Need help with hitch setup...
Hello,
I tow a 2012 Dutchman 318RKDS with a 2006 Ford F-250 CC 4X4 6.0. I am running oversized tires and do have a small leveling kit installed. The trailer is rated at 7,358 lbs dry with a hitch Weight of 916 lbs. My current hitch setup is a cheap 10,000/1,000 lb Ultra Fab weight distribution hitch.
I never realized how bad it towed until this past weekend when I hooked up to a buddies travel trailer which is only 2' shorter and around 750 lbs lighter unloaded. I also used his E2 hitch.
Now my main issue is sway. I know his hitch is of better quality and I may have to do something different but this below are my experiences with my hitch.
Having the hitch setup to a completely level travel trailer at 6 links up I don't feel safe going more than 55 mph. At 5 links I feel safe to about 60 mph, when hooking the chains up at 5 links I basically have to completely extended the jack as the tension is insane. What seems to work best is moving the hitch up one notch in which the trailer is 1" high in the front. Seems to pull OK but not nearly as nice as his. I've got a cheap sway shock also I can use but wanting to know if it made sense to have the trailer 1" high in the front or are my bars not sufficient with the 30 propane tanks loaded, battery, electric jack, camping chairs and blocks in the pass thru storage? I never realized until now how much hitch weight the trailer actually had but his was also rated the same.
I'm looking for suggestions on adjusting my current hitch or what hitches I should look into.
Thanks so much!
I tow a 2012 Dutchman 318RKDS with a 2006 Ford F-250 CC 4X4 6.0. I am running oversized tires and do have a small leveling kit installed. The trailer is rated at 7,358 lbs dry with a hitch Weight of 916 lbs. My current hitch setup is a cheap 10,000/1,000 lb Ultra Fab weight distribution hitch.
I never realized how bad it towed until this past weekend when I hooked up to a buddies travel trailer which is only 2' shorter and around 750 lbs lighter unloaded. I also used his E2 hitch.
Now my main issue is sway. I know his hitch is of better quality and I may have to do something different but this below are my experiences with my hitch.
Having the hitch setup to a completely level travel trailer at 6 links up I don't feel safe going more than 55 mph. At 5 links I feel safe to about 60 mph, when hooking the chains up at 5 links I basically have to completely extended the jack as the tension is insane. What seems to work best is moving the hitch up one notch in which the trailer is 1" high in the front. Seems to pull OK but not nearly as nice as his. I've got a cheap sway shock also I can use but wanting to know if it made sense to have the trailer 1" high in the front or are my bars not sufficient with the 30 propane tanks loaded, battery, electric jack, camping chairs and blocks in the pass thru storage? I never realized until now how much hitch weight the trailer actually had but his was also rated the same.
I'm looking for suggestions on adjusting my current hitch or what hitches I should look into.
Thanks so much!
