Visit our Popular Forums

BoldAdventure · 08-13-2014, 03:31 PM

I probably already know the answer to this question... We're going to be picking up our Airstream soon, private seller. No WD. I always planned on getting a pro-ride, but wondering if I need to order it to move an empty 27 footer from GA to Florida. About a 10hr drive.

When we go full time, it's kind of a duh, but this popped up on the radar and we wanted to move fast on it. I didn't want to be installing one in front of someones house for an hour either...

dkottum · 08-13-2014, 03:47 PM

We have a 25' FC and 2012 Ram. I think without weight distribution it's going to push the back of your truck down a lot and raise the front. Your steering will lose traction; that will be especially bad if the roads become wet. Semi's passing will push the trailer, maybe to the point of your trying to correct by steering out of it which can only worsen the effect.

Really slow speeds can reduce these effects, if you had a roadway to travel safely, slowly.

I wouldn't try it on the usual highways.

Belegedhel · 08-13-2014, 03:48 PM

I expect to be shouted down by the WD gods, but I am willing to bet the tow can be accomplished safely without WD.

But, there are "middle ground" solutions, if you are that concerned. There are simple WD hitches you can buy for $2-300, that would serve the purpose of getting a little more of the tongue weight onto your front axle, just like the $1000+ models.

If it is sway you are concerned about (and you have every right to be), you can buy a stand-alone sway control device for as little as $50.

I would say that more important than weight distribution is sway control and having the proper brake controller and electrical hook-up to ensure the trailer brakes are responding to your tow vehicle. If it takes an hour in front of someone's house, then so be it.

You might also ask the previous owner how they towed the trailer and what points they have for you.

Tincampers · 08-13-2014, 03:51 PM

When the dealer was setting up my hitch on my 25' FC and 2007 Dodge Ram, he set the trailer down on the hitch and I nearly lost it when I saw how low the back dropped. I thought I was going to have to go buy a new truck just to pull it 40 miles home. There is no way I would have moved it off the lot like that. When he got the WD set up, it was like the trailer wasn't even on there. The whole rig settled down into one long level plane. IMHO, it would be a bold adventure to go without.

Wayward · 08-13-2014, 03:52 PM

It can been done if you drive with caution to avoid sway. The main issue to deal with will be squat on your truck.

Your payload capacity may say you truck can mange 500 or 600 lbs but it is a point load leveraged a few feet rear of the axle - so it points the nose up.

My F150 really squats badly with our 25' front bedroom on the hitch with no WD. Not comfortable at all.

The F250 squats much less and it can handle the tonque weight of the Airstream or my cargo trailer without WD. Short distance is fine.

I never use WD on the 10.000lb cargo trailer - most of the time I can position the load to manage tongue weight. Hard to do with a travel trailer.

You will have to decide when you get there and set it down on your hitch.

Are there no WD brackets on the Airstream?

dkottum · 08-13-2014, 04:00 PM

I hope you are not moving so fast on it you cannot check for leaks, floor rot, and corrosion as well as a complete systems check. These things can be a nightmare if not properly maintained, and many owners have no idea what proper maintenance is.

Can you hire or rent a heavy duty truck to get it home.

BoldAdventure · 08-13-2014, 04:04 PM

Yeah, I might have to find who can get one to me quickly or one of the cheaper solutions as a stand by. Probably try to drive out to Tampa RV or Camping World.

I figured if we where buying from one city over it might not be bad, but now we're talking all day across two states. Hmm...

And the Ram's like to squat, they have coil springs out back. I have integrated electronic sway control. But who knows if that's worth it's weight for the trouble.

Just worried that I wouldn't be able to get a pro-ride by the weekend, and figure out how to put it on by myself to tow back.

Adventures await I suppose. Thanks guys.

Wayward · 08-13-2014, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoldAdventure

I have integrated electronic sway control. But who knows if that's worth it's weight for the trouble.

