towing aides

[forestwalker]

Hi.We have purchased a large fold up trailer (Chalet) that weighs considerably more than what we have towed in the past.We will probably buy a sway control bar,and possibly a weight distribution hitch.Do any of you use either of the two,or a combination unit? Any comments,or suggestions about these towing aides would be helpful.
Thanks, Steve & Mary

[flyfisherman]

Hi.We have purchased a large fold up trailer (Chalet) that weighs considerably more than what we have towed in the past.We will probably buy a sway control bar,and possibly a weight distribution hitch.Do any of you use either of the two,or a combination unit? Any comments,or suggestions about these towing aides would be helpful.
Thanks, Steve & Mary

Would be a great help if you could post what kind of tow vehicle you have (and what it's rated to tow by the manufacturer if you know that) and the model and weight of your Chalet.  All real helpful information.



Fly

[forestwalker]

Would be a great help if you could post what kind of tow vehicle you have (and what it's rated to tow by the manufacturer if you know that) and the model and weight of your Chalet. All real helpful information.
 
 
 
Fly

Tow Vehicle =2001 Dodge Ram 1500,auto tran.Tow capacity=12,000 lbs.
Trailer=Chalet XL.Trailer weight,loaded=2,700 lbs.

[AustinBoston]

Tow Vehicle =2001 Dodge Ram 1500,auto tran.Tow capacity=12,000 lbs.
Trailer=Chalet XL.Trailer weight,loaded=2,700 lbs.

If you need either a sway bar or a WDH with that setup, something is terribly wrong.  I'd expect the only thing you really need is to have someone occasionally check to make sure it's still back there.

But if it helps with peace of mind, a simple sway bar would not do any harm.

Austin

[forestwalker]

Sorry-The gross combined weight rating is 12,500.The tow capacity is only 7,900.

[Brantime]

Tow Vehicle =2001 Dodge Ram 1500,auto tran.Tow capacity=12,000 lbs.
Trailer=Chalet XL.Trailer weight,loaded=2,700 lbs.

Greetings!

I want to commend you on your new trailer...sounds great!

However, I do think that you have some of your numbers listed incorrectly! You might want to check these before we can try to help you with any useful suggestions or "Opinions", lol.

From the Trailer Life web site:

http://www.trailerlife.com/downloads/01towingguide.pdf

You have the Dodge Ram 1500, and you  listed it with a tow rating at 12,000 pounds!!!

We need to know what size engine that this Ram has in it!
The 1500 with a 3.9 cc. has a tow capacity of 3,900 lbs.
with a 5.9 cc the TC is listed at 7,900 lbs.

I can see this truck handleing this trailer very nicely, however, don't let some misinformation get you into a towing quandry that could turn hazardous very quickly with too much weight!

Recheck your numbers and then have fun camping!

[forestwalker]

Thanks, I appreciate the "Heads-up",and have rechecked.Our truck is a 1500 quad cab with a 5.2L V-8 engine.

Our owner's manual says that the GCWR is 12,500, and that the max. trailer weight is 7,500 for our vehicle,which is a short bed with autommatic transmission.

[flyfisherman]

Thanks, I appreciate the "Heads-up",and have rechecked.Our truck is a 1500 quad cab with a 5.2L V-8 engine.

Our owner's manual says that the GCWR is 12,500, and that the max. trailer weight is 7,500 for our vehicle,which is a short bed with autommatic transmission.

Doing the basics like the right hitch height, correct tire pressures and proper weight loading, your Dodge pick'em-up ought to be able to handle that Chalet with ease.  Still a good idea to do the sway bar as some trailers lend themselves better to being towed than others.  A friend of mine had just opted for one of those new high sided popups - traded in his older, lower sided model - and he says he can tell a difference going down the interstate when passing or getting passed by an 18-wheeler. The newer camper, with those higher sides, wants to "wander" a little with the side winds.



Fly

[ForestCreature]

First off Congrats on the XL...nice camper!

I'm thinking you'll be just fine. IF the Chalet XL is as well balanced as our Alnier LXE (2400 lbs,loaded).. The size diff between them is 2 ft (I think).
We have a 5.8l V8, E 150, no sway bars or WDH, and it pulls like it's not there.

Enjoy the new toy!

[SherryandFamily]

We used to tow our Utah with an S10 Blazer and we needed a sway bar for sure!
Now we have a Nissan Titan and I believe the towing capacity is around 9,000 lbs. No sway bar needed for the Niagara.  I don't know the weight of our popup compared to yours,  but the Niagara weighs way more then the Utah and we keep it loaded down pretty good.  
No need for a sway bar at all.

Sherry