Need for sway bars or load levelers?

[washouglie]

[span style="font-size:10pt;"]Hello,  I am purchasing an FK11 and asked the dealer about installing sway bars to enhance towing safety and stability. I will be towing it with a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe limited rated at 3500lb, and traveling alone. Dealer tells me it will pull fine as is. Your advice will be most appreciated.[/span]

[pinstriper]

I think you'll be fine. The 11 is a single axle, so you may experience some porpoising if the tongue weight is too light, but that's a matter of how the trailer is loaded.

I suggest you go out a few trips. If you find it an uncomfortable tow, a sway bar is an easy addition you can do anytime.

Don't make the mistake of trying to run 65-70mph.

[washouglie]

Thanks for the assurance...will heed your advice.

[mitch]

As Pin inferred, you'll be well within all the towing capacities, it'll be more a question of comfort and control that may make you think about devices to add on. I pull a 13 QBB with a tacoma pickup so it's not a burden on anything but I just added an Anderson WDH hitch because I think it will make the rider better.

[peislander]

I have a Camplite C11FDB and we use a Equal-i-zer Hitch that combines weight distribution with sway control. We use it more for the sway control than the weight distribution but it does both well. We bought it because the region we live in often has gusty high winds. When I was at the LivinLite factory hooking up the mighty eleven-footer for the first time I was told that they used to dissuade customers with the smallest trailers (particularly the pop-ups were mentioned) from using weight distribution hitches. Apparently in the early days (pre-Camplites) they had some frames get bent when using weight distribution hitches. Apparently the smallest Camplites use a heavier frame than their early QuickSilvers so it isn't as much of an issue. What I took from the discussion is that with the weight distribution hitch I need avoid overloading my Camplite and avoid overloading the tow vehicle -- good advice whether using that type of hitch or not. Apparently it is not uncommon for people with weight distribution hitches to be overloaded because they think they have addressed the weight distribution. Camp light in your Camplite and be safe!

By the way the Equal-i-zer hitch works really well. I've never experienced any sway no matter how gusty the cross-winds. [a href="http://www.equalizerhitch.com/"]http://www.equalizerhitch.com/[/a]

[charliem]

[font size="3"]The question of WDH and sway control often comes down to need it or want it. In your case you may not need it. From a safety perspective you'll probably be OK. That said you should take it out a few times to get the feel of towing. Most people find that, even though they don't need it they add it later because they want it. [/font][font size="3"]You don't need much weight distribution, but the hitch removes the annoying bounce or porpoising. [/font][font size="3"]WDH and sway control greatly enhance the comfort of the ride and reduce stress levels. I can definitely speak from experience here.

The Equalizer hitch mentioned by PEIslander is indeed an excellent hitch, but their little brother E2 might be better suited to your situation. Also many have reported good results with the Anderson WDH.
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[pinstriper]

Well, everyone knows there are no gusty winds in the Columbia Gorge !

[leslie]

exploringcarolina has an 11 footer. I took a look at their rig last month. They don't use anti-sway from what I saw. I think they hold the record on this board for most nights camping. What makes that camper nice is that it can go just about anywhere. Some older campgrounds can only take short campers.

I hope you have a lot of fun with that camper!

[peislander]

I think Charliem has made a good suggestion that washouglie hold off on purchasing any weight distribution and/or anti-sway system until after she tries out her new rig. Typically such small trailers do not use these systems and safety is not considered compromised. Holding off will allow her to get to know her rig and may give her the opportunity to talk to other trailer owners at campgrounds etc. about their experiences with the systems. I also note that sometimes they can be physically difficult to hook up -- requiring more brute force than some owners (male or female) can muster. I find that occurs when I'm trying to hook up in less than ideal conditions -- like when the ground is uneven or too much of a slope.

[oar]

As I have yet to purchase my travel trailer or tow anything larger than a utility trailer I have been reading about towing travel trailers.  there is a lot of benefits of having a weight distribution.  My concern is how light the 13BHB and the potential of it getting blown around on the road by larger trucks on the road and strong winds (very common in summer in our neck of the woods) without WD/sway control.

If we decide to get the 13 BHB I will evaluate but I am not looking forward to having a white knuckle driving experience on the road while evaluating.

The andersen WD hitch is high on my list as it looks relatively simple to hook up.

I looked at the hensley cub but when I inquired about price it was approximately 2X the price of a regular WD hitch.  that one looks really simple to hook up to a TV.

[jerrybeaird]

Hi Oar.....I can see where you are coming from as I have a 21RBS and my Tacoma is fine towing it without a wd hitch.  However, after taking it over the bridge to Galveston I decided to buy the Andersen hitch.  What a difference!  The ride was much more pleasant and the wind did not push me around like the first time.

So as others have said, you may not need it but you might want one anyway.  There are others here that have the Andersen and like myself, use it more for anti sway that wd purposes.  Another member, Surfsup, has one and just went across country on a trip and was glad he had one with the winds.  I believe his TV is a Ford 150 so he has lots of power to tow his 21 RBS.

I hope this helps.

[kycamper]

I just received my Andersen Hitch!!

I will hook up and take a trip to Hilton Head next week and evaluate this latest purchase. It sure gets a lot of good review on these forums. Hope I see the difference.!!??

[thudd3r]

if you are experiencing porpoising, another alternative would be a set of air bags, sinceyou have coil springs in the rear.  they are a cheap way to get rid of the bounce and are easy to install.  a little air before you head out and you are good to go.  they also help level out the vehicle and get your headlights pointed back down to the road.  most suvs are set up for a good ride, not to tow a trailer.  the soft rear suspension results in the rear sagging when you connect a trailer.  while a weight distro hitch will help, it is kind of overkill (and as you have found out, not really recommended for some smaller campers)

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7053&gclid=CjwKEAjw0-epBRDOp7f7lOG0zl4SJABxJg9qIgErRxlAgorqXa7ScJlKE9TBE3DPCgJoxWCOg6VATBoCFH_w_wcB&zenid=24b0ca15a07ad35430479eff0221d0eb

[washouglie]

so glad I found this forum. all of your excellent advice is most appreciated. will hit the road with care and with out add ons to evaluate the ride and then read your suggestions again. I worked for Alcoa aluminum for a number of years so I am excited about taking my Tiny Extruded House for it's maiden voyage. Many thanks to all. Will keep you posted.

[washouglie]

[quote source="/post/9882/thread" timestamp="1429895660" author="@pinstriper"]Well, everyone knows there are no gusty winds in the Columbia Gorge !
[/quote]