Hitch SetUp Question for new TT

Ahh...ok, thanks for the clarification.

BarneyS wrote:

Dougie123 wrote:
Hannibal - so you run just WD, and NO sway control at all?

I am wondering the same thing. His signature indicates a 4 point Equal-i-zer hitch which has sway control built in.
Barney

When we went back to a travel trailer, the 2017 28RLS Jayco in May 2016, I bought a Reese HP trunion style hitch without the sway control (dual cam) arms. We towed with this setup for a year before I saw the Equalizer for sale on Ebay. It towed great with the Reese sans sway control but the minor push pull of passing trucks could get annoying when truck traffic was heavy. The Equalizer makes passing trucks unnoticeable with our rig.

Dougie123 wrote:
Hannibal - so you run just WD, and NO sway control at all?

I am wondering the same thing. His signature indicates a 4 point Equal-i-zer hitch which has sway control built in.
Barney

Hannibal - so you run just WD, and NO sway control at all?

That's good! Sounds like no trailer induced sway. I was hypersensitive the first trip or two out with our 32.5' Jayco with no sway control. By the third trip, we were eating buffalo wings rolling down the interstate with cruise control on. Even with our previous 5th wheels, we occasionally felt a little push or pull from passing trucks. Definitely felt their turbulence once past as we do with the travel trailer.

Trip Report-

Just completed fully loaded trip yesterday. 3hrs, 170miles, though the Bershires and Adirondacks. Kept the cruise control on 67mph, tow/haul mode, auto exhaust brake mode. Truck did great bringing the TT up to speed, and also slowing it down.

No real noticeable sway, but it was a relatively calm day. Once or twice I did feel very little of what I call ‘vacuum pull’ when passed by a big rig, but nothing alarming. Keep in mind I had the dual friction bars cranked down a lot...made awful noises when making tight turns.

Was it as ‘care free’ as previous trips with the old camper? No, but then again, this was the first trip out, so i had my ‘radar’ tuned up pretty high.

I’ll report back should I encounter a situation where I think the dual friction bars are not doing the job.

Doug

Sounds like you might be good to go! Looking forward to seeing your loaded trip report.

Brought the new 38’ Jayco TT home yesterday. Truck and trailer did great, felt really good between mix of country roads and highway. Even took it up to 70mph, and with semi’s passing all around me did not notice any sway.

Granted the trailer was ‘empty’ but we will go out this weekend fully rigged out, and will report back.

I agree the dual friction bars are a hassle, but they seem to be doing their job so far.

Would love to hear how your trip went. I have the same truck and a Windjammer 35 foot (8200 lbs loaded). I went ahead and got the Hensley. Even with dual sway controllers it wasn't great. FWIW, my trailer is the V-nose model, and I'm beginning to think those are actually worse when it comes to sway than flat-front models.

Also, if you call the Hensley folks, they usually have a few remanufactured hitches they'll sell for a discount. That's how I got mine (it was still lots of $$$ though).

Thanks everyone for the input.

I was able to find some #1200 bars on the cheap, and an extra friction bar. I'm going to see how it goes with that. If necessary, I will then consider Equalizer or Hensley ($$$ ouch!).

Will report back from our first trip out.

Thanks,
Doug