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Old 06-17-2022, 05:10 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by Sammici View Post
Yes, [porpoising] happens occasionally, not all the time.
I see your tow vehicle and trailer in your profile but can't find mention of what hitch you're using, in this thread. Tell us that, and how it's configured, i.e., angles, washers, chain links, spring bar details, etc. I use those terms loosely because different manufacturers use different designs.
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TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars

Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)

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Old 06-17-2022, 05:35 PM   #22
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How much weight are we talking about here?

Based on your profile, your tow vehicle / trailer combination leaves plenty of margin. I'll venture to say that - unless you're looking at several hundred pounds - you won't notice a difference where the weight is.

I used to pull a ~7,000lb bumper pull travel trailer with a Silverado 1500. I almost always loaded a ~420lb motorcycle in the trailer itself, but one time, I had to have it in the truck bed instead. The truck didn't handle any differently. I've had the trailer loaded with up to 3 full-sized motorcycles, varying capacities of fresh / black / grey tanks, and I could barely ever tell the difference. I was always within spec for my tow vehicle, though, and I used a weight distribution hitch and a sway bar.

Weight distribution is key when you're talking about a lot of it, or when you're already at the limits of your equipment.

By the way: the YouTube videos that float around showing the impact of weight distribution offer an impactful visual, but they're slightly exaggerated. They make it look like your entire rig is going to oscillate wildly and uncontrollably if you dare load anything anywhere than the optimal position.
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Old 06-17-2022, 06:25 PM   #23
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Went to a local scale when I purchased the Ram last year. With me and onboard accessories curb weight was 5350#. When DW, dog and typical gear are onboard,including hitch and trailer that’s another 1000#. Payload is 1778# and GVWR is 6800#on the door sticker. Almost 500# payload left.
The trailer was weighed when we first had it hooked up to a different vehicle. Loaded down with our gear and food it was 3800# The hitch weight without water is about 650#. And waste tanks empty. Yellow sticker GVWR is 4400#.
The EAZ lift recurve R3 has a 2” ball. It has 400# spring bars rated up to 600. I think I need the 600# bars but nobody has them in stock only the 1000# bars are available. I believe they will damage my frame.
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Old 06-17-2022, 09:50 PM   #24
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... The hitch weight without water is about 650#.

The EAZ lift recurve R3 has a 2” ball. It has 400# spring bars rated up to 600. I think I need the 600# bars but nobody has them in stock only the 1000# bars are available. ...
Your tongue weight, without water, is higher than the bars you seek. With water, it will be even higher.

EAZ doco shows the 600# spring bar has a max of 800# and the 800# bar has a max of 1000#. That's the upper limit but it doesn't mean you can't use one at the upper range of the next smaller. 800# bars may work well, are unlikely to damage the frame, and may fit a future, larger trailer, too.

I have a Propride hitch, totally different, bought used. I purposely traded down from 1400# bars to 1000# bars for my 26' Mini-Lite. That was a mistake. On my current trip I bought the 1400# bars and finally found the configuration sweet spot you're looking for. My point is that you may benefit from stronger bars than you think you'll need

You can find a pair of 600# bars here. That vendor does not list 800# bars.
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TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars

Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)

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Old 06-18-2022, 06:37 AM   #25
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Thanks ChrisC,
The link you sent as all the others I've tried, all come back out of stock. I can't even find 800# only the 1K which are only $120.
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Old 06-18-2022, 07:37 AM   #26
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According to this post on the forum about expert advise regarding WDH

"Expert" answer describing tongue weight
https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...d.php?t=250165

If I include the weight of the TT with the WDH and in the bed behind axle gear I’m pushing 800#. That the leaves me some room for some FW in the tank that sits about 5 ft from tongue.
Unless I want to buy a new hitch for 500 just for the bars but, I can swap out mine and get 1K bars for 125.
Any opinions?
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Old 06-18-2022, 09:50 AM   #27
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Well I broke down and bought the R3 600lb set. Home Depot had the complete WDH setup for $388.
I’ll try to sell the old setup on Craigslist. Thanks all for your input.
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Old 06-18-2022, 09:54 AM   #28
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Well I broke down and bought the R3 600lb set. Home Depot had the complete WDH setup for $388.
I’ll try to sell the old setup on Craigslist. Thanks all for your input.
I hope this helps. It still requires some tweaking and you might not find that sweet spot immediately.
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TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars

Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)

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Old 06-20-2022, 07:44 PM   #29
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Well I broke down and bought the R3 600lb set. Home Depot had the complete WDH setup for $388.
I’ll try to sell the old setup on Craigslist. Thanks all for your input.
If you don't get it right immediately, don't despair.

I left a campground this morning with partially full holding tanks. I don't normally do that but there was no dump station.

The shift in weight made it squirrelly with the usual settings. After I stopped to take some tension off the springs, it was much better. (A Propride hitch makes it easy to adjust on the fly.) In fact, it was better than usual. I think maybe the trailer likes a little ballast in the back.
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TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars

Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)

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Old 07-04-2022, 12:11 PM   #30
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UPDATE with the heavier bars.

Made a big difference with the 600# spring bars on our trip to the Poconos.
No more bouncing. Had 650# on the tounge and 450# in the bed.
The DW was very happy with the results.
Happy 4th everyone!
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Old 07-04-2022, 02:51 PM   #31
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UPDATE with the heavier bars. ... The DW was very happy with the results. ...
Glad to hear of the improved domestic harmony.
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TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars

Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)

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Old 07-04-2022, 08:37 PM   #32
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Originally Posted by Sammici View Post
UPDATE with the heavier bars.

Made a big difference with the 600# spring bars on our trip to the Poconos.
No more bouncing. Had 650# on the tounge and 450# in the bed.
The DW was very happy with the results.
Happy 4th everyone!
Great. Thanks for getting back with us and posting the update. Hope you had a great 4th.
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