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Hitch SetUp Question for new TT

Dougie123
Explorer
Explorer
Hi All:

Just purchased a new Jayco Eagle HT 295DBOK and am wondering if I should add a second friction bar to my WD set up.

Specs are:
Truck - 2017 Ram 2500, CrewCab, Diesel - 17,200# towing, 2162# Payload
TT - 37.5' long including hitch, 10500# GVWR, 8500#dry, 850# dry hitch weight.

Previous camper- Shamrock 233S, 27' long including hitch, 6300# GVWR, 5000# dry, 500# dry hitch weight.

The truck did GREAT with the Shamrock with SINGLE friction bar, and #800 round Weight Distribution bars.

With the new camper, I'm planning on adding #1200 round bars, but not sure about SECOND Friction bar. I worry about sway, with such a long TT, but I'm looking for advice/experience from my fellow campers.

Many thanks in advance!
Doug
Dad, Mom, 4 kids, 1 dog & lots of camping memories!

2010 Shamrock 233S (SOLD)
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 295DBOK
2011 Ram 2500 CC Laramie Hemi 4.10 (SOLD)
2017 Ram 2500 CC Laramie Cummins
18 REPLIES 18

Dougie123
Explorer
Explorer
Ahh...ok, thanks for the clarification.
Dad, Mom, 4 kids, 1 dog & lots of camping memories!

2010 Shamrock 233S (SOLD)
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 295DBOK
2011 Ram 2500 CC Laramie Hemi 4.10 (SOLD)
2017 Ram 2500 CC Laramie Cummins

Hannibal
Explorer
Explorer
BarneyS wrote:
Dougie123 wrote:
Hannibal - so you run just WD, and NO sway control at all?

I am wondering the same thing. His signature indicates a 4 point Equal-i-zer hitch which has sway control built in.
Barney

When we went back to a travel trailer, the 2017 28RLS Jayco in May 2016, I bought a Reese HP trunion style hitch without the sway control (dual cam) arms. We towed with this setup for a year before I saw the Equalizer for sale on Ebay. It towed great with the Reese sans sway control but the minor push pull of passing trucks could get annoying when truck traffic was heavy. The Equalizer makes passing trucks unnoticeable with our rig.
2020 F250 STX CC SB 7.3L 10spd 3.55 4x4
2010 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
2017 Jayco 28RLS TT 32.5'

BarneyS
Explorer III
Explorer III
Dougie123 wrote:
Hannibal - so you run just WD, and NO sway control at all?

I am wondering the same thing. His signature indicates a 4 point Equal-i-zer hitch which has sway control built in.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine

Dougie123
Explorer
Explorer
Hannibal - so you run just WD, and NO sway control at all?
Dad, Mom, 4 kids, 1 dog & lots of camping memories!

2010 Shamrock 233S (SOLD)
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 295DBOK
2011 Ram 2500 CC Laramie Hemi 4.10 (SOLD)
2017 Ram 2500 CC Laramie Cummins

Hannibal
Explorer
Explorer
That's good! Sounds like no trailer induced sway. I was hypersensitive the first trip or two out with our 32.5' Jayco with no sway control. By the third trip, we were eating buffalo wings rolling down the interstate with cruise control on. Even with our previous 5th wheels, we occasionally felt a little push or pull from passing trucks. Definitely felt their turbulence once past as we do with the travel trailer.
2020 F250 STX CC SB 7.3L 10spd 3.55 4x4
2010 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
2017 Jayco 28RLS TT 32.5'

Dougie123
Explorer
Explorer
Trip Report-

Just completed fully loaded trip yesterday. 3hrs, 170miles, though the Bershires and Adirondacks. Kept the cruise control on 67mph, tow/haul mode, auto exhaust brake mode. Truck did great bringing the TT up to speed, and also slowing it down.

No real noticeable sway, but it was a relatively calm day. Once or twice I did feel very little of what I call โ€˜vacuum pullโ€™ when passed by a big rig, but nothing alarming. Keep in mind I had the dual friction bars cranked down a lot...made awful noises when making tight turns.

Was it as โ€˜care freeโ€™ as previous trips with the old camper? No, but then again, this was the first trip out, so i had my โ€˜radarโ€™ tuned up pretty high.

Iโ€™ll report back should I encounter a situation where I think the dual friction bars are not doing the job.

Doug
Dad, Mom, 4 kids, 1 dog & lots of camping memories!

