Canuck Camper

[Old Bones]

Hi,

I'm a newbie to the forum. Have read quite a few forum posts in the past and learned a lot of valuable information. Figured it was about time I joined up.

Last spring my wife and I purchased a 2013 Forest River Surveyor SP 296. This is the first travel trailer we have ever purchased. We hadn't been camping in over 30 years and loved every minute of it last year in our new trailer.

Things have really changed though from the days of camping in a tent or out the back of the truck.

Had a pretty steep learning curve with the new trailer, but we are fortunate to have friends that have been camping with travel trailers for quite a few years and they helped us with lots of advice and tips.

Even though the Surveyor SP 296 was listed as 1/2 ton towable, I did experience some challenges towing it with our 2010 Ram 1500 Laramie. The truck came with the towing package, however I had to add the factory trailer brake. I also had airbags installed in the rear suspension, before picking up the trailer.

The major problem we are encountering is sway and it's quite bad at times. We live in Saskatchewan which is very flat and usually windy. I'm making changes/adjustments to the truck to help with sway and will be seeking advice from the members on the forum.

Thanks

[nuisance]

What anti-sway setup do you have??????

[ependydad]

And, what weights do you have for the truck and camper? You need to spend some time dialing in your hitch to help stop the sway.

[Old Bones]

Nothing to really speak of. We only have the weight distribution hitch (800 LB RB2 Pro-Series Round Bar) that was installed by the dealer we purchased the trailer from.

The truck has integrated anti-sway, but I want to prevent it as much as possible before it happens.

When I contacted the dealer we purchased the trailer from, the said they hadn't heard of anyone else having sway problems with this trailer and the hitch setup we have. They think maybe the chains on WD hitch are to tight and taking to much weight off the back of the truck. They don't like to steer people towards anti-sway products because of the issues (getting bent, etc).

The tires on the truck are at a point they should be replaced, so I'm going to put on a tire with a heavier sidewall, which is a challenge in itself trying to find some for a 20" rim. I'm hoping the heavier sidewall will eliminate the squirmy feeling I was getting in the back of the truck at times.

Also thinking about changing out the shocks to something heavier. Was getting "porpoising" on some roads.

[Old Bones]

I haven't put the truck and trailer on a scale yet, but I'm certain it's not overloaded. Yes I'm going to back off the chains by one link to see if that makes a difference.

[Old Bones]

Off hand I can't remember the GVW for the truck. I'll have too look it up again.

The truck is rated to to haul 10,000 lbs and a tongue weight of 1,000 lbs. the trailer spec says 6800 lbs dry. .

We don't haul a lot in the back of the truck other than a cooler and a couple chairs. Usually it's just my wife and I and the two dogs.

I do haul the trailer full off fresh water that would work out to 300 lbs.

[fonzie]

Is this the trailer that you have? Also would be good to get more info on your truck for more help. I am not familiar with your wd hitch, hopefully others are.

SP-296RBDS - Surveyor Sport Travel Trailers

Dry Hitch Weight 746 lbs. (338 kg)
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 6,606 lbs. (2,996 kg)
GVWR TBA (TBA)
Cargo Carrying Capacity 4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg)
Exterior Length 34' 3" (10.4 m)
Exterior Height 11' 3" (3.4 m)
Exterior Width 96" (2.4 m)
Fresh Water Capacity 46 gal. (174 L)
Gray Water Capacity 40 gal. (151 L)
Black Water Capacity 30 gal. (114 L)
Awning Size 20 ft.

[Old Bones]

That's close. Not the same fresh water and grey water.

This is ours.

Exterior Length : 34' 3" (10.4 m)
Exterior Height : 10' 9" (3.3 m)
Exterior Width : 96" (2.4 m)
Awning Size : 20 ft.
Unloaded Vehicle Weight : 6,680 lbs. (3,030 kg)
Fresh Water Capacity : 36 gal. (136 L)
Gray Water Capacity : 30 gal. (114 L)
Black Water Capacity : 30 gal. (114 L)
Dry Hitch Weight : 675 lbs. (306 kg)
Cargo Carrying Capacity : 4,155 lbs. (1,885 kg)

[Old Bones]

Our truck is a 2010 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 Laramie with a 5.7 L Hemi, 3.92 gears and 20" wheels.

Curb weight is just under 5,500 lbs, GVW 6,700. Towing capacity is 9,950 - 10,000 lbs (depending on spec sites) and 1,000 lbs tongue weight.

[caper]

You 800# round bars most likely are part of the porpoising problem. My TT was also porpoising on some highways when loaded. i changed to 1000# bars and this stopped the up and down motion. There are parts of the TC highway in Sask. that will make you sea sick with the bounce. There are only 2 or 3 makes of hitches that will stop sway before it starts. Most sway control try to stop the sway after it happens. You might have to adjust the hitch by removing or adding washers to change the pitch of the ball. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[caper]

We have a 34'TT and have 2 friction sway control units. You have to take the sway bars off when backing up or you could bend the frame of the TT or damage the hitch head. If you are using a friction sway bar they recommend 2 if the trailer is over 28'.

[Old Bones]

Good to know, thanks caper. I may have to give that a try.

I've looked into the Hensley Arrow and ProPride 3P hitches, but are quite costly. The Reese Dual Cam hitch is more reasonably priced.

[caper]

Another hitch to look at is the Anderson NO sway hitch.

[Old Bones]

Originally Posted by caper

Another hitch to look at is the Anderson NO sway hitch.

Okay. I think I've heard of that one. If I recall it uses a friction fit system at the ball or something like that. Forgot about it. Will have to look it up.

[bikendan]

no one has mentioned the Equal-i-zer system, which is one of the 2 most recommended WDH's out there, along with the Reese Dual-Cam.
i love mine and lots of fans of them out in the RV world.

[RedDragon]

Welcome aboard

[MtnGuy]

I don't think the RB2 Pro-Series Round Bar WDH has any kind of built in anti-sway system. A WDH with integrated sway would be better, or maybe 2 anti sway friction bars may work. IMHO, a WDH with integrated sway control is better for that long of a trailer.

A loooong wheelbased truck would be beneficial also. I see where a Dodge 1500 is listed, but no mention of cab/bed configuration.

Also, the listed empty hitch weight compared to the total dry weight is minimal at best. 10% is considered the minimum, with 12 to 15% better for handling. That trailer will need to loaded front heavy as much as possible.

Once loaded for camping, 800 lb. bars may not be heavy enough.

[Old Bones]

No that WDH doesn't have any anti-sway control at all.

I should have posted more info about the truck. It's a quad cab with the 6' box.

The more and more I'm reading on the different threads I definitely want to get something to assist with the sway whether trailer dealership thinks it's a bad idea or don't think I need it.