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2freelife's avatar
2freelife
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015

hooking up a travel trailer

I'd like opinions about how difficult it would be to hook up a travel trailer for a person who isn't strong. I would want a anti sway bar, & thought about getting a backup camera. Is there strength needed. I am a 5'2" / 125 lb woman. Would there be other equipment that would make this easy?
  • No one has mentioned it yet, but the heaviest thing will be your hitch. Picking it up and putting it in the receiver will be the heaviest thing you have to do
    What you should do , is go to a dealer and ask if you can pick one up and carry it around or even put one in your vehicle receiver.

    All of the rest should be no problem

    jack L
  • Electric Jack and the right leverage on the WD hitch really helps. I use a Sway-Pro hitch with a pretty easy lockup system. I use a socket on a large breaker bar to make it even easier.
  • Electric tongue jack is a huge help. I had difficulty with the WDH bars but my preteen niece and nephew could do them for me no problem, I am now in a B+, but for me the biggest issue was in and out of the car for lining up, etc. But I am a wimp.
  • Playing the Devil's advocate have you considered a Class C?
  • I'm about your size.

    My first little TT, I did it without a power jack. Now, with the newer trailer, I have to use the power jack.

    The Equalizer bars weigh 17# EACH. UGH. But you can do it!!!
  • When you are show the right way to do it, it is easy if you have an electric tongue jack.
  • If you do it right you don't need much strength. Most people after hitching the hitch use the tongue jack to pickup both the TV and TT to make it much much easier to latch their weight distribution bars or if your a high roller get a Hensley. As for a backup camera never personally used one. If I hitch up alone I just get out repeatedly and check alignment until I get there or get a spotter to line you up.
  • There is some strength needed. Mine are set pretty tight but my 50 y/o (dont tell anybody) 130# wife can do it fine but sometimes needs the help of the power jack.
  • You didn't mention a weight distribution hitch, but I assume having mentioned a sway bar, you're planning for that also.

    I would HIGHLY recommend an "electric tongue" jack & yes, a back-up camera also.