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First trailer...need towing advice

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by Awmslugger, Jul 6, 2018.

  1. Jul 6, 2018 at 7:04 PM
    #1
    Awmslugger

    Awmslugger [OP] New Member

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    Hey guys, I have been trying to research all week and I just feel like I'm not any closer to figuring out what exactly is the best set up. I have read and heard guys go back in forth about different options for better towing. Some say suspension and air bags and others an equalizer hitch, weight distribution hitch or one with 2 (or 4)-point sway control.

    Any help/tips/clarification for a first time travel trailer buyer is very welcomed. I feel stupid asking, but I need some help and I would rather ask all my Tundra guys who know this vehicle. Thanks guys!

    And my wife and I are looking at buying a 2013 Dutchmen Aerolite 225RBSL. Unload weight: 4,862lbs. Hitch weight 560lbs
     
    HecticEnergy and ColoradoTJ like this.
  2. Jul 6, 2018 at 7:37 PM
    #2
    Eclipsed & Floating

    Eclipsed & Floating Over it.........

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    @ColoradoTJ has done a bit of towing with multiple makes of vehicles and might have some quality insight
     
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  3. Jul 6, 2018 at 7:44 PM
    #3
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Your truck will be fine with that camper. Enjoy.

    Get an Fastway EZ or Equilizer style load distribution hitch, make sure it is the correct size and adjusted properly.

    I set a LDH up today in 15 min. Pulled my camper better than expected.
     
    sprtbkr, Bprose and tinman10101 like this.
  4. Jul 6, 2018 at 7:51 PM
    #4
    Awmslugger

    Awmslugger [OP] New Member

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    Awesome, I forgot to put in my post a question about generators. Do you guys run generators with your trailers? If so, what are you guys using?
     
  5. Jul 6, 2018 at 7:53 PM
    #5
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Honda or Champion

    Make sure you have at least 2800 Watts operating.

    For all things holy, get a quiet generator please.
     
  6. Jul 6, 2018 at 8:04 PM
    #6
    Bprose

    Bprose Old member

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    Yes, invest the money for a quiet one.
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Jul 6, 2018 at 8:46 PM
    #7
    phiredrop

    phiredrop New Member

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    I picked up a Wen 2000 watt generator that I’m using on my 3k mile trip as we speak. They go on sale at Home Depot everyone once in a while for under $400. I haven’t had any complaints and it’s surprisingly quiet. I use it with a Micro Minnie.

    I don’t have a WDH but will be investing in one. The sag on my rig hurts the eyes (though my truck has been leveled so it’s even worse). Otherwise it’s pulled the TT incredibly well.
     
  8. Jul 8, 2018 at 1:04 PM
    #8
    hooter

    hooter New Member

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    What model is your Micro Minnie? We have a 2106DS and pull it with a WDH in tow/haul. It does great, barely notice it behind the truck. I have a pair of the Ryobi 2300 generators from Home Depot and they run everything including the AC in eco mode. I really like the bluetooth feature on them to keep track of the fuel.
     
    kparrow likes this.
  9. Jul 8, 2018 at 7:53 PM
    #9
    parallax

    parallax Professional Zamboni stunt driver

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    I run a Honda EU3000IS. It is quiet and is able to run my Airconditioning in my toyhauler I don’t like airbags. Because they change the way my pickup rode and the way it reacted to various road conditions ( my previous pickup ). With weight distribution bars, when you are not towing, Your. Pickup. Suspension remains stock feeling
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  10. Jul 8, 2018 at 8:31 PM
    #10
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    I guess sugar is better than a ping pong ball full of Drain-O;).
     
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  11. Jul 8, 2018 at 8:44 PM
    #11
    Sterlinglwood

    Sterlinglwood Never enough!

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    EAZ-Lift has worked well for me. Never installed sway bar.
     
