Towing a 30ft Travel Trailer - Tongue weight, Payload issues, Aerodynamics of a Brick.

I ignore the back ride height and set it based on how the front sits. The owners manual for my '12 says:

"If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, return the front axle to the same weight as before the trailer connection. If front axle weight cannot be measured directly, measure the front fender height above the front axle before connection. Adjust weight distributing hitch torque until front fender is
returned to the same height as before connection.
Do not reduce front fender height below original measurement."

All said and done, I think my rear ride height drops by 2" or so and my front ride height is dead on.

 

This thread does have a me a little nervous based on how strong some of these responses are about 1/2 ton towing. I'm also not feeling warm fuzzies about these bent hitches.

We bought a Jayco 267bhsw (30ft overall) early this year. I have had it out on 4 trips, 3 of which were about 2 hr drives. The only time I feel nervous at all is descending windy canyons. I've learned to manually drag the trailer brakes on the really tight corners. I think the issue is the trailer is succumbing to gravity and wanting to track straight so it tends to push laterally against the back of the truck. I have not experienced a loss of control even for a moment. I was running an Equalizer, but I had some concerns about it's age and condition, so I bought a similar design Huskey brand that also has frictional antisway.

I usually tow 65 on the interstate. Wind drag is definitely the culprit for reduced mpg. 8-10mpg. I've see it as high as 12mpg when we had cooperative winds and clear roads.

I learned quick that my truck will not hold 6th on the highway due to wind drag. I switch between s4 and s5 to keep the torque converter locked, shifting to a minimum, third priority is RPM/mpg. The highest trans pan temps I've seen are around 220 after a long, 3rd gear effort up a well known climb. I do run a secondary trans cooler plumbed in after the factory cooler.

Trailer specs:



Edit: my truck has sumo springs (black) and a TRD rear sway bar. I was running load range D tires, but I've gone to P rated tires to combat a vibration issue (still unsolved). Haven't towed on them yet.

 

The only way for me to keep the torque converter locked in 5th would be to have my foot down and end up going way over the speed limit. I stick to S4 on flat ground and S3 on steep hills.

 

Interesting, my TC will stay locked quite well in S5 on level ground with favorable conditions.
For any sort of hill or headwind, it has to be S4.
My TC will not lock in 3rd gear.

 

If you are having to manually brake the trailer down those windy canyons I would suggest that you might need to start down them at a lower speed and in a lower gear. Engine braking is your friend.

 

Sorry to hear the Apex didn’t work out (I had a feeling it may be a little lower on the quality food chain) and I agree that 26ft overall is a good place to be with our Tundras. Looks great - enjoy!!

 

Very interesting how the WDH correct height affects how the Tundra drives, it definitively feels more planted and stable