TT help and questions

[geniegirl]

hey all. Figured my fellow Disney lovers could help. We just purchased our first TT last week. It's a sportsman classic 19bhs. Are there any sites like this that have active forums for tips, questions, general info ..... I looked up a few but the ones I found are not too active. When we had our PU I liked pop up explorer but haven't found anything like that yet.

On a side note even though our dealer didn't feel it was necessary to get a WD hitch and sway control system we went ahead and added that. However we are courious on how it all works, does turning become an issue, do we need to disconnect when backing up..... We didn't purchase this through the dealer so they are not a resource for us on this.

Thanks, hope to bring it to the fort one day.

 

[Disneypeach]

I can't answer questions on the hitch but I like to visit these sites and they have subforums that would probably be good places to ask:
http://www.rv.net/forum/
http://www.irv2.com/forums/
Both seem to be fairly active. Have fun!

 

[Teamubr]

We just purchased our first TT last week. It's a sportsman classic 19bhs. Are there any sites like this that have active forums for tips, questions, general info ...

On a side note even though our dealer didn't feel it was necessary to get a WD hitch and sway control system we went ahead and added that. However we are courious on how it all works, does turning become an issue, do we need to disconnect when backing up...

Congrats on the new trailer.

As for users forums, many of the manufacturers have something. I know CrossRoads, Keystone and Forest River do. I'm still active on 2 of those. I don't know if KZ has anything.

On the WD hitch, I'll guess you have a conventional type hitch with snap up or spring bars and a friction type sway control. You don't need to unhitch or loosen anything to turn or backup. If I remembered, I would loosen up the sway control when I backed into sites because I felt like it resisted trying to get the trailer to turn. Likely all I my head.

If you haven't figured it out yet, to make it easier to hook up the WD bars, hitch the trailer o the vehicle then raise the trailer and vehicle up some using the tongue jack. It makes tightening up the bars much easier. Once you are all hitched and tight, lower the jack and make sure you crank the foot up all the way.

Have a great time enjoying your new trailer.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

Okay, the first thing is that you do not have to remove or loosen the sway control to back in, but some of them make a lot of noise when turning. Mine did at first, so I would take it off once I got to the campground but this was mainly for all the other campers so they wouldn't have to listen to it. See how yours sounds and decide for yourself

The most important thing about the weight distribution hitch is to set it up correctly and have the adjustments make correctly. Depending on what type of hitch you got, it should have come with instructions on how to set it up. Remember, the idea is to keep the truck from sagging in the rear (taking weight off your steering) and the camper sagging in the front (putting too much weight on the front axle). Weight distribution levels it all out so you still maintain good steering, can see the road in front of you, your tires and shocks are not over stressed, and the front axle tires on your camper are not overloaded. Most people don't realize how this also affects the braking of the trailer as the intent behind good control is based on all the wheels of the camper having equal load to help with braking and sway.

Ditto on using the front jack to help with applying the weight distribution. Hook the trailer up, then jack it up, raising the rear of the truck some too. This makes applying the tension easier, then just let the jack back down.

I used to frequent the Jayco forum a lot but haven't really been there in a long time. This is primarily my internet home. People around here are a lot easier to discuss with and joke with without near the drama that some of the others can be.

 

[geniegirl]

Thanks. Again we got this more for the sway since the TT is pretty light 3500 and we can do 5000 but I prefer safety and this was suggested.

We got this one from Amazon and hope to set it up this weekend.
Fastway 94-00-0800 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch

 

[kazlac4]

RV.net forums is one of our favorites! Lots of different topics including "beginning RVer's"!

 

[peg110]

I have just learned more about the WD Hitches in these few posts then I ever did. Thanks for that.

I will also say that I don't necessarily REMOVE my anti-sway bar, but I do loosen it. It tends to make a lot of noise.

I would loosen up the sway control when I backed into sites because I felt like it resisted trying to get the trailer to turn. Likely all I my head.

I don't think it's in your head. It is after all a "Brake" to resist swaying. When you back in you likely need to "Turn the truck and trailer which is opposing the "Sway" so yeah... it's not in your head. That said, its not necessary to remove/loosen it, but I loosen mine anyway.

This is primarily my internet home. People around here are a lot easier to discuss with and joke with without near the drama that some of the others can be.

I have poked around rv.net and a few others (not even worth mentioning), and like you, I agree that this is a nicer, friendly board/forum (at least the camping portion.... That "Budget" board here on the DIS is CrAzY!)