RV Gear & Swag

BY FRED SMITH NOVEMBER 2009

Gear for Getting Hitched

Blue OX Sway Pro Weight Distribution Hitch
suggested MSRP $686.00
available at Lazydays RV

One of the most trusted names in the RV industry offers one of the most popular weight distribution hitches on the road today. Easy to install and easy to maintain, the Sway Pro uses a 4 point control system that nullifies trailer sway by exerting force both on the trailer’s tongue as well as on the tow vehicle. Backed by a limited lifetime warranty, the Sway Pro Hitch (with proper care and maintenance) is expected to outlive your travel trailer and is also the most user friendly weight distribution hitch made in the market today.

Reese Pro Series 15K Fifth Wheel Hitch
suggested MSRP: $831.00
available at RVstuffUSA.com

To say this is the fifth wheel hitch the pros use would be an understatement. Look in the truck bed of a certified RV technician and fifth wheel owner and there’s a good chance you will see a Reese 15K Hitch. Not only does this hitch have a 15,000 lb. load rating, but the 4-way pivoting head also features a full 5 degrees of pivot capacity that allows for easy hook ups on uneven ground. The rounded slide bar jaw mechanism is designed for automatic self-latching. Top it all off with a 5-year warranty and you start to see why the RV pros call this the “Cadillac of fifth wheel hitches.”

Tow Rax Wheel Chocks
suggested MSPR $32.63
available at AdventureRV.net

The tubular construction makes these chocks by Tow-Rax among the strongest in the RV industry. Their tapered design will stabilize up to 6 1/2” tires while their keyhole slots allow for easy removal and storage. Trailer owners should never be without their chocks, and Tow-Rax makes the best.

Dutton-Lainson Trailer Safety cables
suggested MSPR: $19.99
available at Cabellas.com

These vinyl-coated 5/16” safety cables replace your trailer’s safety chains and offer long lasting, rattle free towing. The coil tension prevents dragging by keeping the cables a safe distance from the road. 4’ long when fully extended, these cables meet SAE and V-5 standards.

Atwood Electric Power Jack
suggested MSPR $263.00
available at Amazon.com

Take from certified RV technician and 30+ year RV veteran Harold Noel... an electric jack is better than a hand crank. But if the mood strikes you and you want the work out, you can always crank the electric jack manually.

Moose Hitch Ball cover
suggested MSRP: $5.99
available at Amazon.com

Harold likes these, too.

ToyLok retractable cable system
suggested MSRP: $204.00
available at.... RVPartscenter.com

Tie down and secure your toys without the hassle of searching for cables, pins and locks. The PVC coating and powder coat finish will insure that neither your toys nor your RV will be damaged while the stainless steel cable is cut resistant and will give you the peace of mind that your toys will survive the journey

unscathed.

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Comments

Steve Roddy

Jan. 31, 2011 - 06:08 PM

What is the weight of the trailer loaded? What is the weight of the RV loaded? Do the two weights exceed the GCWR listed on the weight sticker in the motor home? Does the loaded trailer weight exceed the hitch rating?

Scott (Cottondale, Fl)

Jan. 29, 2011 - 11:38 AM

How do you find the site to ask Steve a question? I have a 2010 Phaton 40 foot motor home and I want to pull an 20 foot enclosed trailer with my vehicle in it. The trailer will have duel axels and electric brakes. Do I need to add anything?

Steve Roddy

Dec. 05, 2010 - 08:55 PM

Have you already purchased hitch bars and want to add sway control or do you need everything? If so, what brand did you purchase?

Dave (Charleston WV )

Dec. 04, 2010 - 01:02 PM

What type of sway control would you recommend for a Toyota FJ Cruiser (5000# towing cap) towing a 15 travel trailer w/ dry wt approx 2500# and tongue wt 280#? I don t want to spend $$$ on un-needed overkill , but I also want to be SAFE!

Dave (Charleston WV )

Dec. 04, 2010 - 01:00 PM

Steve Roddy

Jul. 12, 2010 - 05:23 PM

Another note on brakes for your tow, it is not always the weight but the requirement for a break-a-way situation. In some states a towed trailer or vehicle must be able to apply brakes if it becomes disconnected.

Steve Roddy

Jul. 12, 2010 - 05:18 PM

It is very easy to tell if brakes are needed for your tow car. This is regulated seperately by each state as far as weight requirements for braking systems. It is the state you are driving through and not the state you are from. http://www.brakebuddy.com/Towing-Laws This website will help determine your state laws.

Linda (New Hampshire)

Jul. 12, 2010 - 03:55 PM

How do you know if you need a separate braking system for your car? I have a 37 foot bus with air brakes and wonder if I need separate brakes for my car. The dealer says I do but I know people with my sam bus who don t use them

Steve Roddy

Feb. 08, 2010 - 08:16 AM

Also when replacing the landing gear it should be replaced with jacks that are at least equal capacity of the existing jacks. The rating of jacks are sometimes stamped on the gear cover of each jack. Just give me the information of Make and Model of 5th wheel and I will look it up for you.

Steve Roddy

Feb. 06, 2010 - 07:27 AM

Pin weight is usually listed in the sales brochure. What kind of 5th wheel do you have?

rvroamer

Feb. 05, 2010 - 09:35 AM

The only real way is to weigh it, with the landing gear on the scale and the axle off. Any truck stop scale can easily do that (they are segmented scales, with a separate section for each axle), but it could be done at a local grain silo, feed store, moving company or whatever that has its own scale. About $10. A reasonable estimate would be about 20-25% of the total trailer weight or about 4200-5000 lbs in the case of a 21,000 lb trailer..

cindy (texas)

Feb. 05, 2010 - 09:24 AM

how do you figure tongue weight on a 42 fifth wheel that has a total weight of 21,000. We have to replace the landing gear and need to know how heavy duty of a unit we need to get.

BY FRED SMITH NOVEMBER 2009

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