Getting used to a longer trailer
At the end of last year we sold our first camper (owned it for less than a year). We started small and saw what worked, what didn't, what we liked, what we didn't. We learned we loved camping and took...
Forum Discussion
We went from a 27 ft (7,000# GVWR) to a 32 foot (10,000# GVWR). Similar to what your size and truck.
As a friendly camper pointing this out, a single anti sway bar setup is not right on this length trailer. Consider adding a second left hand friction bar if the hitch head will allow it or change out the entire WD hitch. Equal-I-zer or Reese DC with a trunnion bar WD hitch will both work on that setup.
I saw in your other post, I could see 8 lug wheels which means 3/4 or 1 ton SRW truck. That heavier suspension, stiffer tires and your longer wheelbase is a big plus factor. But it needs the help of a good WD setup and the added insurance of an effective for the size camper anti-sway system for when the right (wrong actually) sway conditions rear their ugly head.
You have received a lot of good comments. I will not repeat them but I will add 2 that I did not see.
Backing into the campsite. I do not know if your Dodge has 4 wheel drive or not. My F350 does and allows me to turn sharper. The biggest backing up issue I had learning was hitting the site pad with the camper tires. I was too short or long. After much frustration I figured it out.
I needed to drive 8 feet past the pad from the downstream end of the pad to the back tire on the camper. Hug the site side of the road. Then do a full crank on the steering wheel and back up slow, she goes right in where it needs to everytime now. You can sort this out maybe even in an empty parking lot with lines on it. You have to figure out the combo of your truck turning radius, the pivot of the camper where the axles are and how far past the pad you need to start before backing up. Memorize that distance and how it looks in the mirror. When we back in at night, the wife shines a flashlight straight down on the ground at the downstream edge of the pad to the road. I need to see the marker.
At gas stations, stay a good distance from the pumps. 3 feet sounds like a lot but with a rig this size it can save you a lot. This room allows you to better turn getting out of the pump area. If you are too close, your gonna hit something when you swing out.
In time you will master all this. Another good excuse to go camping more. Dad needs to practice!
Good luck with your new camper.
Hope this helps
John
As a friendly camper pointing this out, a single anti sway bar setup is not right on this length trailer. Consider adding a second left hand friction bar if the hitch head will allow it or change out the entire WD hitch. Equal-I-zer or Reese DC with a trunnion bar WD hitch will both work on that setup.
I saw in your other post, I could see 8 lug wheels which means 3/4 or 1 ton SRW truck. That heavier suspension, stiffer tires and your longer wheelbase is a big plus factor. But it needs the help of a good WD setup and the added insurance of an effective for the size camper anti-sway system for when the right (wrong actually) sway conditions rear their ugly head.
You have received a lot of good comments. I will not repeat them but I will add 2 that I did not see.
Backing into the campsite. I do not know if your Dodge has 4 wheel drive or not. My F350 does and allows me to turn sharper. The biggest backing up issue I had learning was hitting the site pad with the camper tires. I was too short or long. After much frustration I figured it out.
I needed to drive 8 feet past the pad from the downstream end of the pad to the back tire on the camper. Hug the site side of the road. Then do a full crank on the steering wheel and back up slow, she goes right in where it needs to everytime now. You can sort this out maybe even in an empty parking lot with lines on it. You have to figure out the combo of your truck turning radius, the pivot of the camper where the axles are and how far past the pad you need to start before backing up. Memorize that distance and how it looks in the mirror. When we back in at night, the wife shines a flashlight straight down on the ground at the downstream edge of the pad to the road. I need to see the marker.
At gas stations, stay a good distance from the pumps. 3 feet sounds like a lot but with a rig this size it can save you a lot. This room allows you to better turn getting out of the pump area. If you are too close, your gonna hit something when you swing out.
In time you will master all this. Another good excuse to go camping more. Dad needs to practice!
Good luck with your new camper.
Hope this helps
John
