John E Davies said:
Have you considered using an equalizing hitch? What's the tongue weight as you have it loaded in the picture? Unladen it is almost 400 pounds, and that's a heck of a vertical load on the rear end of an 80. I used to tow with a 1984 3/4 ton 2wd Suburban (with the 1 Ton 14 bolt rear end) and even with that I wouldn't consider towing that much tongue weight without an equalizing hitch of some sort.
How do you like the trailer and how does it tow off-pavement? I am sort-of considering the smaller Evo 1 for camping with my KTM dirt bike. The tongue weight is a real negative feature for me - you can't tow on bad surfaces with an equalizing hitch because it doesn't articulate well and it hangs WAY down, and that is just the situation where you need it most. Bummer. Some more pics would be greatly appreciated.
John Davies
Spokane WA
John:
Tongue weight on the stock towing package is 500lbs. I regularly see that and more with my car hauler. Equalizer hitches (I have both equalizer and equalizer/sway setups) aren't an automatic without a lot of variables. My Brewer car trailer tracks flawlessly when properly loaded (I load to the 60/40 trailer rule, the tongue weight doesn't matter to me).
In my trailer towing experience, finding level on a given trailer is the biggest key. Fully loaded (80 and trailer) I prefer perfect level trailer frame. With the airbags, tongue weight isn't really an issue to me (YMMV). In fact, when I rented the Mallard above, the only question I asked the RV guy was "what's the trailer hitch level measure". He repeatedly expressed his appreciation of my question, and was quick to respond.
Overall height and trailer loading are the next two keys. Height really isn't an issue with a popup, but it is with an enclosed. I personally won't run with an enclosed again without some sort of sway control. However, I'd run a popup to max tongue without any, especially if it's properly loaded and level to the ground.
Finally, a good brake controller and proper tuning of it can overcome some of the above. Too much trailer brake can cause some nasty sway, and is the most dangerous (IMO) variable in proper trailering. I tend to go by feel, I want my combined setup to brake the same as my 80 sans trailer. The tendency by many is to put too much brake to the trailer to "save" the 80 brakes. 80's especially, are very sensitive to this, as a quick tug on the rear end of an 80 can start a nasty oscillation. Hence my tendency toward inertial controllers.
John, for your preference/concerns my suggestion is to put on the equalizer to 'get' where you are going (read:highway), then pull the bars (or even change out the rear hitch) for the ground clearance as you head off/rough roading.
HTH
Scott Justusson
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