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Topic: Off Road Travel Trailers (Read 1241 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: Off Road Travel Trailers
Reply #25 –
Quote from: Wingersky  - 
Would the use of a weight distribution hitch make any difference?

As Larry said setup is critical.

You need a specific % of trailer weight as
Tongue weight (12% was the sweet spot if I remember without checking notes, but I think the range you had to be in was 10-15%).  Some
Hitches are a pain to set up each hookup, some are easier.  Some gadgets make it much easier.

There can be a big difference for some trailers if fresh water full/partial/empty (weight distribution matters), and sometimes drives worse when empty (eg dealer pickup) be full.
Not correct can mean death or so scary you will never pull a trailer again (I saw some of those videos / stories).

As you identify the trailer you are interested, jump on a users forum and read a LOT of posts about towing (get past the standard talk to the real experiences of issues especially in different scenarios - higher speed, winds, loaded or not loaded  trailer, payload too heavy, etc.).
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: Off Road Travel Trailers
Reply #26 –
I second everything Jane & Scott said. Especially with a single-axle trailer such as my 19' Airstream, weight distribution (fore and aft) is very important.

Many trailers have waste tanks on one end and a freshwater tank on the other. Take mine: waste tanks in the rear and water in the front. If I traveled with full waste tanks and an empty water tank, as might happen after an extended boondocking session, the trailer would be too light in front, and sway could be a problem. (That's why my Eaz-Lift hitch is fitted with an anti-sway bar.)

On the other hand, if I travel with a full water tank and empty waste tanks, the resulting excessive hitch weight could cause "porpoising," a condition where the front of the truck is too light and bounces excessively when going over bumps--and where the front wheels, which do the steering, don't have good traction. (That's why my Eaz-Lift hitch has weight-distributing bars--to move weight foward onto the truck's front end.) Even with a two-axle trailer, you have to watch these things.

I pull my trailer, which has a maximum weight (GVWR) spec of 4,500 pounds, with a Ford Ranger pickup. With the Eaz-Lift hitch properly adjusted, that works fine. For what it's worth, I average about 15 mpg when towing; 22 mpg when driving the truck alone.

Wingersky mentioned owning a 2017 F-150, but feeling more comfortable with the idea of towing the ORV 20BD with an F-450. That trailer has a GVWR of 9,995 pounds, which is more than a ton greater than my first (27') Airstream. The 2017 F-150 is a very nice truck--I used to own one. But an F-150, even with Ford's Max Tow and Max Payload packages, most likely would not be safe towing a trailer that heavy, even with a weight distributing/anti-sway hitch. On the other hand, an F-450 would be no fun to drive when not towing. I say that based upon my experience with an F-250. Driving that thing in town felt like maneuvering a battleship in a suburban marina. An F-450 would surely be worse.

So my advice is to not make the mistake I initially made by buying a truck that's marginal for the trailer you have in mind (in particular, look at rear axle ratings)... but don't just assume that the largest truck you can get will be best, because you won't enjoy the times when you need to drive into town for groceries, mail, or laundry errands. Whatever you get, you'll probably want a hitch with weight distributing and anti-sway features. A swaying trailer is terrifying. Quoting J&S, "Not correct can mean death or so scary you will never pull a trailer again (I saw some of those videos / stories)." Amen.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Off Road Travel Trailers
Reply #27 –
After quite a few years of not being able to order a new LD, my wife and I chose to put down a security deposit for a new Outdoors RV (OVR) 20BD Titanium Series travel trailer. The trailer should be ready for pickup by the end of this summer (2024).

From our research on the internet as well as joining the OVR Owners Group, the trailers are well-built. Only time will tell if the OVRs are as well built as the LDs.

Although it is not a LD, this group has taught me a great amount of knowledge, so thank you!
Sam
Re: Off Road Travel Trailers
Reply #28 –
Quote from: Wingersky  - 
After quite a few years of not being able to order a new LD, my wife and I chose to put down a security deposit for a new Outdoors RV (OVR) 20BD Titanium Series travel trailer. The trailer should be ready for pickup by the end of this summer (2024).

From our research on the internet as well as joining the OVR Owners Group, the trailers are well-built. Only time will tell if the OVRs are as well built as the LDs.

Although it is not a LD, this group has taught me a great amount of knowledge, so thank you!

What truck are you going to pull it with?
Jota
96 23.5 FL