Fresh Meat

[Crambi]

OK, here goes.

I've been trolling this site for about a year now.

Just bought a very clean second owner 19ft Sahara SE. We have had it about a onth now and have taken it out for a weekend. Seems like everything works. I have a couple of interior rivet to replace, but that about all I can find wrong with this.

We live in SoCal and will use it at the beach, mountains and for some longer trips up North.

It came equipped with Solar, Awning Package and a Fiamma Bike rack.

Now that the kids are outta the house, time for the grown-ups to have some fun.

I'm sure I'll be asking questions as they arise. I already have a hitch question. Using a 1000#Reese hitch with a new Tundra. My buddy has access to a truck scale. I will go there to fine tune the setup.

Question though, do you vary the tension of the WD by changing the length of chain? Seems that the 1000# bars are the only available and I have read on here that 600# is about right for that trailer.

Thanks,
Ryan Cram(bi)

[OTRA15]

Welcome to the forum, Ryan! We also have a Reese WD set up on a smaller AS, a Flying Cloud 20', and have 800# bars, set "lightly" with 1-2 links of loose chain outside the pin on the "catch knob" which pivots up. [sorry for possibly incorrect terminology, and after a long winter I actually don't remember whether it is 1 or 2 loose links] Yes, the chain links not in tension comprise the main adjustment. I have seen reports of people using an extra threaded add-on link to get an extra 1/2 link in there somehow, but it never seemed necessary for our rig.

As you hook up and tow, you will get a sense of things according to the road conditions, and how your rig feels. Given that we could probably tow our small AS's safely without any WD, it is OK [IMO] to try out different settings [links on/off, other weight-rating bars, etc.]

According to the shop manager who set up our Reese a couple of years ago, my guess would also be that you should go lighter than the 1,000# bars. Lighter bars may or may not be available, however, for your exact Reese model WD hitch.

Good luck!

Peter

[streaminwild]

Welcome Cranbi. You will enjoy your new toy. Yosemite is breath taking in the spring. Highway 101 is a beautiful drive to San Francisco with Hearst Castle along the way. You have so many options living in California, Redwoods, Sequoias, Sierras, Beaches, Make reservations early.