I have a question. If my old school load leveling bars (w/o any sway control) adequately equalize the load on my tow vehicle, and I do not experience any sway to speak of (even up to 70mph), do I need sway control? I ask this because I am looking into updating my Globetrotter's hitch setup so that I can tow it with both my '06 Sequoia and my '69 Cutlass. According to Airstream, my tongue weight is 396# empty, so I would guess it closer to 500+ with full propane & fresh water tanks filled. I anticipate that I should be using 600# bars. Is this correct?
I have a question. If my old school load leveling bars (w/o any sway control) adequately equalize the load on my tow vehicle, and I do not experience any sway to speak of (even up to 70mph), do I need sway control? I ask this because I am looking into updating my Globetrotter's hitch setup so that I can tow it with both my '06 Sequoia and my '69 Cutlass. According to Airstream, my tongue weight is 396# empty, so I would guess it closer to 500+ with full propane & fresh water tanks filled. I anticipate that I should be using 600# bars. Is this correct?
Absolutely correct.
Using a Reese straight line would be perfect for your use.
Being a newbee, the info that you more experienced streamers have passed on, specially ANDY Rogozinski, is more then appreciated!!!! Thanks for taking the time and effort. It has made a difference and added to the safety factor for all. Thanks again.
Great article - thanks for posting! There were a few things I found surprising and counterintuitive to some extent, especially the part about using lighter rated bars with heavier tow vehicles. My guess is that the heavier the suspension (i.e. with larger TVs) the less weight needed to transfer to the front axle?
What I found surprising is that the whole loss-of-control phenomenon seems so poorly understood. One would think that the RV industry as a whole would want to sponsor this type of research to help design their products for greater safety.
Speaking from personal experience, we recently installed a Reese straight line system with 600lb bars to our Tundra / 19' Bambi setup and the difference it made to overall handling, control and ride was dramatic. Case-in-point, we towed a few hours home the other weekend and while unpacking we noticed that we had left our 2 stainless steel wine glasses out on the table from the previous night. They were still standing upright.
You had me by the whatchees a couple of years ago when I first came across a reference to, The Twelve Questions, and I'm afraid I pestered the issue a few times to learn what-was-what. I have seen and said thanks on another thread for them, and now I want to say thanks for having ALL the basics in one place that you have so often cited; this will be easy to cite for others, so, more thanks!!
Yours,
P.S. (I can't resist) Any more on the possible revival of the Safe-T-Tow (name & spelling?); the near-patented or patented electrical anti-sway device Inland offered so many years ago? With the right hitch and rigging, an excellent brake controller, the above device sounded like icing on the cake for automatic side-to-side application of the trailer brakes in the event of sway. (Sounds similar to what the OEM's are now claiming to offer).
Thanks, (yet again).
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What I found surprising is that the whole loss-of-control phenomenon seems so poorly understood. One would think that the RV industry as a whole would want to sponsor this type of research to help design their products for greater safety.
Speaking from personal experience, we recently installed a Reese straight line system with 600lb bars to our Tundra / 19' Bambi setup and the difference it made to overall handling, control and ride was dramatic. Case-in-point, we towed a few hours home the other weekend and while unpacking we noticed that we had left our 2 stainless steel wine glasses out on the table from the previous night. They were still standing upright.
RV manufactures, sell more trailers when owners crash their old ones, regardless of the reasons.
That's the best reason I have found in 40 plus years, as to why they "ALL" don't want to get involved.
Many owners have converted as you have, with the same positive results, but they don't let anyone else know about it.
How should we say it???
TIME FOR CHANGE, in positive ways without asking for a bail out.
"RV manufactures, sell more trailers when owners crash their old ones, regardless of the reasons."
If I crashed a trailer, I would either be too dead, too broke, or too scared to buy another trailer.
Even if the RV manufacturers were trying to isolate themselves from liability, it doesn't make sense. The more crashes, the more chance of a law suit.
Airstream should put a calculater on their website.
Mega Kudos to you, even if you slammed my beloved Equal-I-Zer
I agree with you totally that there are a lot of guys on here who are quick to slam those who try. Yet what have they done? Re that "other" thread that has degenerated terribly in the past week or so....
Wasn't it Teddy Roosevelt who said something to the effect of "Do not shun the one who tries and fails. That he tried is what is important. It is all too easy for the critic to make light of the fallen one; yet the fallen one is the one who tried. It is he who is the accomplished one."
Wee on those that mouth off without contributing.
I used to use a Reese Dual Cam. It towed well but was noisy and I hated the chains. I now use an Equal-I-Zer 1400lb model with the mid range load bars. But, I tow a 34' Avion and it has a MUCH heavier frame than an Airstream. It rides very well behind my Dodge 2500. Yes, I realize that it is a friction control hitch, and it does indeed offer the same small level of turn resistance when I want to turn versus when I don't want to (aka sway). But it works well for me. Truth be known, the triple axle trailer has a natural tendancy to not sway anyway. It is the load distribution properties that I think made the major difference in handling.
From my P.E. in mechancal engineering nerd perspective, the Hensley still reigns supreme. The physics of it just work. Someday I'll machine one out of aluminum and have a light weight one that naturally resists sway. But for now, It's just me and the Eq.
On the Safe-T-Tow, just reach down and slide the lever over manually. Got to keep your wits about you at all times
But anyway, I for one take my hat off to you for trying. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Andy. Read it, printed it, and will share it with my other RV friends! Appreciate all the info you share on this forum. It has helped more than you know - esp. for a newbie like me. Very grateful.
Even if the RV manufacturers were trying to isolate themselves from liability, it doesn't make sense. The more crashes, the more chance of a law suit.
Airstream should put a calculater on their website.
I know is doesn't make sense, but the fact remains, "thats the way it is," like it or not, for all of us.
So, what can be done?
Far less negative griping about it and finding fault with anyone that tries.
Far more positive thinking or actions, to resolve the issue, within reason, the best we can.
I wonder about the absolute "must have' coupled with the "nobody has real knowledge" and "not a single hitch manufacturer, can spec out “what is a safe” and secure load equalizing hitch setup, and why." - If you don't know why and nobody can measure its function and there is no way to measure its effect, how can you make absolute requirements for its necessity?
It also seems to be a diatribe about anyone who would have the audacity to question its recommendations or assertions as well as a bashing without substance of certain brands where the experience of the public does not agree with the assertions made.
Then there is the 'study' with the conflation of sway with load leveling, a description of a very biased sample, no controls, the problems inherent in using surveys as valid measures, no peer review, no data, many conjectures and assertions ("based on experience and physics with no definition of what these might be, their substance, or their measure).
What is comes down to is a repetition of assertions made in these forums with no substance, no rationale, no means to measure its effect, no balancing of factors, no way to determine relative risks compared to other facets involved in rigging or equipment choice,
This is sad because it is not difficult to measure the effect of a load leveling hitch and it is not difficult to measure the vibrations and bouncing in the trailer. Actually determining the correlation between these things and undesired incidents is another matter and should not be done in haphazard, slapdash hucksteristic manner, IMHO.
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