  12. Jul 9, 2018 at 12:19 PM
    #12
    phiredrop

    phiredrop New Member

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    Nice! We have the 1700BH - the bunks are perfect for my younglings! So you have Tow/Haul enabled the whole time? We just got back from a 3,000+ mile trip over the Rockies to the West coast, then to Grand Tetons and back home. I only had the Tow/Haul enabled part of the time since it guzzles the gas. I need a WDH.. my truck is leveled and with the trailer the sag is pretty bad.

    Those Ryobi generators look nice!
     
  13. Jul 9, 2018 at 12:38 PM
    #13
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    I went with 2 2kw generators running in parallel. If we are heading to the coast, i only bring one. If going to the lake, bring them both.
     
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  14. Jul 9, 2018 at 12:54 PM
    #14
    MikeyMTBs

    MikeyMTBs New Member

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    Same here... I have two Yammie EF2000 models that I run in parallel when needed, otherwise one will work fine.

    I have a Curt weight and sway hitch and this Tundra pulls the snot out of my Keystone Passport, which is about 5500lbs loafed. These trucks are a beast for towing.
     
    parallax likes this.
  15. Jul 11, 2018 at 7:37 AM
    #15
    TTCrewmax

    TTCrewmax New Member

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  16. Jul 11, 2018 at 8:24 AM
    #16
    phiredrop

    phiredrop New Member

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    Here's the link to the Wen generator I got. Great for anyone on a budget!

    https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-Sup...r-with-CARB-Compliant-Engine-56200i/205825829

    EDIT: Also, these generators go on sale fairly often from HD and Woot for around $380

    What's your experience with airbags? I hadn't really considered them, but since my trailer is only 17 feet (21 with the tongue) I feel like a WDH may be overkill. I have a Reese Sway Bar and it works great. Is the airbag install pricey? Where do you fill them up?
     
  17. Jul 11, 2018 at 8:33 AM
    #17
    TTCrewmax

    TTCrewmax New Member

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    I like the airbags - kind-of. It's nice when the trailer is hooked up and I can raise my rear-end back up the 2-3" inches that it squatted. But my pin weight is more than yours.
    In hind-sight not sure I would install them again - the did make the ride quality worse when empty. I installed them myself and it took all of two hours. I ran the line to the license plate and just use a ryobi air compressor to put the 30lbs of air when needed.

    If I were you I'd just use the equalizer hitch and go.

    BTW - Make sure you have a good brake controller!
     
  18. Jul 11, 2018 at 8:41 AM
    #18
    phiredrop

    phiredrop New Member

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    Thanks for the info. I didn't realize they would affect the normal ride quality. I'm getting my trailer lifted in a couple weeks, which I expect to change my hitch needs, so I'll have the service techs help me measure and get a WDH going.

    Brake controller - yeah buddy! I have the Tekonsha P3 and shared this post about cutting it into the knee panel. Works great, though sometimes at low speeds (rather, rolling speeds from stopped) when I brake it will engage the trailer brakes heavier than what I'm applying to the truck. However at normal driving speeds there's no problem.
     
  19. Jul 12, 2018 at 10:08 PM
    #19
    phiredrop

    phiredrop New Member

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  20. Jul 1, 2019 at 1:43 PM
    #20
    kparrow

    kparrow New Member

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    I was just looking at those! Still happy with them? $1200 for dual gen’s and the interlock kit is a great price and the Bluetooth monitoring seems like a very useful feature
     
  21. Jul 1, 2019 at 1:55 PM
    #21
    ktmhauler

    ktmhauler New Member

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    Or at least a really long drop cord so you can put it far away from everyone. I also made a little foam wall out of that purple insulation foam to help deflect the sound of the cheap one I got that came with my trailer
     
  22. Jul 7, 2019 at 7:17 PM
    #22
    furface

    furface New Member

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    Take a good look at the siding of your Aerolite trailer. They are notorious for delaminating. Mine did, so did my buddies...
     

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