Need educatin'....
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Western NC
Need educatin'....
OK...I FINALLY went ahead and purchased a travel trailer this week and I need to be enlightened on few things. I know very, very little about all this, so any advice or direction will be very useful to me. For starters, I need to find out about weight distributing hitches, sway control, and trailer brake controllers. The trailer is 31 feet from hitch to back bumper. It weighs 7700 pounds and the tongue weight is 700 pounds. I am sure that I will be able to come up with another question or two (or 20) later as I attempt to learn what I need to know! THANKS in advance.........
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
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From: Denton,TX
I use a Reese WDH with dual cam sway control. There are plenty of others on the market as well. As far as brake controllers, the Tekonsha Prodigy is the best in my book. What all do you want to know?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Mesa
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: USA
You can also check out www.reeseprod.com, the Reese hitch manufacturer's site, for a complete description of how their weight distributing hitch systems work as well as some general towing and hitch info. I agree, the RV.net site/forum is a truly great place for towing info, and a great bunch of people to get to know as well.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Western NC
Thanks for those links. I visit the RV.net forums a lot (not as much as here), and I had been to IRV.com a while back, but not in a while. I will read as much as I have time to do!
John, basically I need to know anything I can get when it comes to towing. I haven't pulled anything behind a truck in about 25 years, and what I have to tow now is a LOT bigger than what I pulled back then. I just want to make sure that I am doing things the right, and SAFE way, before I take off down the road. I also want to understand how the WD hitches work, and whatnot. Basically any and all info is welcomed!
John, basically I need to know anything I can get when it comes to towing. I haven't pulled anything behind a truck in about 25 years, and what I have to tow now is a LOT bigger than what I pulled back then. I just want to make sure that I am doing things the right, and SAFE way, before I take off down the road. I also want to understand how the WD hitches work, and whatnot. Basically any and all info is welcomed!
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 849
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From: Leesburg , Fl.
Like john said the dual cam is a good unit. When you buy your WD hitch make sure they show you the proper way to set it up ( every trailer will be different and the loading of your trailer will make a difference ) with your trailer . They should show you how to adjust it for your combo . The Prodigy is the way to go , it will plug in to the wiring harness under the dash . The brake controler comes with very good instructions and thy even have an 800 # and web site for help . Once you have everything hooked up and ready to roll , take a nice leisurely ride in the country and get comfortable with everything . I'm sure you remember how to back a trailer , if not it will come back too you real quick ! You mentioned the 30 footer is longer than what you pulled before , just watch your right turns to make sure the trailer is tracking where you think it is . Backing is easier with a longer trailer because it will not cut so fast allowing you to follow it right around . As long as you take it slow you can back that trailer ( almost ) any where you want ! 
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Western NC
It seems like the Prodigy brake controller is an excellent choice, from what I have read. I have been shopping around the Internet for them. I see that rvwholesalers.com offers them for $99.99, plus $9 shipping, plus $11.xx for the wiring to fit my truck. The brakecontrollers.com price is $124.95 with free shipping. I also saw them on ebay, but some of them had a Draw-Tite name on them instead of the actual Prodigy name. What's up with that?
Do I need the wiring harness for my '00 truck? I have not had a chance to look under the dash to see what I have as far as a plug-in goes. And, will the new Prodigy work with my '91 camper? I assume it will, but I figured I should make sure before I keep looking.........
THANKS, everyone, for the help!
Do I need the wiring harness for my '00 truck? I have not had a chance to look under the dash to see what I have as far as a plug-in goes. And, will the new Prodigy work with my '91 camper? I assume it will, but I figured I should make sure before I keep looking.........
THANKS, everyone, for the help!
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Leesburg , Fl.
Yes the Prodigy will work with your trailer . What it does is energize the magnets in the trailer brakes . Yes you need the wiring harness to plug into your trucks wiring . The reason for the wiring harness is Tekonsha builds one Prodigy unit , and offers differnt wiring " adaptors " for the many applications to keep costs down ( less inventory ) . I have a '95 Aljo 29' , older model WD hitch and a Tekonsha Commando brake controler , I pull it with my '96 F350 CC DRW and you have to check the mirrors to make sure it's still there , it pulls that easy !
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Western NC
I have decided to get the Prodigy. Before I go ahead and order one from rvwholesalers.com, I bid on one I found on ebay. If that works out, then I will have saved a few bucks. The auctionends in 2 days. That'll give me a chance to start working on getting a hitch. Did I mention that my wife has decided that we need to go camping in two weeks - Labor Day weekend? I may have to take out another loan......... 
At least you live in a beautiful state for camping .