Trailblazer87
Central California
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Joined: 03/12/2017
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Quick question,
My father in law bought a travel trailer a couple of weeks ago while visiting, he lives 300 miles away and over the Sierra's near Reno, I'm near Fresno, CA.
My truck is set up for my 14,000 lbs. Toy hauler, his new to him trailer weighs 5,600 but my hitch is waaaay too high. I have a lower hitch but not enough, I have towed his trailer for about 15 miles and hardly knew it was behind me.
My main concern is having his trailer riding nose high while I take it to him next weekend. I plan on filling the water tank for the trip to help prevent sway, but I don't think it will be enough.
How crucial is for the trailer to be level?
2004 31' Toymate by Automate
2016 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Wife and 2 dogs for travel companions, Blue the hound, and Ruger the Wonderhusky
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Turtle n Peeps
California
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Joined: 06/23/2008
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Almost next to nothing in my experience.
I've towed trailers a mile high and in the weeds. I've even changed the hitch to see what it would do. I couldn't tell any difference.
What IS VERY important is tongue weight. If you have a truck that can tow that much just make sure there is a lot of tongue weight and you're good to go.
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jkwilson
Indiana
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Joined: 06/14/2010
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A trailer can tow pretty squirrelly with the tongue high because of the tongue weight and uneven weight on the axles.
Unless the drop is crazy, I'd consider buying or borrowing one to make the trip.
Coming down a mountain would be a bad time to find out it was unstable.
John & Kathy
2014 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS
2014 F250 SBCC 6.2L 3.73
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noteven
Turtle Island
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If it is a tandem it’s not bad if it is spring and equalizer suspension as long as you don’t bottom the equalizer completely. Some weight starts to transfer off the trailer front axle to the low end axle and to the tow vehicle hitch if you are nose high. Use as low a drawbar as you can get your hands on. Tow without weight distribution you don’t need it with your truck and a 6000lbs trailer.
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Trailblazer87
Central California
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Thanks everyone, I wasn't planning on using a weight distribution hitch, not enough tongue weight, it only drops my rear bumper 2". The trailer is a 26' tandem axte. I will see if I can find a drop hitch, I need one for my Jeep trailer anyway.
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Lwiddis
Los Angeles area :(
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Joined: 08/12/2016
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I agree with "I'd consider buying or borrowing one to make the trip." And bumper drop is only one reason for a WDH. I like driving the Sierras but I do it as safely as I can.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, 300 watts solar-parallel & MPPT, Trojan T-125s. TALL pole for flags. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, USF&WS, state & county camps. Bicyclist! 14 year Army vet - 11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560)
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Ain’t going to hurt the trailer unless it has torsion spring axles. Those need to be level or close or will carry load on 1 axle
"Yes Sir, Oct 10 1888, Those poor school children froze to death in their tracks. They did not even find them until Spring. Especially hard hit were the ones who had to trek uphill to school both ways, with no shoes." -Bert A.
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LIKE2BUILD
Decatur
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Grit dog wrote:Ain’t going to hurt the trailer unless it has torsion spring axles. Those need to be level or close or will carry load on 1 axle
This is the biggest concern. If your trailer axles are unbalanced it can lead to sway.
At 5,600 lbs the trailer is within the limits of your truck and receiver to tow without a WD hitch. You could get a solid forged shank with the appropriate drop and tow the trailer in weight carrying mode.
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SweetLou
La Quinta, CA USA
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Turtle has it correct.
2013 3500 Cummins 6.7 Quadcab 4x4 3.73 68FE Trans, 2007 HitchHiker Discover America 329 RSB
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CharlesinGA
South of Atlanta, Georgia
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Grit dog wrote:Ain’t going to hurt the trailer unless it has torsion spring axles. Those need to be level or close or will carry load on 1 axle
I had never thought about this until recently when I read another post about how torsion axles need to be level. Logic tells us that the two axles are totally independent and thus if nose high, the back axle is more compressed, and possibly overloading both the torsion suspension inside the tube, AND the tires on that axle.
With leaf springs and an equalizer between the front and rear springs, you have to be way out of level to cause any real issues.
Charles
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