It will really help. But still drive as if you did not have it.

surfpod · 08-13-2014, 04:15 PM

Seeing as how you're full timing, I might be inclined to set up the WD. I'm about to pick up a '62 Safari. Not nearly the weight. 4 hours on I-95. But, I won't be taking that highway. So, I figure it'll be double the time. I will hookup the Reese that I have. What year is the 27'? Best of luck.

**Stefrobrts** · 08-13-2014, 04:26 PM

I would research a shop in the area you are buying it at where you could tow it to and get set up to properly tow it home. I think it would be worth the extra time for the peace of mind to know you were going to have a safe trip. You might also have them run through and check brakes, etc before setting out. 10hrs is a pretty long trip if you're white knuckling it all the way.

Wayward · 08-13-2014, 04:42 PM

WD and sway control installation video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdDSJt69Ryo

Lance M · 08-13-2014, 04:59 PM

I would not do it without WD. I don't know what your schedule is, but don't rush. This is a big undertaking. If you are going to buy a PP anyway, I'd wait until you can get it shipped to the trailer and install it before the drive home.
Good luck and congratulations!

BoldAdventure · 08-13-2014, 05:02 PM

Good old craigslist. https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/rvs/4613158034.html

Well, think I'll just spend a lil more time and find a WD hitch, not going to chance it. I'll call some of the dealers too in the area near there. I think I had in my head that it was more involved than it is.

Lance M · 08-13-2014, 05:21 PM

So did you buy the hitch in the ad?

Looks like a deal!

BoldAdventure · 08-13-2014, 05:25 PM

No I just found the ad like 10 mins ago. But they're only 45mins away. Going to email them about it.

mefly2 · 08-13-2014, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoldAdventure

Good old craigslist. https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/rvs/4613158034.html

Well, think I'll just spend a lil more time and find a WD hitch, not going to chance it. I'll call some of the dealers too in the area near there. I think I had in my head that it was more involved than it is.

3/4 or 1/2 Laramie?
If 3/4 you can reduce your travel speed and likely get by ...

J. Morgan · 08-14-2014, 01:47 AM

I pulled my 31 footer with my 4x4 half ton Chevy no WD safely for between ten and fifteen thousand miles.

I never NEEDED WD nearly as much as I needed anti sway.

Imo, keep it under 62 and you will be fine on your trip home.

xrvr · 08-14-2014, 05:22 AM

From Ga to Fl you can stay off the interstate. Go slow, take your time.google where rv places may be along the way if you need help. Jd Sanders in north Fl can help if you get this far and need assistance. Jim

r carl · 08-14-2014, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoldAdventure

I probably already know the answer to this question... We're going to be picking up our Airstream soon, private seller. No WD. I always planned on getting a pro-ride, but wondering if I need to order it to move an empty 27 footer from GA to Florida. About a 10hr drive.

.

Did you ask the seller what he thought? I would think he would know.

BoldAdventure · 08-14-2014, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

I hope you are not moving so fast on it you cannot check for leaks, floor rot, and corrosion as well as a complete systems check. These things can be a nightmare if not properly maintained, and many owners have no idea what proper maintenance is.

Can you hire or rent a heavy duty truck to get it home.

Our first Airstream, but not my first rodeo in the world of towing or trailers. I worked maintenance for a mobile home park for 4 yrs in my early 20's learned a lot. And growing up, I spent every summer with my grandfather and a new camper traveling and being taught the in's and out's. If anyone ever stayed at Willow Lake Park campground in Ohio between 93-97, I was there every summer as a kid.

Thanks for your concern. The Airstream is in a indoor storage at a dealership and it's been appraised and inspected. Just no money has been exchanged. I'm just trying to get my ducks in a row. I've been watching for several months how long these things DO NOT stay for sale in my price range.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zigzagguzzi

From Ga to Fl you can stay off the interstate. Go slow, take your time.google where rv places may be along the way if you need help. Jd Sanders in north Fl can help if you get this far and need assistance. Jim

When we moved from VA to here, we kept coming down 301 as we made the transition. So we will probably look for some state routes.