Just purchased my first camper and have questions.

[PlayfulBird]

@PlayfulBird funny story…

When I bought my first Porsche we did the European delivery. Our customer rep went into great detail on how to drive on the Autobahn and also warned us to not exceed 4000rpm for the first 2000 miles in order to properly break in the engine.
So here we are driving down the highway in the center lane at 4000 rpm going 102mph when all of a sudden a big brown egg shape vehicle blows by us in the left lane. My wife said “WTF was that?” to which I responded, “Honey, we just got passed by a Dodge mini van”!

I’ll never forget her reaction…

That was 20 years ago this month!

There are a few v8 sleeper family couches here still fun when someone revs at you in their lil ford rt

Breaking in the Gladi the way we wanted was painful ? people were not so happy, I mean even on the normal back roads are unless marked or going through a town 62 mph

I did say not all vehicles are made for German driving, but people here sure do test all manner of vehicles limits ?

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[Curt Oz]

There is a group on Facebook for Jeeps and geopros.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/509315616286336/?ref=share
There is also a group for Geopros.
You'll get a ton of information and they'll answer most questions.
Happy camping ?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/766182846920498/?ref=share

 

[aprez27]

Congrats, you will love that trailer. We have a G19FBS Geo Pro roughly the same weight and use just a Husky WDH with no problems at all. The Gladiator has electronic sway control built in so i didn't bother getting the sway control attachment. I also installed Air Lift air bags in the rear springs which makes a big difference also.

Almost like looking in the mirror. Glady is the same color too. We looked at the 19 as well, I wasn't 100% sold on the murphy bed but never opened it up. Just watched a video and it's pretty cool. Also wanted the couch, if I'm not mistaken you have the dinette in that one.

 

[aprez27]

There is a group on Facebook for Jeeps and geopros.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/509315616286336/?ref=share
There is also a group for Geopros.
You'll get a ton of information and they'll answer most questions.
Happy camping ?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/766182846920498/?ref=share

Thanks for that info.

 

[Finiti]

Almost like looking in the mirror. Glady is the same color too. We looked at the 19 as well, I wasn't 100% sold on the murphy bed but never opened it up. Just watched a video and it's pretty cool. Also wanted the couch, if I'm not mistaken you have the dinette in that one.

Ours has the couch on the slide and full size queen bed. We love it, perfect size for my wife and I and our 2 dogs.

 

[Osteodoc08]

I’ve been looking at that series but in a bunkhouse model for my 2 boys.

I had a 32 footer I towed with my previous truck. Definitely can’t do that with my Gladiator.

 

[aprez27]

Ours has the couch on the slide and full size queen bed. We love it, perfect size for my wife and I and our 2 dogs.

I liked the rear entrance on yours too.

 

[aprez27]

That didn't come out right.

 

[Louie4]

I don’t think I’ll give you any thing new in terms of information but I have a small Jayco Featherlite Ultra. It’s about 3,100 lbs and got it used. It came with that small friction sway bar and I prefer having it versus not. I have the Redarc brake controller and some cheapie mirror extensions and it tows fine.

 

[aprez27]

First trip was a short one but a success. I went with the Blue Ox SwayPro and barely noticed the trailer on the back, Mopar brake controller I installed worked flawlessly. Now to get used to parking it. Took a while to get it into a tight spot at my storage facility, but there were some lessons learned, and a lot of cursing. Next up, a little more lift for the Jeep.

 

[Hank_]

Great looking set up. I just got back from the Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan with my GeoPro 15TB. Awesome little trailers. I went with the Redarc brake controller and it worked flawlessly. I also went with the Andersen hitch. I specifically did not want to deal with torsion bars and all the extra weight involved and I'm glad I went the Andersen. No torsion bars and very fast and easy to hook up. No creaking and moaning when turning too.

Happy camping,

Hank

 

[aprez27]

Very nice!

 

[Jaxmax]

Another minor tip, after walking into my awning brace a bunch of times, I cut orange pool noddles to fit on the bottom edge and stick down a bit for a visual thing it works, you can see them in my picture in post 14 on this thread. They did tell you to tip your awning down on one side in case it rains I'm sure. Looks great glad you did good, it will get better every trip. Just don't get caught up in trying to take too much stuff, stay minimal, stay light, stay easy setup!.....Jack

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Not going to tell you not to bother with the anti-sway. If you’re new to towing, you probably will benefit from one. It will give you a little more confidence when you’re driving. If it was much bigger, I’d probably say get one.
However, I’ve been towing trailers from 30’ to 10’ for around 30yrs. I’ve never used one for anything smaller than the one I have now. I currently have a 2020 max tow and have a 19’ jayco (around the same weight, maybe more?) towed from CT to ME, VT, NH, and PA. I have not needed any ant-sway or weight distribution for this trailer. I will also be doing a 2 week trip in August to TN. I once had a sales person tell me to get one for a 12’ r-pod. No I did not. I couldn’t even tell it was behind me. I’d forget I was towing it.
If you have never towed, it will be a new experience. The truck and trailer will move around differently with or without the ant-sway. I don’t think any dealership will ever not recommend one because they make money and it’s easy to play on your fears and inexperience.
My advice would be, if it starts to sway, let off the gas. Don’t use the brake thinking that it will help. Don’t make any sudden moves. It will be okay if you hit the squirrel in the road. If it’s a child or another car, you have bigger things to worry about!
Hopefully, a few people here will give you their opinion and you can go with what the majority recommend.
I’d say yes if you have the money to burn. No if you’re trying to save a couple bucks. If possible, hook it up without one and take it for road test. Go over some open bridges where you get alot of cross wind. You can always go back and get one if thing seem to uncomfortable.

Load it properly and the risk of sway is greatly reduced. If it does, applying trailer brakes ONLY can pull it straight again.
Sway is too often the result of improper weight distribution on the trailer. There's great sites out there, Redarc has an excellent booklet on proper towing and I bet they have it online as well.

WDH - that's a different animal and on a high rig like a camper, will help keep weight on the steering axle.

I have real issue with most "camper sales" outfits - they sell stuff and seldom actually know how to tow anything or even do proper hookups. They sell stuff. They are like car dealers, sometimes worse.
With a single axle rig I'd definitely want a WDH with these light trucks and a tall thing like a camper.

next best advice - ignore those who say you MUST keep up the speed limits. I will not tow faster than 65 - in fact, that used to be a speed limit for any towing in most states years ago. No one has to go faster and doing so is irresponsible.




Here I am weighing the trailer tongue - loaded. Measuring, not guessing.....

 

[danimal2000]

Congrats on the camper! We upgraded to 23ft forest river salem a month ago, 4200lb dry. Definitely notice it back there, certainly more than our previous 3000lb/18ft but no real issues towing it. Glad to see you got a WDH, I have an equalizer e2. Yes it's noisy but it's simple to setup and hitch up.

Another tip, especially single axle, be mindful of your tires! Check pressure often, maybe get a tpms. Often the tires that come with from the factory are cheap and already close to max load. I am always mindful of my speed and load but had blowout on a single axle, not fun at all. Dinged the frame and messed up the siding, got a water leak, knock on effects just kept showing up. Was repaired to be safe and usable but pretty much destroyed any trade in value when we upgraded.

Check your roof and edge seals and caulking often, especially if you store outside. A water leak will ruin a camper!

Nice looking setup maybe I'll see you out there, enjoy!

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