Towing speeds with leveling / sway bar set up?

SG223 wrote:
Thanks everyone - I may look at the fifth wheel toy haulers, my impression was that taking the hitch in and out was a pain in the ass though. Between races, we haul the bikes in the truck to the practice tracks, so unless there is a good unit that is easy to remove / install, I think I need to stick with a TT toy hauler. I appreciate everyone's comments on speed, and I wish I could take a more leasurely approach to the drive, but I'm just not wired right.

Definitely need to do some more homework on this before I pull the trigger on the TT though, as well as the hitch set up.

Thanks again to all of you for taking the time to respond, really appreciate it.

Ha, so I'm not the only one that looks at the trip time on google and goes "No way. I can beat that. I'm not running THAT heavy..."

Thanks everyone - I may look at the fifth wheel toy haulers, my impression was that taking the hitch in and out was a pain in the ass though. Between races, we haul the bikes in the truck to the practice tracks, so unless there is a good unit that is easy to remove / install, I think I need to stick with a TT toy hauler. I appreciate everyone's comments on speed, and I wish I could take a more leasurely approach to the drive, but I'm just not wired right.

Definitely need to do some more homework on this before I pull the trigger on the TT though, as well as the hitch set up.

Thanks again to all of you for taking the time to respond, really appreciate it.

Considering you're setting up a race trailer, I would say you will likely be heavier than you think you will be. Being a retired motorcycle racer myself, I do understand the desire to roll at higher speeds, both coming and going. Having said all that, since you will be pulling with a very adequate truck, I would buy and setup a gooseneck trailer.
I have four trailers, two bumper pull and two gooseneck, from 4K pounds to 15K pounds. Hands down, for high speed travel in all wind conditions, the goosenecks pull nicer.

Fit out your trailer with quality LT tires for more reliable operation. When running fast, and late, you really don't want to be dinkin' around at the side of the road changing a destroyed tire.

I'm old school and still use the Eaz-lift bars and have no problem with the current trailer at 70MPH. Its all about how properly everything is setup. Also my tires that came stock on the Puma said 75 MPH max on the side along with every other trailer brand I was considering.

I'll be odd man out and say that 70-80mph down the open freeway in good conditions hurts nothing but your wallet at the pumps.
You have the rig to do it (unless its a F350 gasser, then you'll struggle with 70mph and that big a trailer and more $ at the pumps).
Talking ideal conditions, flat open road, no big X winds.
I don't think it will be as big a leap as you think coming from a moho and a trailer.
Unless you have a particular reason for a TT toyhauler, IMO toy haulers are better served in a 5ver. They typically have a lot more empty tongue weight to counter balance the max "toy" weight.
Depending on the size garage, that could easily be a 1200lb SxS and another 500lbs of bikes, whereas you'll have 2-3? race bikes. Much lighter in the back = more tongue or pin weight.
Plus you get more "home" for the same overall length going down the road, better handling, no messing with wd/sway hitches.

I use the Blue Ox Sway Pro towing my 10K TH at the speed limits which vary.

Give yourself enough tongue weight and you won't have any sway.

Have fun.

Dealerships always push the brand they have a deal with/that brings them the most profit. If you really want honest input from them, go ask one of the actual install techs their opinion on them

As for speeds, im part of the slow puller crowd. 65mph on open road is all i will ever do, I dont see a need to drive fast/rush to get where im going. Its a relaxing camping trip after all

When im on a long haul i usually get in line with an 18wheeler doing about the same speed and let them break wind for me. And quite often i see the same speeding campers going past me 3 or 4 times because they seem to stop more often at the faster rate of travel

The real problem comes when you have to make a panic stop at 70MPH vs 55MPH.

Talk about swapping all over the place...a jack knifed trailer ain't pretty.

400 miles at 70 MPH is 6 hours
400 miles at 55 MPH is 7 hours

Not to mention extra wear and tear on your tow vehicle and trailer

There was a study done many years ago which showed how many more times a brake pedal was pushed on a long distance trip at speed vs. driving the speed limit. It was quite a difference.

I saw a TT pulled over on a curvy downhill with the fresh water tank laying on the side of the road. It had broken out of the side of the trailer. The guy had passed me at unsafe speed going around the curves.

Just a reminder, that most ST trailer tires are rated at 65MPH. You may want to consider that.

I've never use a "Husky" WD system, but I have used a standard Reese with a separate Sway Bar, and now an Equal-i-zer 4 point. Between the 2 of these, I like the Equal-i-zer much more.

The Husky is similar to the Equal-i-zer, but looks like it has more parts to it and is much more complicated. I have no clue what the difference is in price.

I tow a 35 1/2 foot TT (bumper pull) with a 3500 diesel duly (3 years now with this trailer), and the towing has been flawless.

I very seldom get over 60 mph and avoid interstates as much as possible. The slower driving speed is much more enjoyable and the fuel mileage is much better. (I usually drive the given speed limit, except on interstates, and then I still like to stick to 60-65 mph). Of course, when we travel, we're not in a hurry or have to be at the destination by a specific time either.

I have hard feelings about towing a trailer at high speeds. Maybe I've become a bit too cautious in my older age, but I'd rather drive a bit slower and keep 100% control of the rig, than run the risk of crashing $100,000 of equipment and the possibility of getting mamed the rest of my life or my wife's life. (Death does not bother me, but getting mamed does! so I've officially joined the "old farts group now.")

Speed is a factor, and if speed is important to you, than I also would HIGHLY recommend going with a 5er instead of a TT. A well matched truck with a 5er with the correct 5er hitch will give you the ability to travel at higher speeds with better confidence.

You've got to remember, towing that utility trailer with a motor home is a far different experience than towing with a pick-up truck. A motor home may weigh several thousands of pounds, much more, than a pick-up truck. The shere weight of the motor home provides stability to the lighter weight utility trailer.

Switch the weights, where the trailer is several times heavier than the tow vehicle, and you can immediately see why a heavy trailer can cause havoc.

Still, a well matched travel trailer and pick-up with the right hitch set-up, and you should still be able to tow at high rates of speed. But if speed was the "Prime Directive" in my choice, I'd feel much better doing it with a 5er set up.