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Old 01-14-2019, 09:01 PM   #1
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TT Rear Kitchen Towing

I have a 2017 FR Wildcat 311RKS!!

This is our second TT. I had no issues pulling a similar TT, but it wasn’t a rear kitchen model.

Two summers ago, I took my family on an 800 mile trip in our new travel trailer. Let’s just say it was a “white knuckle” driving experience on the highway. Top speed was 55 mph (which was fine), but the camper was all over the place.

We camp a lot, but we don't pull the rv very often...= permanent spot at a campground...

For our next trip...My question is: How can I improve the driving experience with this rear kitchen setup?

I have a 2015 Ford F 150 XLT = 10,200 rating

Anti-sway system hitch rated at 10k

Wildcat= 6735+730 (hitch) + 2,795 (ccc) = 10,260

We travel lite=500 pds (150 just for my tools)= All in at about 8,000 for us.

Before we hit the road, a friend talked me into installing Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs. He said it would improve the ride and safety.

I think this was a mistake and a waste of time and $. I think I made the driving problem worse.

On the trip, I adjusted the air springs in every way possible. Nothing worked. The best option was the minimum 10 pounds on both sides.

I know I need more tongue weight in the front of the TT.

Beyond putting sand bags, the spare tire and the pots/pans up front, do you have any suggestions on this issue?

My wife won’t do another trip, unless I fix the problem. Btw: She just had to have the rear kitchen model. Lol.

Any opinions on your experience would be appreciated!!
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Old 01-14-2019, 09:13 PM   #2
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As opposed to sand bags, you could try adding water to your fresh water tank if it's in front of the axles. I'm assuming your tires are all properly aired and in good condition? If you have a way to check your axle weights, maybe the rear trailer tires are not up to the weight of the rear kitchen?
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Old 01-14-2019, 09:15 PM   #3
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Get rid of the P rated tires on your truck and go with LT.
More tongue weight would almost certainly be beneficial if you can stay within the hitch and payload ratings of your truck.

That is a big trailer for your truck...
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Old 01-14-2019, 09:18 PM   #4
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Have you tried to set up the WDH without air in the bags? Start there to fine tune your set up. Also, everyone will recommend LT tires and about airing at least the rears to 60-65 lbs.
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Old 01-14-2019, 09:24 PM   #5
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I don't think the rear kitchen has much to do with your problem. We have a Surveyor RK and don't see any difference pulling it from our previous mid kitchen model. You have a 34' trailer! Was your previous trailer that long? I don't know your trucks ability but it seems to me that you have a lot of trailer behind a 1/2 ton truck. Someone with more knowledge on what you can tow will jump in here and give you some help. Good luck and Be Safe!
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Old 01-14-2019, 09:50 PM   #6
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Without knowing the exact numbers on your tow vehicle I'm going to suggest that you are pulling to much trailer for your F150. It would help if you posted the payload numbers on the yellow sticker on the drivers side door jamb. Still, a 34ft trailer is 3/4 ton TV territory.

My .02
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Old 01-14-2019, 10:09 PM   #7
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Rear kitchen trailers are rear-heavy, so they tend to sway.

You probably need to readjust your WDH setup, and put more weight up front,
although I agree with the others...

You bought to much trailer for your truck!

You are in 3/4-ton truck range with that trailer.
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Old 01-14-2019, 10:20 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HangDiver View Post
Without knowing the exact numbers on your tow vehicle I'm going to suggest that you are pulling to much trailer for your F150. It would help if you posted the payload numbers on the yellow sticker on the drivers side door jamb. Still, a 34ft trailer is 3/4 ton TV territory.

My .02
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Old 01-14-2019, 11:03 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HangDiver View Post
Without knowing the exact numbers on your tow vehicle I'm going to suggest that you are pulling to much trailer for your F150. It would help if you posted the payload numbers on the yellow sticker on the drivers side door jamb. Still, a 34ft trailer is 3/4 ton TV territory.

