Hi all. Due to a change in my personal situation I had to partcompany with my fiver and Super Duty. I would like to continuerving but no longer would require that type of rig. I was thinkinga small c (25 ft or so ) but after crunching numbers I am thinkinga 24 ft class TT might give me more bang for the buck. I amlooking (on paper so far) a Laredo 24Mk (oal 27 ft). It has a dryof 5300 lbs so I figure about 6000 to 6300 with my gear (just me and my dog. TW is 590 dry so I am estimating around 750 lbs.TV would be a 2014 F150 2WD ECO 3.5, 3.55 gears 7100 payload, GCWR15200 Towing 9800lbs. I am fairly savy on numbers after having3 fivers so applying what I know from that it seems as if this makes a good match up. However what I am not sure of it the actualtowing experience of this rig vs a fiver (which can spoil you) as many know. I do not want a white knuckle drive. I was hopingto get some opinions here on what to expect based on the vastamount of experience on this forum. Oh as a side note I know a good WDH is a must! Thanks in advance.

Add a good integrated WD/sway control hitch and you should get a positive experience with that combination.

The premium hitches are essentially a fifth wheel hitch underneath the bed of the truck. If you want a sway free quality towing experience look for a ProPride, Hensley or PullRite hitch.Other hitches (Reese Dual Cam, Husky Centerline, etc) will also work. It depends on how much you want to spend and the towing quality you are striving for.

Downsizing to a smaller RV.As many have shared, the key is a good WDH. I tried 3 different brands with varing success but when I went to a Reese Dual Cam, I found a world of difference. Overall the control was not much different than towing with a 5th. wheel. Take a look at the various WDH's that have the dual cam system operation, look at price, look at posted experiences of other RVer's, then choose.I towed a 32" Holiday Rambler for about 10 yrs. with the Reese Dual Cam:):)

Downsizing to a smaller RV. As many have shared, the key is a good WDH. I tried 3 different brands with varing success but when I went to a Reese Dual Cam, I found a world of difference. Overall the control was not much different than towing with a 5th. wheel. Take a look at the various WDH's that have the dual cam system operation, look at price, look at posted experiences of other RVer's, then choose. I towed a 32" Holiday Rambler for about 10 yrs. with the Reese Dual CamOne of the nice features about the dual cam is that it tends to resist sway and also through the cam action supports a return from sway. Not all WDH hitches do that including the Equalizer that not only resists sway but also resists a return from sway, a very significant shortcoming with that hitch.

Good Match? UPDATE | Good Sam Community

martipr
Explorer
Apr 12, 2015
coolmom42 wrote:
fla-gypsy wrote:
Add a good integrated WD/sway control hitch and you should get a positive experience with that combination.

This. It's a good combo. A Equal-i-zer brand hitch would be perfect with it. Your truck has plenty of wheel base length to keep the trailer from being the "tail wagging the dog." You do not need an uber-expensive setup like the Hensley.

The Equalizer is a good hitch and many swear by them, however, no matter how you paint it, it is a friction type sway control and any friction that resists sway also resists return to straight. The Reese Dual Cam uses the spring pressure of the weight bars to resist sway and also to aid in return to straight. One other advantage to a TT vs fiver, so I have been told, is that the TT backs better.
BubbaChris
Explorer
Apr 06, 2015
Great news Ron!

As a tall guy, I really like some of what I see in your new TT. Barrel ceiling and a full length Queen bed.
Huntindog
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
jmtandem wrote:
Downsizing to a smaller RV.
As many have shared, the key is a good WDH. I tried 3 different brands with varing success but when I went to a Reese Dual Cam, I found a world of difference. Overall the control was not much different than towing with a 5th. wheel. Take a look at the various WDH's that have the dual cam system operation, look at price, look at posted experiences of other RVer's, then choose.
I towed a 32" Holiday Rambler for about 10 yrs. with the Reese Dual Cam

One of the nice features about the dual cam is that it tends to resist sway and also through the cam action supports a return from sway. Not all WDH hitches do that including the Equalizer that not only resists sway but also resists a return from sway, a very significant shortcoming with that hitch.

Not exactly. Sway is a BACK AND FORTH motion. So letting the TT freewheel back from the intial motion is actually not preventing sway.
The self centering of the DC has been calculated to provide little sway resistance. Most of it is friction between the the bars and cams.

In practice both hitches do a very good job.
The Equalizer has a couple of advantages over the DC. Most will find it easier to setup, and the EQUALIZER provides excellent ground clearance. The DC when properly set up often has very little ground clearance.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
Rons5er wrote:
UPDATE: Went ahead and purchased the 2014 F150 Ecoboost and Laredo 240MK.

Hey CONGRATS! Seems like you came out ahead of the game - new truck, new trailer, and by the sounds of it you got to keep the dog! :B :B
colliehauler
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2015
Thanks for the update. You'll have to change your handle from Rons5er to RonsTT.

I think you will find that a smaller rig will open all kinds of new places to camp.

Maybe even take a cross country trip.
Shane549
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
UPDATE: Went ahead and purchased the 2014 F150 Ecoboost and Laredo
240MK. Drove up from Ocala to Orange Park to pick up the new unit
Friday. Went with a Blue Ox Sway Pro 1000 hitch mainly because of
a good friend with 45 years towing under his belt swears by his.
Until talking to him I was leaning toward the Reese Dual Cam.

Bottom line, that set up towed like a dream. I really felt I'd
be hard to please after a couple of fivers with diesel trucks. The
Ecoboost with all the torque at low rpm is great. I would say it
is as close to "diesel"as a gasser can get. The tow home netted 9.8 mpg

MY NUMBERS: weighed the truck at the Cat Scales before leaving.
Truck: steer axle 3160 drive axle 2560 total 5720. Did a reweigh
when I got back. Steer axle 3020, drive axle 3260, trailer weight
5060, total 11340.

Did not have time to reweigh with the bars unhitched but it looks
as if I have a good cushion for adding my gear. It had a 1/3 of a
tank of fresh water which is what I normally carry.

Again, thank you for your responses.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Feb 20, 2015
fla-gypsy wrote:
Add a good integrated WD/sway control hitch and you should get a positive experience with that combination.

This. It's a good combo. A Equal-i-zer brand hitch would be perfect with it. Your truck has plenty of wheel base length to keep the trailer from being the "tail wagging the dog." You do not need an uber-expensive setup like the Hensley.
Shane549
Explorer
Feb 20, 2015
Steve and Vicky, you got it my man! Thanks
steve-n-vicki
Explorer
Feb 20, 2015
You sound like me , a divorce sent the fiver and F250 with the ex, so I bought a bullet 207 rbs , 20 foot box, 24 ft OAL, pulling it with a F150 ,enough room for me and the dog, BTW I have found several good sites that are 25 ft max length, so it opened up a lot of sites ,
your numbers sound good
Shane549
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
Thanks so much for your help. Sounds as if it would make a good rig.