WOO HOO-He Agreed

[ugadog99]

Well, my older DD and I approached my dad about going with us to the Fort in June. For those that don't know, I'm a single mom and last year I took our popup to the Fort with 3 kids. I had HORRIBLE sway issues on the way down and the way up. Once I returned home I swore I would never pull the camper again. Of course, now I am itching to get back to the Fort. My dad is an old pro at pulling large and heavy campers so I know he will have no problems with the popup. So, we decided that if we were returning to FTW with the camper that he would have to go with us. To say that he is sometimes grumpy is a major understatement. We knew we had to pick the right time to approach the subject. Well, tonight seemed perfect and the older DD and I just jumped right in and to our amazement he said YES!! Of course, who knows what will happen between now and June, but for right now he is agreeing to going with us. We are so excited. My dad started my love of Disney and the Fort in June 1972 right after WDW opened. From that summer until March of 1985, we spent every Spring Break at the Fort. My fondest memories of childhood are of Disney and the Fort. Now, he has agreed to return with us after 21 years to the happiest place in the world. We just hope he won't back out at the last minute. We are VERY excited to be planning another trip to our favorite place.

 

[Gillian]

That's wonderful news! I hope you have a fantastic visit to FW.

 

[ugadog99]

Thanks..we can't wait!!

 

[tim5055]

I had HORRIBLE sway issues on the way down and the way up. Once I returned home I swore I would never pull the camper again. Of course, now I am itching to get back to the Fort. My dad is an old pro at pulling large and heavy campers so I know he will have no problems with the popup.

Please understand that sway on a pop up generally has nothing to do with the skill of the driver. It is more commonly a weight and balance issue.

Trailers in general and popups especially need 10 - 15% of their weight on the tongue of the trailer. Light tongue weight will cause it to sway like crazy and there is nothing the driver can really do to stop it.

Check out a few of the pop up web boards and ask about your sway problem there. I bet with a little rearranging of the weight and maybe the addition of a sway bar you will be happy to tow yourself. We have so many beautiful Georgia State Parks you shoud have that pop up out almost every weekend spring, summer and fall!

Here are a few pages on my website that may help:

Trailer Sway

Towing and Hitch Information

Here are a couple of web boards to check out:

Pop Up Times Arvee Club

RV.net Folding Trailers

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I just wanted to reinforce what tim said. Weight distribution in a pop up is critical, and a friction sway control can be the best 150 bucks you spend.

 

[BeadyLady]

I hope for the Best Trip EVER!
I'll be wishing it was me and my DH! We've got a 86 motor home that I'm hoping the son-in-law can look at to see if it could travel 1300 miles. Or more!

 

[ugadog99]

Thanks, everyone. My dad and I were talking about it last night before I posted and he said we probably had too much weight on the back of the camper. I do have a sway bar, but we had issues with it. The bar will be fixed before we take it out again. It isn't that I think my dad can prevent the sway, but it is that he is so much more experienced that it won't panic him like it did me. Really, we just wanted him to go with us to Disney so badly and we knew the only to get him to agree was to take the popup and stay at the Fort. I'm sure if we got the issues corrected, I would be able to pull without the worry. However, we can use it as a good "excuse" to get Granddaddy to take a trip to WDW with the granddaughters! I was awake off and on last night making plans!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

you better get some sleep, June is still a few months off

I would also add that the trailer needs to be level as well, if the tongue sits high you may need to adjust your hitch down to bring the front of the trailer down.

Georgia is closer than half way for us ! Cleveland TN is our halfway point and you are south of that !

Scott

 

[ugadog99]

Thanks, bigdisneydaddy. We do have the tongue level. That was something my dad took care of right after he brought it home. I really think the problem is in the sway bar and the weight. The biggest issue once we get to the Fort is getting my dad away from the campground! He loves it so much and he's made it clear that just hanging at the Fort with the doxies is plenty for him.

 

[leprechaun]

Maybe a couple of practice trips will help build confidence in loading and traveling? I'm sure your father has as many fond memories as youself and can't wait to share them w/ his grand kids.
Enjoy