First time towing a rented trailer! Im concerned..

So rented a trailer for my small family to enjoy in a few weeks. I towed a car on a Dolley before with my old mid sized suv so i have a little experience... ya almost none. But was confident!

But then I watched way to many towing videos on YouTube that say for a 3200ish lb Single axle travel trailer you should have sway control. Well its a rented trailer so will have none. Going to have a 2" ball on a basic hitch. I do have the long bed double cab which should be a bit more stable when towing and a break controller.

Not planing on driving overly fast or being stupid. Should I be concerned or just thinking to much.

 

It wouldn't worry me. If you get on the road and it wants to sway on you, the tongue is too light. Move some heavy stuff to the front of the trailer and that will help. I think most travel trailers are built with this in mind, so it should be good out of the gate.


Other than that, just take it easy. Everything takes longer when you're towing, braking and turning being the most interesting.

 

Youtube is a great way to scare you into buying and upgrading a lot of things. There are just way too many factors at play to say yes or no.

 

Just slow down and pay attention to what you are doing. It'll be a bit more work without the sway control, but it's do able. One suggestion, if you are staying in organized campgrounds, try to get a site that allows you to pull through. Backing even a small trailer can kick your but in the beginning. Then again, I've met lots of inexperienced folks from helping them back their trailers. Haven't met one yet that didn't appreciate the help.

 

I have a pull through booked. The LAST night lol. Trip is just at the start of off season. Hoping the parks wont be to crowded.

Also goong to back it up in a parking lot first. Dont want the first ettempt to include my screaming 2 year old =)

 

When backing, just mind how much your turning the steering wheel. Some people oversteer back and forth constantly, causing them to back all over the place. Small adjustments.

 

Thx for that bit of advise

 

Sometimes rentals come with a wdh. You might get lucky unless they specifically said they don’t provide one. Either way, keep a safe speed and enjoy yourselves.

 

Everyone here is on the money, OP. Lots of good advice. I rented your exact combo a couple years ago and did fine. A WDH helps, but it's not less safe to not have one as long as you're doing all the right things.

 

You'll be fine, take it easy and leave it out of high gear if it's shifting or struggling on hills.

I would bump the rear tire pressures up a bit as prep, thats all.

 

I’d def worry about that!

 

First time towing anything, I towed a Uhaul trailer from PA to CO. Followed the standard recommendation of keeping most of the weight in the front of the trailer, didn't experience any type of sway at all.

Don't over think it, I did when towing as well. Ended up being way easier than I thought.

 

A brake controller for the trailer would be a good idea. The first two times I towed I didn't have a weight distribution hitch or sway control and it was ok.

I did have a hard time seeing to change lanes though. Might be worth it to get a couple clip on mirror extenders.

 

One thing I would recommend is to check the date codes and load ratings on the trailer's tires. I've seen to many broken down trailers on the side of the road due to flat on outdated tires. Folks tend to wear out tires on their personal vehicles, but trailer tires tend to be neglected and put off too long. And trailer tires tend to go at bad times.
My boat trailer and utility trailer tires are all less than three years old - Experience is a good teacher sometimes.

 

I’ve towed trailers since the mid 1970s so towing isn’t new to me. We recently sold our travel trailer because someone offered me much more than I paid for it. But still having family camping vacations reserved we rented a trailer. The owner offered to set up the WDH and sway when picking the trailer up. The trailer was a Coachmen Nano 187, at approx 3200 lbs dry. I told him don’t worry about it, I’ll install it down the road if I need it. The setup was stored in the trailer. We towed her from southern Florida to northern Georgia and back. Not much problems. Had a little sway when trucks passed but not bad. I also have Wheelers 1.5 AAL on my truck which definitely help handle the hitch load. You’ll probably sag badly if you don’t have any load carrying help.

 

Interesting trip. Trailer i rented had no breaks and a bad wheel bearing. I refused it. Great start! People didn't even bother to clean it. They will get a super rv share review...

BUT Took a few hours but found a unit 90 miles away. So far towed it 230 or so miles. It has weight dist hitch and sway control.

Its definitly ok staying under 65. I must say truck does get 10mpg. Some of the guys hear arnt lieing. I normally average 20ish and scene 26 cruising at speed on family trips. I see why some people want a bigger truck but you would have to tow alot, as you def know you towing. For a few times a year however its great. I feel safe with the family and easy to control. Think its does damn good

 

I did get the clip on mirrors. Metal not the plastic covers. They are awsome. Truck is def not wide

 

What mirrors did you get? Need to pick up a set, and having trouble finding decent ones.

 

I got mine on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AJH1HK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They have worked well for me.

Note: the $30 is just for one...