Show us what you tow.

Scoping out hunting area?

 

Bird Watching. I gave up hunting 30 years ago. Enjoyed hunting but got tired of bullets whizing over head.

 

So are you saying to have more tension on the bars? I have the Equil-i-Zer WD hitch. I adusted that to bring the front back down to within an 8th inch of unhitched height, which is what the instructions recommend. I ordered the Roadmaster system. I like the principle behind that. Summit is having the factory drop ship to me. Should have it in plenty of time before I go.

 

I know the people over at RV.NET rave about the equalizer but I have no experience with that and how to increase the tension. I do know that if you're getting the "dolphin" like effect when driving (bouncing flex in the middle) then the rigidity of the connection between the truck and trailer isn't rigid enough. Making sure the strength of the bars is also matched for the tongue weight of your trailer. I have 800# bars on my setup and if I'm really loaded up I have to drop links on my hitch to strenthen the connection. I don't have any "uncontrolled" bouncing with my trailer. I did the first few times I took it out until I read about dropping another link or two. Solved the problem for me.

 

What's the Roadmaster Active Suspension System? We'll be heading back out to CO this summer, so far I haven't had any issues with out 19' trailer.
What does it do? I will google it..

 

http://www.activesuspension.com/

 

The Equil-i-Zer tension is set by raising or lowering brackets mounted on the tongue of the trailer about 24" from the ball (isn't that where your chains are) which support the bars. Raising the bars (adding tension) lifts the backend of the truck and lowers the front end of the truck. The bars also slide on the brackets as you turn which gives the sway control. My hitch is a bit overkill for this trailer

 

Thanks for posting, I did google it yesterday, and read up on it..
Not sure I need it. So far I haven't had any problems pulling our 19' Airstream.. I didn't get the rear spring "fix" either. By the time I found out about it I had too many miles on my truck, so I wasn't eligible.

I'm switching hitches though.. Tired of cranking down the anti-sway bar. In order to get it on and off, I had to lift the cover off the propane tanks each time..
(lazy)

 

What kind of hitch do you have that requires removing tank covers?

 

Yes I have a traditional WD hitch and the chains are where the bar hangers are on your hitch. Tension is increases by "dropping" links. Basically the more links you leave hanging loose the tighter the connection. Thanks for the info on the Equil-i-Zer. Always wonders how those worked. Never had a need for one with my setup.

 

What a great set up! I've be thinking of buying a Airstream 19ft or 23ft was wondering what mods you made to your truck and how well it pulls the 23ft. I drive a 2011 V6 Quad 2X4 TRD w tow package.

 

It was the crank bar for the anti sway controller that hit the cover for the propane tanks every time I adjusted it..

Plus when we were pulling through the Ozarks (Branson) last year I went down a steep hill, then straight up. It was almost like a "V" at the bottom. The brackets that held the chains, that are attached to the tension bars bent. I mean just opened up. They are $150 a piece.. Ended up buying a new hitch.
The old one was a EaZlift elite. Wt dist 14k weight carry 6k.

 

I wonder what mine would do in a similar situation, if it would bend the trailer tongue or break the bars or brackets? My brackets are pretty heavy duty.

 

I bought it this morning and now I can join this thread.

 

I thought mine were too.. I would avoid a "V" type down hill/up hill if I were you. I thought the hitch pulled great, the anti-sway worked great. Those brackets that bolt on to the tongue will unfold though, and they aren't cheap.

 

Cool! Looks like it sits level. Is your truck suspension stock or modded?

 

So where is that road so I can mark my map to avoid?

 

Branson, Missouri..
We were just passing through (I think you need to be over 75 to spend the night )
It's got a few places where it seems like you are on a roller coaster. Not that much fun when your pulling a trailer..

 

Stock I also had the TSB done. There is also a weight distribution hitch. It pulls fine you just see in the mpg it is about 10 mpg.

 

Awww man that's not right! I totally want to go to Branson and I'm no where near 75!

Congrats on the trailer chugchug, looks good.

I'll contribute what I can here. I have Air Lift bags on my truck and run them about 25 - 30 PSI, no TSB done, Reese 600# / 6000# WD Hitch with Friction SwayBar.

I've considered the 4-point Equalizer, but I think the reason I'm getting sway is twofold:
1. Since I've had my trailer (2 months now), it's been 15+ MPH winds every single freaking day.
2. I think I had the WD hitch up too high, and had a slight rake in the front of the trailer, causing more weight shifting to the back and also for the tongue to be slightly up. This will always cause more sway than a level rig, or even a slightly tongue down position. It's not a loading issue, as I load all I have between the trailer axles and the front of the trailer, I just don't pack heavy and only put about 200lbs into the trailer when we camp. As time passes, I'll accumulate more, attributing to more tongue weight, which in my case might be a good idea. I'll weigh my tongue this Friday to find out.

Finally, I actually needed to BACK off a link of my WD chains, because I was lifting my truck to factory height, whereas I'm really wanting a 1/2" squat on the rear, with a back to factory height in the front.

I got this all worked out and tested, re-leveled my hitch, but haven't road tested yet. I'm hoping this weekend I'll find out, as I have a 60 mile pull on Saturday to make.