Trailer Valet XL - experience?

[Mikenbern]

I currently have a 23 foot travel trailer that weighs 5500 loaded +/- and the tongue weight is about 480 lbs

I move it in my rather tight parking area with a Trailer Valet XL. I like how it works with my dewalt 18v drill.

Their specs say this model is good for up to a 10,000 pound trailer and 1000 lbs tongue weight.

Has anybody used one of these on an AS. I am getting close to pulling the trigger on a 2017 Flying Cloud 27FB -- the tongue weight is north of 850

Has anyone used the Trailer Valet XL on a 27 or larger AS?

Thank you

Mike

[DaveP]

I have one for my AS Classic 28 which averages around 8200 #s. I also am backing it slightly uphill into it parking spot. Works great!

[DRPREECE]

I pulled the trigger on one yesterday. We'll see how it works but I think I will be pleased. I also needed to get the ProPride Lot Bar and locking plate. All in, I think this will save me a lot of frustration putting the 26U into the storage garage. And possibly maneuvering in tight camping spaces.

The TV-XL is 50lbs. The Lot Bar is probably another 20lbs. This hitch equipment is heavy!

[DaveP]

BTW, the instructions for using the Valet are not completely clear. Once you put the correct hitch ball on it, put it into the receiver, lock the ball in place, then tighten the collar up against the bottom of the receiver. That way, the Valet will not end up tilting from side to side.

[WherryWillie]

I appreciate this thread as I too am looking at the TV to push my 26U around. I've used a manual trailer dolly on lighter (2k lb boat, ~200 lb. tongue) and the handle has enough leverage to keep the ball pointed up and the hitch directly over the dolly axle. It isn't clear to me how this retains that "straight up" orientation. That handle doesn't look long enough to control the 900 lb. tongue weight.

I don't have to go up a hill, but it is packed ground, not a hard surface and there are some lumps and dips in it. Does it seem likely to work on that, from your experience?
Thanks

[WherryWillie]

Friends,
I looked up some additional videos (the e-trailer one in particular) and reread your earlier posts and I guess my questions are answered: that locking sleeve keeps in up-right, and he shows it rolling over gravel.
I think I'm going to get one of these things.
It appears to me that the 26U, with 903# tongue wait is inside the specs and will save me cutting a bunch of trees.
Thanks,

[centennialman]

I use mine on a packed gravel driveway. At times I need to lay plywood down and travel over that because the Trailer Valet will bog down into the gravel. It's not hard to do and I have used the Trailer Valet for four years. I started with the original model and upgraded to the XL last year when I bought my new Airstream.

[kjbishop2]

I have parking valet XL - Black & Decker 20V cordless with Flying Cloud 27FB won't cut it... any recommendations on best drill for this? Thanks so much.

[Mikenbern]

I now have my Flying Cloud 27 FB and the Trailer Valet XL works great using the Dewalt 18v drill

One note ~ be sure to put the plate that is on the top of the collar facing with the lip in front ~ this help prevent any tilting

[centennialman]

I prefer to crank it by hand and have total control over the speed and direction. When I tried a drill, it was too fast and didn't feel as safe.

[DaveP]

There are two points to attach the drill. The lower one is a low gearing and gives more power (and less effort for the drill). The upper point is a higher gear and will move the trailer along more quickly on a flat surface (but requires the drill to do more of the work).

I have a 28 foot Classic. I have to move my trailer up a slight incline into its parking place. Works just fine with an 18V Milwaukee and the low gear (or with the crank).

[Ted S.]

It says max tongue weight of 1000lbs.

I am slightly over that with my 30FB at 1150 lbs with propane.

Anyone pushed the limit?

[DaveP]

Hi Mikenbern,

Just curious. What plate are you talking about? Can you take a picture? Trying to figure out if this is something new that they have added.

Thanks.

[Mikenbern]

Hope this helps

[DaveP]

That is new! Looks like it would help. I'll have to contact the company. Thanks!

[centennialman]

Mikenbern.....after seeing your post, I went out to the garage and found the same plate....never knew what it was for. Then, I went to the Trailer Valet web site and saw a video on it.

When you have the plate installed under the ball, do you lock the trailer hitch down (as normal with the trailer valet) after tightening the sleeve? Their video doesn't go that far and ends with the hitch lever open/up.

Does the plate keep the valet more stable?

[Mikenbern]

Originally Posted by centennialman

Mikenbern....

When you have the plate installed under the ball, do you lock the trailer hitch down (as normal with the trailer valet) after tightening the sleeve? Their video doesn't go that far and ends with the hitch lever open/up.

Does the plate keep the valet more stable?

This is how I do it:

• lower the tongue jack on the ball
• lock the trailer hitch onto the ball of the trailer valet
• raise the tongue jack putting the valet off the ground
• start to tighten the sleeve upwards
• just before it gets tight i position the lip of the plate in the front
• tighten the sleeve hand tight
• then use the spanner wrench to fully tighten it
• let the weight onto the trailer valet by lowering the tongue jack

it makes the valet solid - i then move the trailer with the trailer valet using the drill

hope this helps

[centennialman]

Thanks! Very helpful.....I have used my trailer valet for several years and will be getting the Airstream out for de-winterizing and spring clean up today....looking forward to using the plate for added stability

[centennialman]

Mikenbern,

For the life of me, I couldn't get the ball loose out of the sleeve so I could install the plate....any ideas?

[Mikenbern]

Yes
I would use a pipe wrench on the sleeve and a large wrench on the ball base
I just had to do this to change from a 2" ball too a 2 5/16