lightning60
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Re: Initial Setup - E-350 and Wildwood 29BHBS
carringb wrote: Lightning - a couple notes to help you get started... 1) Your van is pre-wired, including a 4-way light connector tucked into your rear bumper. The other 3 wires (brakes, battery charge, backup light) terminate in a dummy connector inside the left frame rail above the rear axle. 2) The trailer brake controller connector will be taped to the wire harness behind the parking brake. It's a brown or gray 6-pin rectangular connector. Tekonsha sells an adapter to plug right in. 3) Trailer battery charge circuit won't be live until you install the relay in the power distribution box under the hood. Thank you SO MUCH! 1) I was just staring at that connector and really hoping it already had the wires I needed. I picked up a mating connector at the junkyard today. I was hoping for a factory harness, but the only ones I found were for a standard wheelbase, not the extended wheelbase like mine.441Views0likes0CommentsRe: Initial Setup - E-350 and Wildwood 29BHBS
DiskDoctr wrote: Just a few mins, but this should get you started.... WDH- YES, definitely. Sway control- yes, it will help, especially with that big wind catch from side winds (ie bridges, open fields, etc) Inspect your vehicle's hitch and frame. Do it TWICE! If you're not sure, get a good mechanic to check it. What is the weight rating on the hitch, condition of frame, hitch, bolts? Age has a tendency to be not-kind to steel. You'll be hooking over 5-1/2 TONS of weight behind you, make sure it is all ready for it. Enjoy! Thanks DiskDoctr! I just finished installing my brand new receiver hitch from Curt. It is rated for a trailer weight of 10000 lbs w/o and 12000 lbs with a weight distributing hitch. 1000 lbs tongue load w/o and 1200 lbs with weight distributing hitch. I inspected the frame and rear suspension, everything looks like it is in great shape. This van did not have a hitch installed on it previously.146Views0likes0CommentsInitial Setup - E-350 and Wildwood 29BHBS
Hello- I'm looking for some advice before I purchase additional components to get set up to tow. We are departing North Carolina in one month for a year of full-time boondocking across America. This is the first travel trailer that our family has owned. Our rough plan is to stay approximately one week at a location and then do a 5-6 hour drive to a new location. I'm assuming that we will drive 15000 miles in the next year. I have plenty of experience towing, having towed large stock trailers and driven tractor-trailers. Tow Vehicle: 1998 Ford E-350 Club Wagon 15 passenger (with hi-top) 6.8L V10 Currently 3.73 rear gears Data from owner's manual: Max GCWR - 15000 lbs Max Trailer Weight - 8600 lbs Max Trailer Frontal Area - 60 sq ft I am having 4.10 rear gears installed next week, the owners manual states the following for that van configuration: Max GCWR - 18500 lbs Max Trailer Weight - 11000 lbs Travel Trailer: 2011 Forest River Wildwood 29BHBS Data from stickers on trailer Dry Weight - 7052 lbs GVWR - 11035 lbs Max Cargo Weight - 3945 lbs My Questions: Do I need a weight distributing hitch? If I do not need a weight distributing hitch, do I need a sway control device? Obviously my first priority is the safety of my family. Secondary is cost, every dollar we spend now shortens the length of our big adventure on the road. I will be taking delivery of the travel trailer on Tuesday April 11. My plan is to have them fill the fresh water tank and use an adjustable height hitch to get the combination level. I will weigh the van and travel trailer as-is to get a starting point on my way home.2.7KViews0likes18Comments
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