We bought a camper! (Towing question/help please!!!)

[charliez]

OMG, you and your whole family that's not even with your are going to die if you even think about towing that. There. It's been said and gotten over with. Now we can move on. You'll probably do fine. Get your hitch setup correctly, get a nice electric brake controller. Take it to a big parking lot along with some empty boxes. Set them up as corners and things you might be driving around and practice backing up and turning. If you get one oh well, just do better on the next turn and backup. Remeber the tail will swing wide as you make turns. Watch for that leaving gas pumps. Then at home, make your first trip camp driveway. Get used to how everything works, and load up what you need for 2 night in it, not what you want. You can easily take, plain and simple, too much crap that you don't need and will never use.

The tall front wind drag will probably be felt but just take it easy. That's what will hold you back the most. Make sure you religiously check tire condition and air pressure and wheel bearing. I've seen some come with not well enough packed bearings so after a few trips, pull a hub and check on them. Then plan to repack them once a year if you have a busy camping season

Then get loaded up and report back form somewhere cool, like this

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[WanderingJ]

Also if new at backing up, I use the bottom of the wheel to remind myself how the trailer will turn. dont hold at the top. hand at bottom, clockwise to turn trailer left, bottom to right to make trailer turn right. Im still a beginner so this helps me. Im sure it will come second nature eventually

 

[Rokon]

So how do you like your trailer? How has the towing experience been? You've had it a month…. must be something to follow up on.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've seen some come with not well enough packed bearings so after a few trips, pull a hub and check on them.

Yup - PJ trailers sent me a whole new axle assembly after I emailed them with pictures of my blown blue hub and shredded axle and brake parts hanging down on a maiden voyage with a brand new trailer. I pulled everything apart when I got home and there wasn't enough grease to fry up a pack of bacon between all of the remaining hubs.
They contacted me back after getting my email asking politely for their opinion on what may have happened- it wasn't even a complaint. They got back to me and asked for my address. End of the week I had a whole axle assembly ready to install. I think someone down there got a talking to LOL
Not only did the factory mess up, but the dealer didn't prep the thing, either.
Now I check annually, new or not, no matter the miles.
It was sort of my bad for assuming a new trailer from a dealership would be ready to pull- that's what assuming gets.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I also recommend the Redarc Brake Controller, installation wasn't difficult and it works great. I absolutely agree with the importance of balancing your load and total weight, however my situation is a bit different. My 31 gallon water tank is located behind the axle and I always make sure to fill it before I travel because it helps lowers the tongue weight. I also try to keep as much weight as possible distributed in storage behind the axle for the same reason. I have no problems with sway and don't use a WDH, but my trailer is only GVWR of 3,500 lbs (I actually pull it with a 2018 JLU) and fully loaded on my last 7 month trip was only 100 lbs over that GVWR. Just pointing out that different size trailers might require different approaches to weight distribution, but you should always try to stay under the GVWR.

All trailers do best with more than 50% weight ahead of the axle.
Unless you are carrying at least 8 to 10% of the trailer weight on the tongue, you are looking for a disaster you won't come out of. You can't change science or the laws of physics.
Why do you want to reduce tongue weight?
Look at the best trailers of any sort - the axle is more than 50% back on the trailer.
You are giving really very poor advice and that's why there's so much confusion out there. So you've not had sway - you have been lucky. It's pretty much that simple if you aren't running ~10% trailer weight on the tongue.

No, different size trailers don't require different approaches to weight distribution. That's really bad info.
The rule for almost any weight is 8 to 15% on the tongue - it does vary with trailer size and weight but for most, 8 to 10% is the rule and it's not "but I prefer doing it my way". No wonder there's so many fun Youtube videos out there of massive wrecks involving campers. Prime example here.

I suggest you don't even think about posting what you said in the RV forums, they'll rip you apart.

It only takes once........

 

[Punkn Expo]

All trailers do best with more than 50% weight ahead of the axle.
Unless you are carrying at least 8 to 10% of the trailer weight on the tongue, you are looking for a disaster you won't come out of. You can't change science or the laws of physics.
Why do you want to reduce tongue weight?
Look at the best trailers of any sort - the axle is more than 50% back on the trailer.
You are giving really very poor advice and that's why there's so much confusion out there. So you've not had sway - you have been lucky. It's pretty much that simple if you aren't running ~10% trailer weight on the tongue.

No, different size trailers don't require different approaches to weight distribution. That's really bad info.
The rule for almost any weight is 8 to 15% on the tongue - it does vary with trailer size and weight but for most, 8 to 10% is the rule and it's not "but I prefer doing it my way". No wonder there's so many fun Youtube videos out there of massive wrecks involving campers. Prime example here.

I suggest you don't even think about posting what you said in the RV forums, they'll rip you apart.

It only takes once........

Most of the weight in my particular trailer is closer to the tongue simply because of how the trailer is designed. The water tank and rear storage compartment are the only areas behind the axle. So it's recommended to travel with the water tank full to help take some excess weight off the tongue. Below is a pic of my fully loaded trailer and you can see that most of the trailer weight is well forward of the axle. The middle of the trailer is just a mattress, bedding and interior clothes storage. Most of the weight (including the spare tire, roof storage, fridge and batteries) is right up front over the tongue.

 

[CMac]

All trailers do best with more than 50% weight ahead of the axle.
Unless you are carrying at least 8 to 10% of the trailer weight on the tongue, you are looking for a disaster you won't come out of. You can't change science or the laws of physics.
Why do you want to reduce tongue weight?
Look at the best trailers of any sort - the axle is more than 50% back on the trailer.
You are giving really very poor advice and that's why there's so much confusion out there. So you've not had sway - you have been lucky. It's pretty much that simple if you aren't running ~10% trailer weight on the tongue.

