Taking my new TT and TV on their first trip!

[Jmeyers278]

Hey guys, I bought a new TT in November and bought a new TV last week. I am taking them on their first trip tomorrow and think I got everything ready to go. TT is a 2019 29rkws and the TV is a 2019 Silverado LT 4x2 5.3l with the 8 speed trans.

Towing Specs on the truck are...
11,600lbs towing capacity with 2,102lbs payload capacity

TT weighs 7,148 dry and has a 770lb hitch weight.

Here is what I have done....
I added the air lift 5,000 ultimate helpers on my truck
Set up my Curt WD hitch using all current measurements. On flat pavement, the way I am loaded (which is fairly light as far as cargo goes), I am a 1/4 bubble low toward the front of the trailer and the truck is sitting almost dead level with 12lbs of air in the bags.

TT tires are at max cold

TV tires are at max cold in the rear and 5 lbs lower in the front.

Is there anything else I'm forgetting? I usually like to do a short trip with a new truck or tt to shake everything down but I don't have that choice this time.

Thanks!

[Reverse_snowbird]

Sounds like you've done everything right.

If that tt has a roadside assistance plan, make certain that you've got all the information you need to call them in case something happens.

Bring a credit card to buy anything you've missed and have fun!

[Jmeyers278]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

Sounds like you've done everything right.

If that tt has a roadside assistance plan, make certain that you've got all the information you need to call them in case something happens.

Bring a credit card to buy anything you've missed and have fun!

I appreciate it. I am just being as cautious as possible as I really have no clue how either will tow. This is a work/fun trip combined and I want to make it less stressful if I can. I brought my torque wrench to check the lugs at our first stop and tools to double check all of the bolts on the air bag system just in case

[upflying]

Let us know how it goes, I am interested in that TV too.

[Chief T]

Congratulations. Gotta ask though, but is there not a break in period for the new TV?

[Jmeyers278]

Originally Posted by Chief T

Congratulations. Gotta ask though, but is there not a break in period for the new TV?

It’s past that. I leased it but it was the service loaner. Has 2,200 miles on it

[markb5900]

Originally Posted by Jmeyers278

It’s past that. I leased it but it was the service loaner. Has 2,200 miles on it

Sounds like you did everything possible to be ready.
Have a great trip!!!

[goduc]

Those are dry weights. What are you loaded weights?
Also you need to measure the front of the trucks fender well to make sure you return enough weight. Using a level does nothing. How do you know the ground is level?
Ditch the air bags, they do nothing for weight transfer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBZu...ature=youtu.be

[markb5900]

Don't like to argue but, when you put a level on the ground it is level or it is not!
For a normal, buy a Lowes level, being a 1/4 bubble off it just fine for any trailer or motor home.

[goduc]

I prefer to measure the trailer frame at the front and rear. Takes all the guess work out.
I also measure the fender wells. Numbers don't lie.
I do use a level when setting up at the CG.

The reason I wouldn't use air bags with a WDH is that they remove weight from the spring bars. If using a WDH with built in sway control then you remove friction.

[markb5900]

Originally Posted by goduc

I prefer to measure the trailer frame at the front and rear. Takes all the guess work out.
I also measure the fender wells. Numbers don't lie.
I do use a level when setting up at the CG.

Your the one that said a level does nothing!!!!!
Yes, to set up a WDH, you need to measure, then hook up, measure again, then adjust the hitch, measure again, adjust, measure again and keep doing that till you get the angle right and the height right, then get the chains right!

[Jmeyers278]

Originally Posted by goduc

I prefer to measure the trailer frame at the front and rear. Takes all the guess work out.
I also measure the fender wells. Numbers don't lie.
I do use a level when setting up at the CG.

The reason I wouldn't use air bags with a WDH is that they remove weight from the spring bars. If using a WDH with built in sway control then you remove friction.

I always use airbags on my trucks. I don’t put much air pressure on them. Just enough to take some of the bounce out. They are rated for up to 100psi and I have 12 or so in it. I did measure the wheel wells and without the wd bars hooked up vs with them hooked up I dropped almost 2” in the front.

[Jmeyers278]

Originally Posted by goduc

Those are dry weights. What are you loaded weights?
Also you need to measure the front of the trucks fender well to make sure you return enough weight. Using a level does nothing. How do you know the ground is level?
Ditch the air bags, they do nothing for weight transfer.

I used the level on the trailer frame to make sure it was level or nose down a touch. The ground is levelish. Big concrete slab at our storage place they poured for their truck scale

[goduc]

Are you using a friction base WDH? If so then airing up the bags reduces friction.

[Jmeyers278]

Originally Posted by goduc

Are you using a friction base WDH? If so then airing up the bags reduces friction.

. Just a round bar curt with no sway control

[goduc]

Originally Posted by Jmeyers278

. Just a round bar curt with no sway control

I would highly recommend getting some form of sway control. Your TT is almost 34' long and will weigh close to 8,000 lbs loaded up. That IMO is 3/4 ton territory. But since you already have a truck then getting a good WDH with built in sway would be an option. I'm not in favor of those add on friction plates but two would help. Two are required for a TT that long. Rear kitchens tend to load heavy in the rear and mitigating sway is paramount.

[SimchaSabre]

You mentioned your new tow vehicle is only a week or so old. Most manufacturers don't recommend a formal break-in period anyone, but You may want to consider a few brief non towing break-in trips. I plan on putting 200-300 non towing miles on my new RAM before towing the new 5th wheel.

[Jmeyers278]

Originally Posted by SimchaSabre

You mentioned your new tow vehicle is only a week or so old. Most manufacturers don't recommend a formal break-in period anyone, but You may want to consider a few brief non towing break-in trips. I plan on putting 200-300 non towing miles on my new RAM before towing the new 5th wheel.

My truck was a service loaner. Has 3,700 miles on it now. We are at our first stop. So far so good! Front end of this truck is super squishy. Other than that, it’s going good