We just bought a new camper and my truck will be pulling it, questions and tips

Well you certainly wont have understeer problems at least.

How's the turn clearance? Any chance of the trailer jack colliding with the spare tire when doing a sharp 90°?

 

Nice looking combination.

That weight ticket doesn't seem right at all, maybe it wasn't in the right place on the scale.

It shows only about 1/2 the listed dry weight of the trailer on the trailer axle.

The steer axle shows way high, about 20% over the load index of the factory tires even. I see you have a weight distribution hitch (very good). I don't know if it is possible to have it so far out of adjustment to make the steer number real.

The total is probably correct.

 

I don't think your positioned on the scale correctly, no way your front axle is that heavy, the rear is way to light and the trailer weight is wrong.

 

Well, its a lease. I have just under 2 years to go.

 

Beth, enjoy it, you'll have a great time.

 

Soooo, when it came time to hitch it up we saw that right away so they switched out the receiver? part that extended it out a few more inches. had to add chain extenders too. AND when they first tried to hitch it up my truck was too high and they had to put the camper jack up on blocks because the jack did not extend far enough up. lol

 

Maybe you are right, I need to research how to position the truck and camper on the scale.

 

Thanks! Looking forward to this weekend! Going about 2 hours away to a KOA that's really nice.

 

^^^ Not confidence inspiring. ^^^

You have two separate parts there 1) an adjustable ball mount 2) the weight distribution system.

They should have come with complete set up instructions, if not you can download them.
Here: https://www.fastwaytrailer.com/manuals

For this system to perform correctly it is imperative that the set up is right. Most of this (ball mount and hitch setup) is a one and done thing, the bars that run back to the trailer tongue sometimes need trimming if the load changes.

This isn't a difficult procedure, just follow the instructions step by step, take your time and do a good job. You will need some wrenches and a tape measure, perhaps a small level.

Don't trust the dealers setup, read the instructions and check/adjust for yourself.

 

OK, thanks for the heads up. Husband and I will work on that before we go anywhere else with it

 

That a disaster waiting to happen. Get rid of that adjustable draw bar. Look at it closely. Get the right drop WDH, not that cheap adjustable piece.

 

All I can say is that some campsites require a little bit of gymnastics to back into. Make sure your spotter positions themselves so that they can see both the front and rear of the trailer when backing in, because nothing ruins a trip like bending the jack.

(Never experienced it, but I've seen one unfortunate soul who did.)

 

Can you tell me more about what you mean?

 

The reverse order would be more believable:

Steer axle: 1760
Drive axle: 2000
Trailer axle: 5940

BUT I would think your weight distributing hitch system should move a portion of the trailer weight onto the truck. If the guess above is correct you have a Over Distribution situation which is not good for the axle of the truck or braking. Somebody dun goofed.

EDIT: After a bit more thought I'm not sure what's going on here with those #s.. I don't think it's possible to make the tow vehicle weigh LESS with a WDH?!

 

Do we have an image of a good setup? Mine is different- but might not be up to snuff either.

 

Many weight distribution hitch systems come with an adjustable draw bar.

I don't see an issue with the equipment, my concern lies with the description of the hook up, sounds like the installer didn't read and follow the setup procedure.

 

I 2nd @RustyGreen as the pictures appears to be all "Fastway e2 Weight Distribution" system parts. OP's equipment fall within the limitations of this system. What is it specifically that you do not like?

For what it's worth... the truck appears to be sitting nicely with the camper hooked up as there's isn't a lot of squat which would occur on the Tacoma's stock rear suspension with Minnie Winnie 400 lb tongue weight on the extended ball mount.

The scale #s are what concerns me not anything I see in the pictures.

 

Those numbers do not look right. It almost looks like you parked the entire truck on the steer axle scale and the trailer was split between the drive axle and trailer axel scales. When you pull up on the scale each axle should be on a separate scale pad.

I would have expected something like:

Steer axle: 2840
Drive axle: 3100
Trailer axle: 3760

You can also weigh a second time for a lower fee with the trailer disconnected so that the trailer axles and tongue jack are on the trailer axle scale pad to get the trailer weight separate and the truck axle weights front and rear unhitched.

 

Look at where that WHT bolts to drawbar, not very stout. It's just a piece of thin steel plate bent in U shape with no support of any kind. Dbarffish is more stout welded in gussets, and tension bolts up against draw bar. Better design by far.