WISDOM OF A HITCH EXTENSTION
We just finished our first trip in our 19 foot Airstream Flying Cloud. All went well except for one unanticipated issue. Having access to the truck bed for additional storage was important. But, the t...
Forum Discussion
I want to be clear that I DO NOT intend to use a hitch extension to get a little extra drawbar length, allowing me to drop my tailgate with the trailer attached. In the photo, I just put on the one I already had to see how much length I needed and what it would look like.
The idea of extending the tongue of the trailer instead of the drawbar would be good one since this is a permanent need but, I don't want to do that to a brand new Airstream with no recourse to go back. So, I am going to try rotating the electric jack 45 degrees to get the head out of the way and use a slightly longer drawbar, 12 - 14 inches.
The 3800 lb trailer WITHOUT the extended drawbar performed extraordinarily well on a recent 1,000 mile trip, without a weight distributing hitch. It is a beefed up F150 with the heavy duty load package and the tow package. The tow package does have sway control that seems to be managing that end of things well. I also have a good deal of cushion in tongue weight and pulling capacity. I realize that if I do decide to go to a WD hitch I probably can't use the longer drawbar.
The trailer folks and the Airstream folks are both OK with this and, if there are any surprise handling problems, I can always go back. The longer drawbar is out of stock and due in Monday. I will keep you posted.
Holler if you can come up with anything I have not thought of.
The idea of extending the tongue of the trailer instead of the drawbar would be good one since this is a permanent need but, I don't want to do that to a brand new Airstream with no recourse to go back. So, I am going to try rotating the electric jack 45 degrees to get the head out of the way and use a slightly longer drawbar, 12 - 14 inches.
The 3800 lb trailer WITHOUT the extended drawbar performed extraordinarily well on a recent 1,000 mile trip, without a weight distributing hitch. It is a beefed up F150 with the heavy duty load package and the tow package. The tow package does have sway control that seems to be managing that end of things well. I also have a good deal of cushion in tongue weight and pulling capacity. I realize that if I do decide to go to a WD hitch I probably can't use the longer drawbar.
The trailer folks and the Airstream folks are both OK with this and, if there are any surprise handling problems, I can always go back. The longer drawbar is out of stock and due in Monday. I will keep you posted.
Holler if you can come up with anything I have not thought of.
