Class C back to TT advice

[JaxJill]

Hi everyone. Planning on trading our beloved 2002 Class C (Coachman Leprechaun) that we’ve had for many years for a roomier and newer TT. Looking at a few in the 29’ range trying to stay at 7,700 max gross weight. Pulling with an F150 Sport pkg or Chevy Tahoe.
Now that we will be pulling again rather than driving, looking for advice on latest and greatest sway-bar brands and tips.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

A think you mean WD (Weight Distributing) hitch? The "bars" on those hitches are for weight management, not "anti-sway".

There are several excellent brands, e.g. Curt TruTrack, Reese Pro or Straitline, Equal-i-zer, & Fastway E2, to name a few.

 

[JaxJill]

Yes, thanks. I do mean the weight distribution hitches.
I want to get a good one to make sure we have the weight where it needs to be to ease any swaying and ensure we brake with ease.
Definitely doing our homework before buying. Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Any of them will do an adequate job of shifting (distributing) the tongue weight on the tow vehicle if properly adjusted. Sadly, the selling dealer often does not do a first class job of that, and even if he does it may need to be readjusted once you have your gear and water onboard. Tongue weight can change a LOT. Best to plan on re-adjusting once you get it home and loaded. Make sure you get and retain the hitch manual - it will have instructions for getting the weight distribution right. We also have a generic set of WD instructions in this sites RESOURCES section.

The difference in the better (and more expensive) brands is usually user convenience and some amount of anti-sway built into the hitch head, using the leverage of the spring bars to inhibit sway. The ones I mentioned all have the latter feature, but it's not a critical one. If the trailer is properly weight balanced so it has adequate tongue weight, it won't sway anyway. Adequate is 10%-12% of the trailer gross weight carried on the hitch ball.

 

[SpencerPJ]

Just be careful, as a F150 owner, pay attention to the payload available. I also recommend the longer wheelbase version. You will be at the upper end of easy driving with that setup and length. Good luck, sometimes the longer trailers cut corners to reduce weight, and that longer setup dicey in the wind with semi trucks, a good wdh with antisway will be essential.

 

[Mt2Wa&Back]

We purchased a new TT - 26’, 7800 lbs Max when loaded They installed an EZ Lift Elite Weight Distribution Hitch (#48051) + Sway Bar. TW Max of 800lbs so I’m a little (fill in blank) that they cut the TW Max so close and I think they should have installed an 800 series that has a 1000 TW Max to be on the safe side.
Other issues are that we have an SUV for a TV with a trailering package, which they were aware of and I have not yet been able to get the TV even close to level back to front (front wheel well is 3-4 inches above the back wheel wells. The minimalist instructions show how basic hitch adjustments are made e.g.) tilting the ball forward and back but nothing about what to try to balance/level out TV and TV with TT.. Getting the distribution bars up and into the hitch from below is a bit hard on the back and with so many cotter-pins and the chains or the chain bar (used to move the chain hooks up and down) slipping off the chain-hooks can be a little surprising at times, though we’ve learned to get more of the weight off the hitch first (the chains and bars will get loose) indicating you can remove chains with little effort. Same goes for attaching chains and once you have the length of chain needed (7 links for us), you can do that before you hitch the trailer. Anyway, I’ve banged-up my knuckles a bit with this model but it’s getting better. I’ve also found that the hitch is too small for our 2” receiver. Lots of movement and the hitch appears to be 1/16th” too small all around. I’m going to ask about that in a new thread.

The hitch itself is very well built and at least one RV site rates it 2nd best for 2024. But, it’s all for naught if I can’t get it working properly as we are experiencing considerable sway as well probably due to how light the TV front end is. I’m going to try customer support today.

I recently saw the Blue Ox BXW1000 SWAYPRO Weight Distributing Hitch (#1 rated on same site) at an RV dealership and it looks much easier to manage. The bars slide laterally/horizontally into their hitch sockets and secured by cotter pins. Also, the chain attaches to a roller mechanism that looks like it would be much easier and safer to manage.

I agree with an answer above that, unless your TT is an Ultra-light design, you may find that an F150 will be “just” enough to get you by but I think you’ll feel more confident in something with a little more power

 

[Bearcatrp]

You would be better off with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton crew cab. The crew cabs are very spacious. Pulling with a SUV is an accident waiting to happen. A half ton may do it but probably maxed out on weight. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Tulecreeper]

The OP hasn't been back since Sep 9th.