We're about to purchase our first TT, an Outback 230rs. It' a toy hauler,
They are nice but they are really travel trailers with a storage bay in the front, not a real toy hauler. Any weight you place in front will add to tongue weight, bicycles or anything else. Most toy haulers load in the rear and that tends to lighten the tongue or pin weights with the load inside. So, they tend to be tongue or pin heavy empty and ride better loaded. Yours will be almost the opposite as you add weight in the toy bay area the tongue weight will go up, not down. I have looked at the 280 TT as it is the same unit only a little bigger and like it. They are nice. But for me I need to load a large touring motorcycle and the ramp and storage area is limiting. The rear expanding bed is a cleaver design.
however we're not planning on taking any motorized toys. The heaviest thing in the front "garage" will be clothes/food and occasionally, five bicycles. Our TV is a 2004 Suburban 2500 with the 8.1L and 3.73.
What type of WDH/equalizer should we get for this set up? Is this something I should get installed from the dealer, or can we buy off the net and DIY?
Get the best hitch you can afford. In your case if you change the weight in the toy section of the TT, you are changing the tongue weight so I would opt for a hitch that can be adjusted easily to accommodate for the conditions. Spend money on a good hitch and your towing experience will be better. Get the hitch rating that will be for the TT fully loaded not empty. You might use gross weights to size your spring bars and hitch rating. The more you put in the toy section the heavier the tongue will be so this is real important not to calculate weights with the brochure weights nor the empty weights of the coach. I agree with those that think you should start with a 1200/12000 hitch and if needed work lighter by loosen a chain or leaving a washer out, etc. If you can afford to find a good used Hensley or ProPride your towing issues will be greatly minimized.
Also, we just bought the TV used. I've heard that the old GM receivers aren't so hot and may need replacement...any suggestions on that?
Many of us have heard the same thing about OEM GM receivers. I would opt for a 15,000 pound or more aftermarket receiver. Curt makes one that is relatively inexpensive. Too many safety issues are riding on the hitch and receiver to be cutting corners in this important area.
Finally, the TV has a prodigy brake thingy plugged in.
Prodigy is an excellent brake controller. Keep it if it is working properly.
Will I be able to use it with the new trailer? Sorry for all the dumb questions...our current RV is a pup, so all of this is new. We're trying to save $ on the purchase of all this stuff and the install. DH is a newbie too, but is usually pretty
