of 3500, the tongue weight is high because of batteries (I've been told), maybe 500-600? My TV is a 2007 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab, towing capacity is 6000 or so (then reduced a bit by the topper I have on the bed). The trailer has electric brakes and I'm going to install a Prodigy P2 brake controller. The friend I'm buying the camper from uses a weight distribution hitch rated to 600 lbs TW, with no sway control.
All of this stuff is new to me, I've towed a popup before but not had any weight distribution (or any towing issues). There are so many models, with different price points, and I'm just lost. And no idea whether I need sway control too. My local RV place isn't the greatest, they're small and don't have lots of different brands and aren't always helpful, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can.
Questions:
How do I decide between the different brands and styles?
Do I need sway control, or is it even a "want", or just a waste on a trailer this size? It's a huge trailer to me, but I know in the grand scheme it's pretty small.
I'm not a very handy person, so will likely pay for install so it's done right. How much should that cost?
Lastly, if there's something I'm missing, like if I'm going to overtax my TV quickly, please let me know. Also happy to hear any pointers re how this will be different than towing my popup.
