freymann wrote:
Maybe I'm reading these comments wrong, but I feel compelled to add one more post here...
We upgraded to our 4th travel trailer, 26 feet long. Each time we bought a new trailer the dealer involved, all different dealers, told me that my Reese Weight Distribution and anti sway bar system was fine.
I could tell, as the driver, that it wasn't "fine" with the most recent 26 footer (and over 2 different tow vehicles) and being the responsible RV owner I researched Weight Distribution and Anti Sway systems and came up with 3 I felt were worth looking at.
I then discussed my concerns that I was after a proper tow package with Peterborough RV, a model was chosen, and an appointment to have the old system removed and the new system installed was made.
You go to a Dentist to have your teeth cared for. I went to a RV Dealer to have my RV cared for. I was being responsible for my RV and the safety of my family and those on the highway with me.
After the install I could tell something was wrong with the system and I complained about it. The dealer wasn't interested but fortunately Blue Ox was, and wanted to ensure that I was a happy customer of theirs. My dealer? *shrugs* Beats me.
Now with some of my own leg work, some more research, and a good discussion on this forum, two issues were found and will be resolved. I've already had the ball raised 3 inches and now I'm working on exchanging the bars.
Mission accomplished.
Let's conclude this thread on a happy note :) and be proud that the RV.NET forums has helped another RV'er and possibly other RV'ers in the future that may find themselves in a similar situation and can read our content and learn from it.
I agree with your post, almost wrote a similar one without reading the new posts this morning.
Others have commented about not knowing your weights. I would bet a nice dinner that if a accurate poll was done, less than 5% of travel trailer owners have ever weighed their setup. I knew I had some limits on our tow vehicle when we were shopping for our first trailer and knew that dry weights and sellers (private and dealer) would tell you anything to make the sale, so we bought a Sherline tongue scale and kept it in the tow vehicle we intended to use. When we were looking at a trailer for sale, if we liked it at all, the scale came out and we got a good read on the tongue weight. It saved us from several trailers that looked okay, but were too heavy.
I don't know your scale situation where you reside, but having an idea about your weights is a good thing, whether it is setting up WDH or replacing tires, or making decisions about having fresh water tank full when you leave home.
We stopped at a DOT weigh station that was closed, but we could still see electronic readout through window in door and got most of our weights on current trailer. We were loaded heavy for a family reunion so know that is likely the max we would ever tow. All within our limits (yes, we have the 1500lb bars, but thought the 1000lb might work with dry tongue weight listed on sticker...
Again, glad you are getting this taken care of... now you can get back to enjoying camping and not fighting your setup.
