Zeppe807 wrote:
Bob/Olallawa wrote:
You say you had to raise the rear of the truck about 3 inches to set the bars. It is normal to lift the rear to relieve enough weight/pressure to snap up the brackets. If doing that did bring the front of the truck back to unhitched height and the rear down 3/4 inch it sounds like you are close. 3 links loose sounds like 5 or 6 under load which is good too.
Correct, the rig sits level, and handles well, but it rides rougher this way though.
I was wondering if I should have 1400lb bars...?
Joe Zeppe
I'll add this point as well with regards to HA and the PP vs Reese Dual Cam. Not only does light tongue weight not affect them, but CHANGING tongue weight doesn't matter compared to the dual cam.
The dual cam is dependent on a consistant tongue weight. The cams sit in saddles, and more or less tongue or bed weight affects the setup on the DC. To me, dry camping would be the most difficult situation for a DC, as you are shifting water around from fresh to black/grey tanks. That and generator/wood hanging off back of trailer makes a difference too.
Conceivably, you would need to adjust the DC for going to the CG, and then before you leave. Not a huge deal, but a PITA to do that every single time.
After looking at what you learned about tongue weight, there are one or two options for you, IMO.
1. Load everything, and I mean everything you can in the front of the trailer.
2. Put generator in bed of truck instead of rack.
3. Or put wood in bed instead of rack.
4. Remove rack completely.
5. Crank the sway bars down tighter.
Basically, you've got to get some of the weight from behind your tt axle to on or in front of. My trailer has the fresh water tank directly over axles, so it doesn't affect tongue weight as much.
I suppose as you use freshwater your wastewater tanks are further forward, so it helps your tongue weight.
So, it looks like you have some decisions to make.
FYI, if you search craigslist, you WILL find a used PP or HA. I have found no less than three in my local area in the past three years. They may look crusty on the outside, but they are well known for crappy paint jobs.
Don't pay any more than $800 range for used. I have paid $250 for one, and $450 for another used. Friend of mine paid $800 for one with lots of extras.
They are very easy to recondition, as it basically takes a coat of paint. Biggest thing to watch for is bent screw jacks or bent struts. Either of those are basically $100 each.
At this point, after hearing how your camper is used, I recommend going with the HA or PP. Your worry about sway will be solved after your first drive. You will be amazed at the difference.
