New Trailer, First time everything

[TSBat]

Hi All,

Just want to share some good news. I bought my first trailer, that is a 2009 Keystone Laredo 31BHS TT that is almost 34 feet long. I have never towed anything in my life and this was the first time bringing it from the dealership to home about 30 miles. I think I must have lost a few years of my life. My wife was following me in another vehicle helping me to change lanes. I got a neighbor to back it to my driveway. I need to go to a parking lot and practice backing up today. Stayed the night in the TT yesterday that was parked in my driveway. I have a 2008 Tundra 4x4 5.7 with Tekonsha P3 and a Equil-i-zer WDH. Great site, a lot of valuable information.

[funfinder4]

You'll get the hang of it soon enough. Just don't forget it's back there...That's when you'll get into trouble. Backing up longer trailers is accureally easier and quicker to learn than backing up smaller single axle trailers. With smaller/shorter trailers you can't make any mistakes as they turn very quickly.

As for your first trailer... Wow, you jumped in with both feet! You'll be glad though as you won't be finding yourself getting a different one in two years.

See you outdoors sometime.

[tun dra]

Congrats on the new TT...You did it the right by going big right off the bat.

[tomhole]

Very nice trailer. If I had my 2008 Tundra when I upgraded to a travel trailer, that was at the top of my list. Good match for the new Tundra. Way too much for the legacy Tundra.

For those that track these sorts of things, no one has recommended that this trailer requires a 1 ton dually, yet.

Tom

[rcracer]

A 1 ton DIESEL dualie.

[TundraBay]

Originally Posted by tomhole

Very nice trailer. If I had my 2008 Tundra when I upgraded to a travel trailer, that was at the top of my list. Good match for the new Tundra. Way too much for the legacy Tundra.

For those that track these sorts of things, no one has recommended that this trailer requires a 1 ton dually, yet.

Tom

Note he hasn't advised RV.net of his purchase.

[droolingmess]

"For those that track these sorts of things, no one has recommended that this trailer requires a 1 ton dually, yet." A camp snob with a computer will weigh in sooner or later. If Ford makes the 6.0 400hp V8 available in the 2010 F-150 it could make it a serious competitor to the Tundra. From all the specs I've read the 383hp Dodge Ram is the only V8 in the Tundra hp range. Both Chevy and Ford flounder around down in the lower 300hp range until you get into diesels. With the state of the auto industry and the new emission standards it will be interesting to see what pickup choices will be in a couple of years.

[TSBat]

Here are some pictures from my first long trip ( whooping 11 miles ) to Chatfield State Park in Colorado. I went there mainly to practice backing up which I think I failed miserably. The good news is I managed to park the TT at the storage after about a half hour of struggle. Luckily storage space next to mine was empty. I had to watch only for one side. If not for my wife guiding me, I could have never done this alone. Okay here come the questions . I had a lot of noise coming from the WDH which I was feeling very embarrassed. A quick search reveled that it is normal for the equil-i-zer to make that noise especially when it is new. However I noticed a significant metal shaving in the hitch ball. Is this normal?. I have noticed some guys having shiny balls ( I mean hitch balls ), have they never towed anything or am I having a wrong setup. I also had a hard time separating the TV from the TT. The hitch ball was stuck in the TT (even after releasing the latch). The WDH setup was done by the dealer.

[1jeep]

Nice camper congrats! I suspect your first upgrade for it will be a power tongue jack.

Yeah, i wouldnt bother telling the rv.net guys about it, they will have you convinced that you should trade it in and buy a popup. You know the tundra's c channel frame is inferior and will fold any second....lol

[Blaque]

Originally Posted by TSBat

Here are some pictures from my first long trip ( whooping 11 miles ) to Chatfield State Park in Colorado. I went there mainly to practice backing up which I think I failed miserably. The good news is I managed to park the TT at the storage after about a half hour of struggle. Luckily storage space next to mine was empty. I had to watch only for one side. If not for my wife guiding me, I could have never done this alone. Okay here come the questions . I had a lot of noise coming from the WDH which I was feeling very embarrassed. A quick search reveled that it is normal for the equil-i-zer to make that noise especially when it is new. However I noticed a significant metal shaving in the hitch ball. Is this normal?. I have noticed some guys having shiny balls ( I mean hitch balls ), have they never towed anything or am I having a wrong setup. I also had a hard time separating the TV from the TT. The hitch ball was stuck in the TT (even after releasing the latch). The WDH setup was done by the dealer.

1)My rv dealer told me to put a VERY SMALL AMOUNT of axle grease on my WD bars where they make contact with the chained bracket. Noise will not be eliminated just minimized.
2)Put a little axle grease on the ball. Shiny balls are for people who dont tow anything.
3)When you unlatch the hitch and raise the trailer, if the vehicle raises also just stand on the bumper and bounce once or twice and the ball will drop down.
Congrats on your new TT, looks great.

[TundraBay]

When trailer ball towing, sometimes you need to back up the truck up about 1/4" or go forward a similar amount to get the ball to disengage after you put it on the tongue jack. Always remember to remove the Equal-i-zer after you jack up the front of the trailer and before you release the ball. And backing will get better with practice!

Have fun camping.

[tomhole]

Don't grease the Equal-i-zer at the L brackets. That reduces/eliminates the sway control. Mine is very noisy as well. If you want to reduce the noise, you can buy sleeves that slide over the bottom of the L brackets.

Sway Bracket Jacket for Equal-i-zer Brand Hitches - RV Parts, RV Supplies & RV Accessories for 5th Wheels, ToyHaulers, Campers



Tom

[TSBat]

Thanks guys for all the comments and suggestions, as always lot of valuable information, very helpful for a new bee like me.

[kt001]

TBat,

Congrats on the new trailer. I just bought the Laredo 29BHS about 3 weeks ago.

As TundraBay said, when you are ready to disconnect the trailer from the RV:

1. Use the tongue jack to raise the front of the trailer and the truck
2. When lifted, remove the bars on your distribution hitch.
3. Lower the trailer (and truck) so that both are at rest.
4. Unlatch the lever on the receiver
5. Start cranking the tongue jack to raise the trailer off of the ball.
6. If the ball (and truck) start rising along with the trailer, you can put your foot on the trailer hitch and push on it a few times (side to side or up down). The receiver should "come off."
7. If it doesn't, get in the truck and pull forward about an inch. The receiver should come off easily.
8. Begin shopping for an electric tongue jack, especially is you are always the one to connect and disconnect the trailer. I would get a 3500 or 4000 pound jack, even though your tongue weight is only about 700 lbs. You are lifting the truck also.

[Tankerhank]

Originally Posted by rcracer

A 1 ton DIESEL dualie.

LOL!!!