My .02
x3! How do you know your F150 can tow 10,200lbs?
A 34' TT with a F150 is not a great combo.
I tow a 27' rear kitchen TT with my F150 and I have NO so-called rear kitchen issues.
But I would NEVER tow your trailer with mine and I have the 3.5 Ecoboost with Max Tow package and 1828lbs of payload capacity.
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Old 01-15-2019, 05:14 AM   #10
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What you have is a poorly designed (floor plan)trailer that’s prone to sway due to high yaw inertia. Changing the loading may help some, changing the hitch might help some, but ultimately you’re still stuck with a poorly designed trailer.
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Old 01-15-2019, 06:08 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dustyhd View Post
What you have is a poorly designed (floor plan)trailer that’s prone to sway due to high yaw inertia. Changing the loading may help some, changing the hitch might help some, but ultimately you’re still stuck with a poorly designed trailer.
Please relate what you think makes the OP's trailer, a "poorly designed floorplan".
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and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
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4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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Old 01-15-2019, 06:08 AM   #12
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Manufacturer's claimed dry weights can be very deceptive in their efforts to entice you into buying. Our first trailer, a 25' microlite, at a claimed dry weight of 4300# and towed by a half ton actually weighed more than 4800# when weighed on the CAT scales. This combination turned out to create a very unpleasant towing experience for us, so we upgraded to a gas F250. The towing experience improved vastly with the new combination. Last year, we bought a new 5th wheel with a claimed dry weight of 8300#. The rig was stable while towing, but the power just didn't seem to be there. Again across the scales we went and discovered the trailer, very lightly loaded with a few dishes and clothes, actually weighed 9600#. We recently bought our current tow vehicle which ended our problem. I share all of this to say I wouldn't be surprised if your trailer loaded actually weighs close to 9000#. A trailer your size is not only heavy for a half ton truck, its length helps to make it behave like a sail in some conditions. My advice is to weigh the trailer, and if it is much heavier than your truck, replace it with a heavier truck.......... or downsize to a smaller trailer. Good Luck Rick
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Old 01-15-2019, 07:51 AM   #13
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We love our rear kitchen set up and don't have a prob with sway at all. It's a very good design.
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Old 01-15-2019, 08:13 AM   #14
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Before you go out and DUMP a carp load of money on a NEW truck, a $3000 hitch, Try out the sand bag trick. Add a 100 or so lbs to the front of the trailer and take it out for a run on the hwy. If you're still having issues, then think about stepping up your tires, hitch or your truck. Always start with the simplest things first. Now granted...that is a lot of TT for the truck, I would've been inclined to step up to a 250 / 2500 for something that big. The added weight worked on my B.I.L's trailer with the rear Kit, but we're also talking about a shorter, 6K loaded trailer and a F150.
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Old 01-15-2019, 08:29 AM   #15
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Here is link. Note the trailer loading section. Rear kitchen floor plans put a lot of weight on the rear that requires weight forward to offset.
https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car...eavy-trailers/
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Old 01-15-2019, 12:38 PM   #16
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Great information!! I will test TT in the summer.
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Old 01-15-2019, 12:47 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HONDAMAN174 View Post
Have you tried to set up the WDH without air in the bags? Start there to fine tune your set up. Also, everyone will recommend LT tires and about airing at least the rears to 60-65 lbs.
Air bags minimum is 10 pounds per side.
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Old 01-15-2019, 12:48 PM   #18
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Ty. Previous trailer was 28 ft.
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Old 01-15-2019, 12:51 PM   #19
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Old 01-15-2019, 01:06 PM   #20
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There's a big difference between a 28' RV and a 34' RV.

Have you actually weighed the combination? If not, start there. Then you'll know exactly what you're working with.

Second thing is as mentioned above, change the tires out to LT tires. Or change the truck out to a 250/2500!

Also, if your fresh water tank is behind the axles, like ours is, tote as little water as you can.
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