Kind of a dumb question, but I'm new

[SlothHorn]

Y'all were so gracious to help me with my last question, so here goes #2.

The only thing I have on my truck right now is a hitch cover. Therefore, I need to get a hitch, weight distribution, sway control... essentially the whole 9 yards. I'll be going to Camping World locally to have the equipment installed.

My question is this. If I know the style and approximate weight of the travel trailer I'm going to get, is it appropriate to go ahead and get this done THEN look for trailers OR do I need to buy/get the specific trailer first, then hit up Camping World? I guess what I'm asking is, does "one size fit all" when it comes to hitches and trailers weighing around 5,000 lbs dry (a little over 6,000 with people/equipment)?

We're probably not buying until September; however, as a teacher, I've got a couple of weeks of free time before reporting to school. I'd just as soon go ahead and take care of the stuff I can do now, but don't want to buy and get something installed that, ultimately, doesn't fit the trailer we buy.

[trail-explorer]

SlothHorn wrote:
I'll be going to Camping World locally to have the equipment installed.

Don't buy anything from CW, not let their service people attempt to install it. Wait and get it done at the RV dealer you buy the RV from. And don't buy an RV from CW either.

[SlothHorn]

Interesting. I had seen a couple of negatives re: Camper's World here and there.
I didn't realize the feeling was so widespread. I'll follow y'all's advice and wait until I purchase the trailer.

Thanks for the info.

[jdc1]

Or save hundreds of dollars and buy used wdh on Craigslist.

[SDcampowneroper]

afidel wrote:

campigloo wrote:
Adding the hitch is a simple and quick deal. Camping World might not be your best choice of shops to do it. Buying from the dealer you buy the camper from is good advice. CW has a less than stellar reputation.

No matter which dealer does it I'd double check their setup, measure the wheel well front and rear, drop the trailer on the ball, measure, then attach/engage the WDH and measure a third time. The third measurements front and rear should be roughly halfway between the first and second.

THIS
wdh hitches are all about distributing the weight . Wheel well or bumper height measurements are critical. when done properly. WDH bars must match the loaded tongue weight to be effective.
?

[winniman]

A transmission cooler is a good addition if your truck doesnt have one. A business that sells utility trailers and some U haul places install hitches. It doesnt have to be a rv place.

[afidel]

campigloo wrote:
Adding the hitch is a simple and quick deal. Camping World might not be your best choice of shops to do it. Buying from the dealer you buy the camper from is good advice. CW has a less than stellar reputation.

No matter which dealer does it I'd double check their setup, measure the wheel well front and rear, drop the trailer on the ball, measure, then attach/engage the WDH and measure a third time. The third measurements front and rear should be roughly halfway between the first and second.

[Guy_Roan]

bgum wrote:
Get your hitch and sway control from your trailer dealer. You should make it a package deal and may save a few bucks.

I agree with Begum !
I did that on our first two trailers and never had to worry about it

Guy

[ppine]

Buy your trailer first.

[wanderingaimles]

As bgum said, get it at the same time you get the trailer, and have the dealer do the initial set up and adjustments as much as possible.

[Lynnmor]

Skip the CW & the Good Sam. Get CoachNet if you want an assistance plan. Buy your WDH from eTrailer using their advice. Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t need to drop a ton of money on a WDH, most issues are maladjustment. If you closely follow instructions, you can install or get some help from someone that has mechanical ability. I drove home from my wonderful dealer with the hitch completely loose on the shank.

[MarkTwain]

campigloo wrote:
Adding the hitch is a simple and quick deal. Camping World might not be your best choice of shops to do it. Buying from the dealer you buy the camper from is good advice. CW has a less than stellar reputation.

Totally agree100%

[MarkTwain]

SlothHorn wrote:
Y'all were so gracious to help me with my last question, so here goes #2.

The only thing I have on my truck right now is a hitch cover. Therefore, I need to get a hitch, weight distribution, sway control... essentially the whole 9 yards. I'll be going to Camping World locally to have the equipment installed.

My question is this. If I know the style and approximate weight of the travel trailer I'm going to get, is it appropriate to go ahead and get this done THEN look for trailers OR do I need to buy/get the specific trailer first, then hit up Camping World? I guess what I'm asking is, does "one size fit all" when it comes to hitches and trailers weighing around 5,000 lbs dry (a little over 6,000 with people/equipment)?

We're probably not buying until September; however, as a teacher, I've got a couple of weeks of free time before reporting to school. I'd just as soon go ahead and take care of the stuff I can do now, but don't want to buy and get something installed that, ultimately, doesn't fit the trailer we buy.

Number 1! STAY AWAY FROM CAMPING WORLD FOR ANY SERVICE OR PARTS!!! Camping World gets terrible reviews from just about all RV.net members.

Do some research and find a reputable RV Shop in your town that has been in business for years. No!, one size does not fit all. Hitches are labled I, 2, 3 ,4 based on weight capacity the hitch will carry. You want a hitch that will carry more weight that you actually need. I used the Reese Dual Cam hitch and found it very stable while towing. Go on line and search for trailer hitches and then start your evaluation and comparison. Do not try to save money on a hitch, buy the best you can afford . If you buy a new trailer, throw away the tires and buy some good 10 ply tires. Buy the Good Sam premium road side assistance plan.

[campigloo]

Adding the hitch is a simple and quick deal. Camping World might not be your best choice of shops to do it. Buying from the dealer you buy the camper from is good advice. CW has a less than stellar reputation.

[Danoo]

As previously stated, get a 7 way and the brake controller unit for your tow vehicle done now. The get the wdh when you get your trailer.

[Sjm9911]

Do you have a 7 pin conecter and a break controller? You could do that ahead of time. The wdh will have to be ajusted for your specific camper. So really useless to get it done now. I agree to try to add it as a package deal especially since your going to have someone else do it.