bedpan wrote:
As mentioned I don't think we even have an option to switch at this point. I will be calling the dealer this week to discuss.
That's unfortunate. As one who has done a lot of long distance travel camping and one who has always preferred shorter, lighter, and simpler over longer, heavier, and more complicated I fully understand your reasons for favouring a smaller trailer that's easy to tow and easy to park on pretty well any campsite. I'd also understand why for example you might want to stay away from slides for the potential issues they may introduce when you're 1000 miles from home but that said, considering your new TV, I'd recommend you step back and take another look at this if you can. As an example, you'd be doing yourselves a huge favour by at least considering a model with a queen walk around bed so you're not climbing over each other just to get out of bed. That will also in almost all cases net you a
large passthrough storage compartment below the bed ... believe it, on any long distance trip you're going to need as much storage as you can get, both inside and outside the trailer. Since you apparently need bunk beds that in most cases is going to step you into a trailer well over 25' so if you're really stuck on staying as absolutely short as you can in a bunk bed model then another alternative is the rear glide variation, one example being the
Jayco Jay Feather X213 which offers not only two generously sized bunk beds but also a rear "king" bed which allows you to sleep feet in and therefore not have to climb over your partner to get out of bed.
As far as weight distribution is concerned I've already offered my opinion that with pretty well any full height trailer there's every reason in the world to take advantage of the benefits and very little reason not to. However, from your earlier description it sounds to me like the dealer has stuck you with a basic round bar "hockey stick" chain style of Reese WD which should arguably be augmented with a separate friction sway bar. Frankly, if we've managed to convince you it's worth reassessing the size / type of trailer you're buying I'd like to also convince you it's worth stepping up to a better weight distribution system that includes sway control as a function of it's design and does not require the use of a separate friction sway bar. Examples would be the
Equal-i-zer or
Blue Ox Sway Pro, both of which are widely distributed here in Canada and available through most dealers. The
Andersen No Sway Hitch would be another option but AFAIK it's not distributed here in Canada so you might have to source one from a US dealer.
These are all just suggestions and obviously you have to do what you have to do but considering you're about to make a sizable investment in this sport and considering the capabilities of your new TV I'd be seriously reassessing the situation. Good luck with it! :B
