2022 Flagstaff E-Pro 20BHS Newbie

[Sid_the_Cat]

Hi All,

First trailer for the family, wife and 2 kids under 4. Hope to use it to get out and explore the Mountain West, both on and off the pavement, until my kids get too cool for school. Trailer is on order a few months out. Just diving in and learning as much as I can. Luckily I get to spec my own batteries so thinking about a pair of Lion energy Safari UT 1300's. Should last an easy 3-4 days of reasonable boondocking with a 190v solar setup.

Question on towing. I have a 2011 Ram 1500 V8 Hemi rated at 10,000 lbs. This trailer is pretty lean at around 3,600 dry. My truck has factory hitch and wiring, but no additional brake controller. Also I am thinking stabilizer bars are a good option, but I am a novice in this area, I have only ever towed ski boats and utility trailers around with my truck. Looking forward to soaking in all the info and maybe one day giving some mediocre advice of my own out. Happy camping everyone!

[UpperLeft]

Do it! We did the same upgrade on a similarly sized trailer (Surveyor Legend 19BHLE) and it’s been money well spent.

I did happen to get them on sale at Costco, which took the sting out of it a little. Still worth it at full price, though.

You’ll want a brake controller in addition to the sway bars - lots of reasons and times when it’s helpful (we tow with an F-150). A plug and play after market unit from Tekonsha is less than $100.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Sid_the_Cat

Question on towing. I have a 2011 Ram 1500 V8 Hemi rated at 10,000 lbs. This trailer is pretty lean at around 3,600 dry. My truck has factory hitch and wiring, but no additional brake controller. Also I am thinking stabilizer bars are a good option, but I am a novice in this area, I have only ever towed ski boats and utility trailers around with my truck. Looking forward to soaking in all the info and maybe one day giving some mediocre advice of my own out. Happy camping everyone!

Do you mean a WDH(Weight Distribution Hitch), when you say "stabilizer bars"?
WDHs don't "stabilize", they move trailer weight forward to the truck's front axle.
You need to read the towing section in your Ram's owners manual. It will state what trailer weights require a WDH. For 1/2 tons, it's generally 500lbs and over for loaded tongue weight/5000lbs or more loaded trailer weight.
You'll also definitely need a brake controller.
Also, older Ram 1/2 tons are infamous for lousy payload capacities so check tbat also since these large single axle trailers have much higher loaded tongue weights.

[Sid_the_Cat]

Yep my apologies. I figure a WDH and brake controller will just make life easier. I see some well rated ones on Amazon. Thanks for the quick reply.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Sid_the_Cat

Yep my apologies. I figure a WDH and brake controller will just make life easier. I see some well rated ones on Amazon. Thanks for the quick reply.

A brake controller is required by law, for that trailer.

[aceinspp]

Welcome to the forum. You will find a lot of knowledgeable folks here to help with questions. later RJD