2010 Shamrock 233S (SOLD)
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 295DBOK
2011 Ram 2500 CC Laramie Hemi 4.10 (SOLD)
2017 Ram 2500 CC Laramie Cummins

Hannibal
Explorer
Explorer
Sounds like you might be good to go! Looking forward to seeing your loaded trip report.
2020 F250 STX CC SB 7.3L 10spd 3.55 4x4
2010 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
2017 Jayco 28RLS TT 32.5'

Dougie123
Explorer
Explorer
Brought the new 38โ€™ Jayco TT home yesterday. Truck and trailer did great, felt really good between mix of country roads and highway. Even took it up to 70mph, and with semiโ€™s passing all around me did not notice any sway.

Granted the trailer was โ€˜emptyโ€™ but we will go out this weekend fully rigged out, and will report back.

I agree the dual friction bars are a hassle, but they seem to be doing their job so far.
Dad, Mom, 4 kids, 1 dog & lots of camping memories!

2010 Shamrock 233S (SOLD)
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 295DBOK
2011 Ram 2500 CC Laramie Hemi 4.10 (SOLD)
2017 Ram 2500 CC Laramie Cummins

pullin2
Explorer
Explorer
Would love to hear how your trip went. I have the same truck and a Windjammer 35 foot (8200 lbs loaded). I went ahead and got the Hensley. Even with dual sway controllers it wasn't great. FWIW, my trailer is the V-nose model, and I'm beginning to think those are actually worse when it comes to sway than flat-front models.

Also, if you call the Hensley folks, they usually have a few remanufactured hitches they'll sell for a discount. That's how I got mine (it was still lots of $$$ though).
RB, JC (& a few dogs)
2017 Ram CC LB Cummins,
35' Windjammer
30' Sea Ray
I used to tandem-tow (hence my username), but my trailers grew too big.

Dougie123
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks everyone for the input.

I was able to find some #1200 bars on the cheap, and an extra friction bar. I'm going to see how it goes with that. If necessary, I will then consider Equalizer or Hensley ($$$ ouch!).

Will report back from our first trip out.

Thanks,
Doug
Dad, Mom, 4 kids, 1 dog & lots of camping memories!

2010 Shamrock 233S (SOLD)
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 295DBOK
2011 Ram 2500 CC Laramie Hemi 4.10 (SOLD)
2017 Ram 2500 CC Laramie Cummins

CincyGus
Explorer II
Explorer II
I'm guessing since you say you have just purchased, your only trip has been home with it so you don't know how the truck would handle it. I'm not a fan of long TT's because of how challenging it can be to get the hitch angle, proper weight distribution while loading the trailer. I've never owned one but a buddy I used to camp with had challenges, mostly based off the water tanks location and his loading of the inside. Not dumping his tanks and not being careful about weight distribution caused his trailer to be more susceptible to sway and give him white knuckle rides on occasion.

Might be overkill (and I'm not telling you my way is the ony choice) but I think I side with the folks that suggest something like an Equalizer hitch or some other brand that has built in sway control vs. a second friction bar. Might just be I'm over sensitive to safety and clean shorts but after towing something (Two horse trailers, stock trailers, gooseneck trailers, popup's and TT's) for 35 years and having my share of scary sway situations, I don't want anymore, even if it costs me a few bucks. Besides, I go camping with my family and friends in my truck usually and have to be concerned with their safety as well.

Good Luck in making the decision that's right for you.
2015 GMC 2500 Denali Crewcab 4x4
2019 Forest River Wolfpack 23pack15

Hope your travels are safe and the friendships made camping are lasting.

APT
Explorer
Explorer
I think 1400 pound WDH bars is appropriate for that new TT. Get a 2.5" shank vs. using the adapter to minimize slop and wear while providing better sway control. Otherwise, you should have a good combination.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)

camp-n-family
Explorer
Explorer
Friction bars aren't going to do much for a trailer that long or heavy. If you have to upgrade the spring bars anyways you might as well pay a little extra and get a better hitch with built in sway control. A couple hundred bucks more is cheap insurance for the investment.
'17 Ram 2500 Crewcab Laramie CTD
'13 Keystone Bullet Premier 310BHPR
Hitched by Hensley

downtheroad
Explorer
Explorer
You have a nearly new great truck and a beautiful new 37+ foot trailer. Why not spring for a new hitch. There are better choices than friction bar set ups...

Anyway, congrats on your new rig..
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."

Arctic Fox 25Y
GMC Duramax
Blue Ox SwayPro