New Starcraft

[garym053]

Just returned from a weekend trip to far northern NH, actually Wilsons Mills, ME. It was our first trip in the new Starcraft, and Mary was ready to sell it!!
It tows fine on secondary roads, but get on the Interstate going downhill and talk about SWAY! I thought we'd bought it coming home. Hit the manual lever on the brake controller and stepped on the gas a little and got out of it, but it was very nervewracking!
Think I need a Reese Mini 350 WDH, but will call the dealer tomorrow for recommendations.
Pretty sure I had the trailer loaded properly, may have had too much weight in the back of the Jeep, with kayaks on top, and grills, firewood, etc inside. I guess I'd trade the TV before I'd give up the yaks!
Any suggestions?
Are Coil Springs on a TV more prone to sway than leaf springs?

[Gone-Camping]

Sway is usually caused by the tongue being too light... add more weight to the front part of the trailer.
 
Another thing you could look at is to add a friction sway control. These usually can be a simple add-on to your trailer tongue and the receiver... The friction sway control in conjunction with more forward weight inside the trailer cure your troubles...

[raneill]

Hi Gary, I have a 2006 2406 and I pull it with a Toyota Tacoma 4 cyl. pickup. I have never had any sway on freeways or secondary roads. I do not use a WDH or any kind of sway control. When I took delivery of my PUP, I was told to keep the tongue a little heavy and the trailer level or slightly nose low when towing. I added another propane tank and another group 24 battery beside the originals on the front of the trailer. My tongue is slightly over 300lbs. Hope this helps, I really love our Starcraft and the ease which my little truck pulls it... ..Ron

[garym053]

Thanks Ron & Cliff!
I am pretty sure that I had the Jeep overloaded and the trailer tongue under loaded. I traded the Jeep Grand Cherokee for a Jeep Commander yesterday and cancelled the WDH that I had ordered. Checked the tire pressure on the Starcraft and one side had 47 PSI while the other had 52 PSI. Not sure this is enough to make a difference but plan to equalize them both at 55 or 60 PSI. OR should I go to the max of 65 PSI?

I've added a second battery to the A frame, (I need it for my CPAP for Sleep Apnea anyway) and am trying to figure out WHAT should go in the storage trunk! The 2404 doesn't have a lot of room for light stuff inside, such as sleeping bags, etc, so I'm kind of wondering how others pack the trunk!

Again thanks for the help!

['tiredTeacher]

Thanks Ron & Cliff!
I am pretty sure that I had the Jeep overloaded and the trailer tongue under loaded. I traded the Jeep Grand Cherokee for a Jeep Commander yesterday and cancelled the WDH that I had ordered. Checked the tire pressure on the Starcraft and one side had 47 PSI while the other had 52 PSI. Not sure this is enough to make a difference but plan to equalize them both at 55 or 60 PSI. OR should I go to the max of 65 PSI?

I've added a second battery to the A frame, (I need it for my CPAP for Sleep Apnea anyway) and am trying to figure out WHAT should go in the storage trunk! The 2404 doesn't have a lot of room for light stuff inside, such as sleeping bags, etc, so I'm kind of wondering how others pack the trunk!

Again thanks for the help!

Mesure tire pressure first thing in the morning and inflate to manufacturer's specs, which is in most cases the max as indicated on the tire. Remember two things: one, the manufacturer will put the cheapest tire he can on the trailer and, two, the tire has no idea what it's attatched to.

[garym053]

Towed fine with the trailer tires at 55 PSI (Max is 65), more weight on the tongue and the Jeep Commander, which, by the way, got 1 MPG better gas mileage towing with the 4.7L than I did with the JGC 4.0L!!!

Had an enjoyable trip to and from the campground, and a nice weekend camping with our daughter and grandchildren.

[raneill]

Hi again Gary,  How are you liking your Commander now. We were looking at them and really like what we see...Ron :U

[mars00XJ]

Hi again Gary,  How are you liking your Commander now. We were looking at them and really like what we see...Ron :U

We would like to know the same thing. We have 2 XJ's (Cherokee) and I am thinking I would like to make my next vehicle a Commander with the Hemi. This way we could go visit my brother in Seattle. I dont think my XJ would make it thru the mountains with a trailer. It had a hard enough time without.  :eyecrazy:

[garym053]

The Jeep Commander is great, so far! I really liked my JGC, expected to keep it another year or so, but got a good offer to trade for the Commander so I couldn't pass it up.
The Commander (4.7L) actually gets better gas mileage everyday AND towing than my JGC with the 4.0L. The ride is better, noise levels are reduced, but you still know you're driving a Jeep. (It REALLY IS a Jeep Thing!)
The stability system seems to work well, although I haven't gone 50 MPH and cranked the wheel to test it yet! One of my favorite things is the 6 Speaker Boston Acoustics system with the 276W amp! (In defiance of Jethro Tull, IF you are too old to rock and roll, you're ready to.... Well won't go there!)
One thing that took a while was to have the Brake Controller wired in. The dealership had never done one on a Commander and with the computer controlling everything, I think they had to ask Dr. Z! Anyway the controller (which I could not set the level on in the JPC wired in by the RV dealer) works great. Was easy to level and easy to set the power.
Oh, one last thing, even had a 50 year old cousin in the 3rd row seats last week, and while he said he COULD have used a little more leg room, head room was fine. he was resonably comfy on a 3 1/2 hour ride!

[mars00XJ]

Thanks for the info Gary. That will sure help when it comes time to upgrade.

[garym053]

You are welcome!

One problem I'm trying to solve now is how to adapt my Thule Kayak Carriers and Ski Carriers to the Factory system that the Commander has!

I may just give up and order the Factory kayak carriers. I think the ski racks could be mounted with carriage bolts in the T-Slots.