Forum Discussion

scmike's avatar
scmike
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013

Hello from a newbie (and a Keystone question)

Well, I'm jumping in - with a new TT(for us) and a question. Just brought home a used Keystone Springdale 266RL. The previous owner installed a WD/sway hitch and away we went. Found I was porpoiseing(??) on the highway. When I got home - THANKS to this forum, seemed my hitch was low. Spent the day working on leveling in 90+ heat. I raised the ball height about 4 inches - boy were those head bolts tight :). Haven't taken it back on road, but trailer bubble level is right in middle and truck settled about 3/4 in rear and nothing in front. I know all you pros will probably just sigh, but we felt pretty darn good. Now how it rides better.

Now the question - in looking for more storage space (isn't that common :)) my wife asked about the enclosed table between the two recliners in reach of lounge. We see that the top doesn't raise. Does anyone know if there is something under there or could I "carefully" remove top and but a hinge of some sort to gain access to that space.

Thanks for reading and for all the information on this site.
  • 3940wez12's avatar
    3940wez12
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2013
    We have the 2011 Springdale 266RL as well and while we really like it have to admit storage space isn't its' strong point. Our neighbor has a Wildwood with the same floor plan and he made a "window seat" with a lift up top and cushions in the rear (no chairs), don't know what he did about his electric cord.
  • Doug33's avatar
    Doug33
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2013
    When I traded in our Jag and bought the new Keystone Bullet, the dealer threw in the cost of the hitch/WD/Sway control transfer. Because the Bullet sits so much higher, he had to flip the hitch stem to get everything level. Which had an additional benefit, because now the hitch doesn't ever bottom out on the lip of my driveway. The dealer tech laid a level on the floor of the TT, then told me that this would be perfectly level when he was done. And he was right - the guy knew what he was doing!

    Since the hitch work was free, I had no reason to try the work myself, as I'm not entirely comfortable with this type of very important task anyway.

    The new TT towed very nicely on its maiden voyage last weekend.
  • scmike's avatar
    scmike
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2013
    Ours is a 2011 (new for us!). First travel trailer we've owned. Wife looking at how best to use the limited storage space.
  • Andymon's avatar
    Andymon
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2013
    We have a Springdale 266RLS. The table between the two chairs houses the electrical cord. The electrical panel is to the right when you enter the back door...sorta under the sink area. what year is your 26?
  • scmike's avatar
    scmike
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2013
    I have a Husky WD. It has round bars with chains and friction sway control on one side. There was no manual with the unit and I went to Husky site and it asked for a model number which I don't have. BUT looking at internet for others they all seemed to give basically the same instructions. I followed them and discovered that when the previous owner installed the hitch on my truck, as part of our taking the TT, it seems he set in close to what he had. He had a F150 as TT and I have a Chevy 2500HD. I had some bouncing on the way home. Taking it apart, I saw the trailer level at about 22" and the inside of the coupler was at about 23". The ball height on the unloaded truck was about 18 1/2". So I raised the ball and reattached.

    Thanks for all the comments!
  • blangen's avatar
    blangen
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2013
    aarond76 wrote:
    Blangen's comment a bove regarding the front of the truck squatting is dated and has been revised by essentially all the WDH manufacturers at this point. Most now want you to get your front end height back to as close to unloaded as possible without actually compressing any from the unloaded height. The instructions (particularly Equalizer) used to suggest compression in the front but not any longer. The concern with getting the front under compression is you have the ability at that point to actually remove weight from the rear axle vs. its unloaded weight.


    Granted... I no longer own a weight dist hitch but here is from the currently published Equalizer Manual:

    Weight Distribution:
    Weight distribution is the ability of a hitch to transfer some of the tongue
    weight of the trailer from the rear axle of the tow vehicle to the front axle of
    the tow vehicle, and backward to the trailer axles. Without weight distribu
    -
    tion the tow vehicle “teeter-totters” on the rear axle of the tow vehicle, and
    unweights the front axle. Proper weight distribution transfers weight back to
    the front steering axle, forcing it back to the ground.

    The OP hasn't said he has an Equalizer but, just in case he does, here is the complete manual.
  • dahkota's avatar
    dahkota
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2013
    scmike wrote:
    Duh - I think you're right! I just went to pull the power out to connect to my house and noticed its right at level of that space. Thanks for confirming. We'll learn - if you can teach old dog new trick.


    One one side, you should see the fuse panel. If you turn on a bunch of lights, you can hear the converter hum while hooked to shore power.
  • aarond76's avatar
    aarond76
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2013
    Blangen's comment a bove regarding the front of the truck squatting is dated and has been revised by essentially all the WDH manufacturers at this point. Most now want you to get your front end height back to as close to unloaded as possible without actually compressing any from the unloaded height. The instructions (particularly Equalizer) used to suggest compression in the front but not any longer. The concern with getting the front under compression is you have the ability at that point to actually remove weight from the rear axle vs. its unloaded weight.
  • blangen's avatar
    blangen
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2013
    On the hitch, regardless of which one you have, there should be a manual. If you don't have one, look online. For the Equalizer Hitch, for example, the manual has detailed instructions about how to assess, calculate and install the hitch for optimum results. In short, if the front of the truck is not squatting proportionately, you're not set up properly and are missing the intended benefits of the weight distribution. Every truck and trailer combination are different so the only way to accomplish optimum results is to work through the process.

    PS: Welcome to the Forum!
  • scmike's avatar
    scmike
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2013
    Duh - I think you're right! I just went to pull the power out to connect to my house and noticed its right at level of that space. Thanks for confirming. We'll learn - if you can teach old dog new trick.

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