No, different size trailers don't require different approaches to weight distribution. That's really bad info.
The rule for almost any weight is 8 to 15% on the tongue - it does vary with trailer size and weight but for most, 8 to 10% is the rule and it's not "but I prefer doing it my way". No wonder there's so many fun Youtube videos out there of massive wrecks involving campers. Prime example here.

I suggest you don't even think about posting what you said in the RV forums, they'll rip you apart.

It only takes once........

OMG…this is true. All of it.

If you guys are towing a tail-heavy trailer, you’re very lucky to still be alive and posting such horrible info, like advocating the movement of trailer’s CG behind the axle. Such antics will kill you—and likely others—deader that Elvis.

 

[RiverMtnBeach]

OMG…this is true. All of it.

If you guys are towing a tail-heavy trailer, you’re very lucky to still be alive and posting such horrible info, like advocating the movement of trailer’s CG behind the axle. Such antics will kill you—and likely others—deader that Elvis.

Percent weight on tongue also varies with number of axles. I had a single-axle TT that required a LOT of tongue weight (20%+) to keep it stable. Empty, it was a nightmare. Same with when the holding tanks for the rear bathroom were full. Ended up mounting rack over the tongue for generator, fuel, and extra water that worked great to balance it out.
Our new TT is a double-axle with about 8% on the tongue dry and it's fine. Loaded, the tongue is just under 600lbs, so about 11%, and really no difference in stability.

 

[GoBraves95]

So how do you like your trailer? How has the towing experience been? You've had it a month…. must be something to follow up on.

I drove the trailer back after our first trip for warranty. We have since got it back and taken another trip. It is definitely the right trailer for us right now with our dog and our 6 month old. The folding bunk is just what we needed for the pack and play. As far as towing goes, you can tell you are towing it most of the time, if that makes sense. The main thing I don’t like is when semi trucks (or sometimes even a car/pickup) pass at high speeds on the interstate. I have wondered if a max tow or rubicon would help. I did notice that on my multiple 100 mile trips to or from the dealer, the most recent two on my own, the longer I drove the more comfortable and in control I felt. Had to do a pretty hard swerve around some road debris a couple times and was kind of surprised when the anti sway hitch did it’s job and helped me straighten right back out. Definitely thankful for that.

 

[Viper501]

OMG…this is true. All of it.

If you guys are towing a tail-heavy trailer, you’re very lucky to still be alive and posting such horrible info, like advocating the movement of trailer’s CG behind the axle. Such antics will kill you—and likely others—deader that Elvis.

When I was a kid my uncle helped load a POS trailer for our move. On the interstate it started fishtailing because of the bad loading. My mom panicked and hit the brakes. Instant spin.

We all walked away from it but the brand new car was totaled and we were lucky it wasn’t us. Bad weight distribution of a trailer is far worse, and more dangerous to the occupants, than over loading a trailer. (Neither are a good idea) Having a few thousand pounds of ‘stuff’ with a mind of its own at 60 or 70 mph is a recipe for death.

 

[BennieD]

I pull a 6200 lb empty weight Winnebago with a 2022 Rubicon Highly recommend a Reese sway cam system. They will sway above 60 mph

 

[Labswine]

I have the BlueOx WDH/sway control system for my set up...27' Vantage Sonic SN220VRB and Overland.

Works great. No sway, even at 65 MPH and minimal to none when getting passed by a semi like I'm standing still.

 

[texanjeeper]

Nice trailer but I don't think you will like towing it. Pretty easy to load up a camper to gross and it is big.
Start adding up realistic numbers for a 3 day weekend….
Actually weigh your stuff, you'll see it adds up pretty quick.
375lbs water, 40lbs propane, food, beverages, bottled water, clothes, bedding, toys (adult & kids), camp comforts. Should ask if listed tongue weight is dry or gross.
Course some can be carried in the JT… but you have to watch weight there too. People, 155lbs gasoline, WDH weight, any mods or add ons, tools, recovery gear.
The frontal area of the trailer and aero drag take their performance toll too.
Where and for how long drive should be considered. Turnpike vs secondary. Elevation and grades.
To much trailer and weight really takes the fun out of it.
If it gets ugly and your over gross your insurance company will stop taking your calls….and lawyers will be calling.
Thats my free opinion.

But....but....what if he has a Max Tow package?

 

[Antrmo]

Get a good weight distribution hitch with sway control. I use a Curt. A good trailer brake setup that works and mirror extensions. I tow a similar load with my 2020 Rubicon. I do have Max Tow.

Good day, we have a wolfpup too. A 17JW. We tow with our 2020 sport S. What model is yours? (Camper) had amazon tow mirrors, they were not good, what kind did you get? Our camper dry weight is about 4500 i think.

 

[Lost1wing]

The dealer should have the WDH, most are adjustable these days. Last camp trailer I got the dealer to throw in the hitch as a package deal. They sat it up and had it all adjusted and ready to go when we picked up the trailer.
Don't forget sway control also. Some wdh have sway control built in, some don't.

The usual brake controllers take a bit of time to install. Unless you do the Bluetooth one, but then you need your phone or some other device at your finger tips to adjust the power gain and potentially hit the panic/override button.

The bluetooth brake controller I have has different profiles. It will remember your last used profile to make the connectio easy. They also have a stand alone bluetooth panic button so you don't need to keep your phone's display on for that purpose. Curtis hitch

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