Is my TT too big for long trips?
We are at a crossroads with our current travel trailer. It’s a 2017 Flagstaff 831 BHDS measuring 34’9” total length & a dry weight of 7195, GVWR 8761. The tow vehicle is a 2015 F-350 with a 6.7 diesel...
Forum Discussion
Fishwater wrote:
Thanks for all the tips & encouragement!
I have struggled with this particular set up since the new truck, old trailer & last truck even with this new trailer wasn't bad so I know it's hopefully just a set up issue.
The cams were out of adjustment so I adjusted them so they are in the center of the bar as the manual states. There was an immediate improvement but still some sway & porposing. I then got the trailer frame as close to level as possible but ran out of adjustment on the shank, another inch would probably do it. I tried adjusting the head tilt to get the bars within the required 7.5-8.5" but there's a lot of slop in the round bars as well as my receiver being a 2.5" with an adapter down to the 2" shank. So that had me thinking of purchasing a new hitch with trunion bars vs round, possibly moving up to 1400lb bars & increasing to a 2.5" shank to eliminate as much play as possible thinking all those little items are adding up & working against me? The porposing has improved since my last hitch adjustment. Also,there is nothing on the back bumper except the factory spare tire.
Then of course I saw a Hensley Arrow listed on Craigslist for about the same money as replacing my dual cam Strait Line set up but then read a few concerns about hooking up or disconnecting while on an incline which I do on occasion. So now I'm more confused than ever plus add the fact that everyone raves about how well a fith wheel pulls so that adds more to the confusion.
I've never used a Hensley or the like but common sense tells me to take the claims that they'll transform a TT towing experience into a FW towing experience with a grain of salt. At the end of the day the FW is still a lot heavier on the pin and the hitch point is over the axle versus 4' back, and no TT hitch is going to change those facts. That said I do think you have a combo that should tow well enough once you get it properly set up, and from a financial standpoint you will probably spend less money doing that versus trading in your trailer.
If money is no object to you I don't think you'd regret trading the TT for a FW, especially if a lot of longer distance towing is planned.
