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05-28-2013, 01:19 PM
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#1
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New Member
1973 23' Safari
Hampton Cove
, Alabama
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
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Anti Sway Hitch and Brake Controller
We're "newbies" to the Airstream Forum! Please recommend best anti sway hitch and brake controller for 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser (with lift kit and 285/70/17 tires) towing a Vintage 1973 23' Safari Land Yacht. We plan to go cross country from Alabama/Florida to California/Arizona.
Thanks!
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05-28-2013, 02:22 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
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Hi. Welcome.
There is no best. Depends on what you're trying to accomplish and what your preferences are. You will get a ton of info on these questions, but ultimately if you know what you're trying to do and why, you can listen through the equivalent of "Mac vs PC" debates and go with what works best for your needs.
Having said that - get a ProPride hitch :-)
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05-28-2013, 02:30 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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I have a Hayes Energize III brake controller. Works great. I have 2 different equalizer/anti-sway set ups- one I like much better than the other. Setup number one- the torsion bars are put in from the bottom at the hitch, swung around to the trailer a-frame, chain links put on a saddle and lifted up, then anti-sway attached to 2 small balls and the brake shoe tightened down- works but a lot of work. This setup is for sale. Current setup- Equal-I-Zer 4 point hitch weight distributing and anti-sway in 2 bars with pins in each end- much easier to use.
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05-28-2013, 02:51 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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Normally, I would agree with "SteveSueMac" because the ProPride is definitely the best, IMHO. However, in your case, I would be concerned with the weight of the hitch (about 230 lbs.), and your FJ Cruiser's ability to haul it. Also the FJ Cruiser is rated to tow 5000 lbs. of trailer, and have you weighed your trailer?
And, while the "with lift kit and 285/70/17 tires" certainly look cool on an FJ, they do nothing but hurt to towing performance of the vehicle. I tow a 17' Casita with an FJ with an Andersen hitch, and it does well, but with your setup and your trailer, I would be a little concerned.
Welcome to the forum.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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05-28-2013, 03:25 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,095
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I do not know what the "best" is. The Reese straight line hitch is a very wildly used hitch. Get the weakest bars, which are 600 lbs. The Prodgy 2 is a very commonly used brake controller. With your special rig you might need to do some research and see if something different is needed. You will need a big drop bar in the receiver to get the ball down to the trailer height, which I think is 17.5 inches. The trailer needs to set level, particularly if it is a tandom axle. I tow with a 4x4 3/4 ton so the only thing really in common is I have the hitch on a 6" or maybe 8" drop bar. And it is a little tricky to figure out how much drop you need ahead of time without knowing how the trailer loads the TV. I got one with holes in it so I could adjust it up and down You might want to look at the ProPride and call them and ask about the drop, etc. It is a good hitch. I have seen some articles on towing with that TV in the trailer magazines, but tossed them.
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05-28-2013, 03:36 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveH
Normally, I would agree with "SteveSueMac" because the ProPride is definitely the best, IMHO. However, (snip).
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Just to be clear - my note was an attempt at irony...(maybe not a great attempt, but an attempt nonetheless :-) )
I can't say ProPride is best - it is for MY number one need - preventing sway from happening in the first place. I don't want a system to react to it, I don't want to attempt to control it - I just don't want it to happen. With every decision come trade offs. PP is much more expensive than most, weighs a lot more than most and is going to be a problem for my dealer on service calls since all they really know is how to stick the ball on their forklift in to the coupler to move the trailer around...dang.
But it solved my #1 concern so for me, with my personal parameters, it's absolutely the best. That Sean turned out to be so great at service was another huge bonus.
Others mileage may vary :-)
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06-01-2013, 02:36 PM
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#7
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New Member
1973 23' Safari
Hampton Cove
, Alabama
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
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We have a 1973 Safari 23' that weighs 3500 lbs. The towing capacity of the 2008 FJ Cruiser is 5000 lbs. We took the trailer on a test drive today - and it towed fine. We will definitely have to get the drop hitch to compensate for the lift kit.
Did you all install the ProPride hitch yourself or at a dealer?
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06-01-2013, 02:53 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sbbrown
Did you all install the ProPride hitch yourself or at a dealer?
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I've installed several of them. Of course the first was the most difficult, but if you spend the required time to read the instructions, and understand them, it's certainly doable.
It would be best to have a helper, and a floor jack.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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06-01-2013, 03:35 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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If you are new to this Please look up some local campers and go see there systems first hand.
Ask about the experiences of hitching up and towing.
You do not want to spend several thousand dollars on the comments you will find here without more thought.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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06-02-2013, 03:39 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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I love my Equal-I-Zer 4 point, but when I grow up I want a Hensley Arrow. I can still feel 18 wheelers when they go by. It's not bad, just noticable. People who own the Hensley say you no longer feel anything. I also like my Eaz-Lift for the ability to add or reduce tongue weight, but the Equal-I-Zer with its one setting is so much easier to hook up.
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06-04-2013, 06:16 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
alexandria
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,310
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I'll throw my two cents in on brake controllers.
The best is Maxbrake. It is also the most expensive. I have used cheaper brake controllers and this is one are item where you get what you pay for. It is very easy to adjust (only one initial adjustment needed) and very consistent, seamless stops.
__________________
Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
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