**New** Possible windjammer purchase - Page 2

wicked1 · 02-29-2016, 01:08 PM

Just the battery and 20# propane bottles filled weigh close to 300#'s then add whatever you load up front of the RV closest to the hitch. My Shasta was a beast with nearly 1,100#'s of hitch weight, now my Roo comes in around 750-800 all loaded up and I have the Anderson hitch rated at MAX 1400/14000, I have it set just right for my trailer and I will never exceed max.

2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

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MCTroy · 02-29-2016, 03:57 PM

Yooroo, I have a new hitch on my wish list before fall. You are close enough to come get our old one! I will let you know. Good to hear someone else is using inherited parts. I " borrowed" this hitch from my dad about 15 years ago when he sold his camper.

Rjayfd · 03-01-2016, 07:16 AM

Been full-timing for a year and a half in a 3008 Windjammer with an Anderson hitch. No grease, no squeaks or groans, damps bounce and tows as well as my fifth wheels. Only issue is that you have to be pretty well aligned when hitching, or chains won't reach. Also, make sure you use plastic ties to keep eye bolts in plate from coming loose (don't ask how I know).

Pyromedic · 03-08-2016, 09:11 PM

Well, we went to the dealer today and put the down payment on the 3006. I got them to throw in the 12k equalizer hitch. They wanted to give me the 10k but, I told them the camper was under rated and is heavier than it says. The camper had some issues to be looked at so, we will be picking it up next week if everything goes as planned.

gectisme · 03-08-2016, 09:54 PM

Congrats on a very good choice!

If you get the dual battery take a look at the parallel jumper, ours was way too small a wire gauge and don't let the PDI tech tell you it is ok to leave the table up when towing...

MCTroy · 03-08-2016, 10:25 PM

Congrats! And welcome to the WJ club. I hope you have a great times in your new trailer. Good choice.

Pyromedic · 03-09-2016, 10:56 AM

Gectisme,
What table are you talking about? The dinning table? What happens if it's up when you're towing?

gectisme · 03-09-2016, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyromedic

Gectisme,
What table are you talking about? The dinning table? What happens if it's up when you're towing?

Yes, if you have the "U" dinette, make sure you stow it in it's holding spot, which is down and inserted like you are going to use the dinette as a bed. If you leave it up and don't secure it, it will walk it's way to the bathroom wall and knock against it as you tow. It wasn't too big a deal but it did put some scratches on the wall and table on a brand new unit... It was up as we were closing the unit up getting ready for the tow home and I specifically asked the PDI Tech if it should be stowed and he said "no, it will stay where it is at". It's pretty much common sense after I got home and saw what happened, sometimes common sense misses me.

Plus, you will learn how to fold the table legs, it is actually really easy - once you figure it out. If someone shows you, that's even better.

jblane56 · 03-09-2016, 11:09 AM

New to this world of camping. Have me worried now, I just received my 1000/10,000 Equalizer for towing a 2016 Windjammer 2008w. The literature tells me it was around 850 tongue weight, how does one actually determine a true tongue weight? Hope I didn't mess up as returning will upset the boss (wife).

Thanks for your input.

aceinspp · 03-09-2016, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCTroy

Congrats! And welcome to the WJ club. I hope you have a great times in your new trailer. Good choice.

X 2 And welcome to the V-nose family. Later RJD

D_B Travelers · 03-09-2016, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jblane56

New to this world of camping. Have me worried now, I just received my 1000/10,000 Equalizer for towing a 2016 Windjammer 2008w. The literature tells me it was around 850 tongue weight, how does one actually determine a true tongue weight? Hope I didn't mess up as returning will upset the boss (wife).

Thanks for your input.

Perhaps you meant a 3008W model? Guaranteed you are way over the 850# and this is just another case of the dealer/salesperson doesn't know what they should know.

That weight is the lightest that TT would ever be, kind of like a newborn weight. If you added any options such as front A/C it will add to the hitch weight. Also, the propane, battery, food in the kitchen, water in any of the tanks will affect (usually negatively) the hitch weight. I had to go to a 1400# to handle my 1150# ACTUAL hitch weight. Mine was supposed to be 880# per the specs and the salesman sold me a 1000# hitch also.

I worked hard and got a full refund because I purchased a new hitch from another dealer. Do a search on weighing the RV and you may also search for CAT scales to find the link. You may be near/over the towing limit on your TV also, so this is important to know.

jblane56 · 03-09-2016, 01:53 PM

Thanks D_B Travelers, my stomach is sick right now with this new information. I ordered my hitch off the internet and to return it will be costly. However, without a hitch I won't have a way to go do an actual weight of everything, so may have to use it for that as my previous hitch was sold with my previous trailer as I knew it was not proper for this new trailer. I have put myself into a dilemma due to my ignorance of travel trailer life.

