Thanks all, this is great info as always.
Based on the info here, I have decided to delay my purchase for a few days while I research the sway bars, weight distribution system rig and a brake controller. Their price of $990 for all of that from the dealer just seemed too high and some searching on Amazon seems like I can get it all for around $650. I have friends who tow that can show me how to set it up. (Any recommendations for which I should get?)
As far as the weight goes, I've done a fair amount of research on this and while I won't be passing any vehicles on the hills in the Shenandoah Valley, I feel confident I will be ok. The truck is less than 6000#, plus tongue weight of around 1100#, plus the humans means that I will be at the max there. I won't be hauling any 4-wheelers in the back (or really anything in the bed at all). The truck is rated to haul just over 10000#, but I don't think I'll ever be that close. The trailer is 5500# and I doubt I'll ever go over 7000#, even with a full 46 gallon water tank (which I will probably never do).
The combined weight of the truck is rated at 16000#, and I think the max I will ever be at is 13000#. So, with 3000# of gap, that's a lot and makes me think we will be fine.
Thanks for the feedback on the 15k A/C, I will look into it.
I might need to get the 14yo to lay in the back, but if the bunks are too small for her, there is the couch and table/dinette. And that will alleviate the "I want the top bunk" arguments that have ALREADY started. We hadn't thought about putting gates up, but we do have some because we had bunk beds before. They slide under the mattress or I can make something.
Thanks again!