So if you don't mind help me understand what the consequences are for using a hitch with incorrect rating. Are the components actually different? Is it merely being able to keep the truck/trailer on an even keel? My truck is a ram 2500, 5.7 hemi, extra heavy duty transmission cooler, 4.1 ratio, etc. I think I have the truck, just need to get this hitch straightened out. Thanks to all who may respond.

D_B Travelers · 03-09-2016, 02:41 PM

I understand completely and it caused me some grief also. With the 2500 Ram truck you have heavier springs than I did in my 1500 Sierra, but yes, it will make it more difficult to level everything up. That said, your TV will carry the extra hitch weight without sagging the TV very much in all likelihood.
I would hitch up with everything and everyone loaded as if you were leaving on a trip and go to a local CAT scale. Click this link and it will explain how to find the weights of your rig, there are lots of articles out there. I had weighed my TV the day before we picked up the 3001W and then stopped on the way home to make sure we were under the GVWR for the whole shebang. No problem, and we went happily on our way home. After several attempts to get the TV to level up for the next year, I looked back through my weight receipts and realized that our Day One hitch weight wasn't 880#, but 1075#.

And that was before my DW put all her clothes in the front closet!

Long boring story was we were leaving on a 30 day trip to the northwest and I knew we would be in the mountains; I wanted to have the correct hitch. I contacted Fun Town in Cleburne and they didn't have another, heavier, hitch in stock. I went to United RV in Fort Worth and had them install an Equalizer 1400# before the trip. Nice people and excellent service.

Upon my return I finally got Fun Town to accept and refund the money they charged me for the light hitch.
With the 2500 you may be fine, but the hitch will flex more than it should in my opinion causing bouncing or porpoising on the road. You might sell the current hitch locally or visit a local RV dealer about an exchange + $ deal. You are not in terrible shape, don't fret too much. Just be aware. And as I often repeat in these forums "You don't know what you don't know", this is especially true for first time buyers of RVs.

rockfordroo · 03-09-2016, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jblane56

Thanks D_B Travelers, my stomach is sick right now with this new information. I ordered my hitch off the internet and to return it will be costly. However, without a hitch I won't have a way to go do an actual weight of everything, so may have to use it for that as my previous hitch was sold with my previous trailer as I knew it was not proper for this new trailer. I have put myself into a dilemma due to my ignorance of travel trailer life.

So if you don't mind help me understand what the consequences are for using a hitch with incorrect rating. Are the components actually different? Is it merely being able to keep the truck/trailer on an even keel? My truck is a ram 2500, 5.7 hemi, extra heavy duty transmission cooler, 4.1 ratio, etc. I think I have the truck, just need to get this hitch straightened out. Thanks to all who may respond.

Give Equalizer a call. You MAY only need to get a heavier set of spring bars.

jblane56 · 03-09-2016, 04:07 PM

Thanks to all, I feel a little better now. I think I will proceed with the system I have to get some experience and then make the needed changes. The 2500 that I have was used to haul a 32' 5er, factory set up with proper hauling options. I will sleep a little better tonight. Thanks again.

dustman_stx · 03-09-2016, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Give Equalizer a call. You MAY only need to get a heavier set of spring bars.

Should be able to get 1200lb bars. I don't think anything else changes til you go to the 1400lb version.

Pyromedic · 03-10-2016, 10:12 AM

On another note, has anyone had any problems with the vinyl floor coming up. When we walked through we noticed down the center of the TT the floor had a raised bubble. The dealer has a week to figure it out and fix it. We aren't accepting it without it being fixed first. I'm just wondering how they are going to fix it. The floor is put down before the walls. I want it done right.

aceinspp · 03-10-2016, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jblane56

Thanks to all, I feel a little better now. I think I will proceed with the system I have to get some experience and then make the needed changes. The 2500 that I have was used to haul a 32' 5er, factory set up with proper hauling options. I will sleep a little better tonight. Thanks again.

At least you can install your present system and try it out and go from there. Later RJD

ov845 · 03-10-2016, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jblane56

New to this world of camping. Have me worried now, I just received my 1000/10,000 Equalizer for towing a 2016 Windjammer 2008w. The literature tells me it was around 850 tongue weight, how does one actually determine a true tongue weight? Hope I didn't mess up as returning will upset the boss (wife).

Thanks for your input.

Welcome to the family! Load it up and her for a spin to the CAT scales. You're going to take several measurements TV + TT w/ WDH connected, one without and one with TV only.

Happy Camping!

2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 5'7" Bed
Engine 5.7L Gear 3.92
Airlift 1000
2015 2809W Windjammer
Husky Centerline WDH

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