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02-08-2017, 05:57 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Clanton
Posts: 15
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Adventures begin! First RV!
We brought our first trailer home today! We are so excited! My first time pulling a travel trailer, I could feel each breeze and knew when an 18 wheeler came next to us......  I was pretty nervous, but after a little while it got better. We took it into town, and quickly found the newbie pain of the right hand turn! I managed to drive over a couple curbs....  Thank God no damage.
2014 White Hawk 27RBOK with all the packages.
2013 F150 XLT, 5.0L, 3.31 rear locker
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02-08-2017, 06:17 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,580
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Welcome From Denver 
Your post has me begging the question, what weight distributing hitch are you using on your Ford?
I'm towing a little heavier than you (not by much though) with pretty much the same truck. I seem to only clinch onto the steering wheel a little tighter when I'm doing 64 mph in a zone rated for 85 and I have "18 wheelers" with double trailers passing me.
I know some of what you experienced is due to being new to all of this, but I'm wondering if your hitch is properly setup and what you went with in that area.
__________________
2016 27BHS Elite
2012 F-150 EcoBoost / Max Tow (Sold)
2017 'Blue Jeans' 6.2 F-250 Lariat 4.3 gears.
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02-08-2017, 06:21 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 2,945
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Welcome. You will become more comfortable the more miles you drive. Soon you will zip through construction zones at night in the rain.
The views expressed may not be mine in five minutes.
__________________
2017 JayFlight 21QB
2021 Ford F150 SCrew 3.5 Eco, 157”, 3.55, Tow Pkg
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02-08-2017, 06:42 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Congratulations on your new White Hawk and to the wonderful world of towing trailers!
You must use a weight distributing hitch and anti-sway. What do you use now? From your description it may not up to the task or, possibly, not setup correctly.
Towing comfortably and safely may also require that you make changes to your truck tires and shock absorbers. And, to be safe, you'll need to take a close look at your trailer's tires and check the date code to find out how old they are.
I don't mean to rain on your parade. Your towing skills will come with practice we just want you to be safe as you gain experience.
__________________
Sherm & Terry w/rescue Eydie (min Schnauzer) & Charley (std Poodle)
SOLD:2015 Jay Flight 27RLS, GY Endurance (E), Days: 102 '15, 90 '16, 80 '17, 161 '18, 365+ '20
SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
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02-08-2017, 07:45 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Clanton
Posts: 15
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I am using a Curt TruTrack setup rated for 10K tow, and 1K hitch. It was actually quite stable, but I have never towed a vehicle that is a relatively high riding box. It's really the first time jitters. I tend to overthink things! My truck has passenger tires, so I may be feeling them flex. I am told that light truck tires would ride better.
The other adventure, of course, was backing it onto the new pad next to the garage. I ended up going through some of the soggy lawn. Kinda made a mess.
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02-08-2017, 07:56 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Black River Falls, Wi
Posts: 1,154
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Congrats on the new White Hawk and surviving the first tow. Recall our first tow and how short it was - good because I'm not able to hold my breath too long
__________________
2019 Pinnacle 36 FBTS
2016 Silverado 3500 CC SRW DuraMax/Allison
1975 Corvette for the sunny days n dry roads
2017 RZR for the rainy days n muddy roads
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02-08-2017, 09:41 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PeaceNCamp
I am using a Curt TruTrack setup rated for 10K tow, and 1K hitch. It was actually quite stable, but I have never towed a vehicle that is a relatively high riding box. It's really the first time jitters. I tend to overthink things! My truck has passenger tires, so I may be feeling them flex. I am told that light truck tires would ride better.
The other adventure, of course, was backing it onto the new pad next to the garage. I ended up going through some of the soggy lawn. Kinda made a mess. |
Glad to hear the sway isn't the issue that it seemed from your first post. First time jitters will make for a 'white knuckle' drive and a seriously puckered sphincter. 
One thing for you to check, however, is the setup of your hitch. You should have a manual or there should be one online. If your bars are set too light, the front of your truck will be too light and tend to wander. Some dealers get the setup right, sadly many more of them get it wrong.
__________________
Sherm & Terry w/rescue Eydie (min Schnauzer) & Charley (std Poodle)
SOLD:2015 Jay Flight 27RLS, GY Endurance (E), Days: 102 '15, 90 '16, 80 '17, 161 '18, 365+ '20
SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
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02-08-2017, 10:08 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: State of Confusion
Posts: 5,013
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Congrats on your first rig and towing experience!
It does look like you will be pretty maxed out if your trailer is loaded. Hope your F150 has the payload for everything.
Murff
__________________
Murff
2015 White Hawk 20MRB (It's last year)
2017 F150 2.7 Eco Boost 3.73 Gears
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02-08-2017, 11:23 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Auburn, WA
Posts: 1,855
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PeaceNCamp
I am using a Curt TruTrack setup rated for 10K tow, and 1K hitch. It was actually quite stable, but I have never towed a vehicle that is a relatively high riding box. It's really the first time jitters. I tend to overthink things! My truck has passenger tires, so I may be feeling them flex. I am told that light truck tires would ride better.
The other adventure, of course, was backing it onto the new pad next to the garage. I ended up going through some of the soggy lawn. Kinda made a mess. |
Congrats on the new camper and welcome to the forum. If you haven't done so, try inflating the TV tires to the max cold pressure listed on the sidewall. That will help reduce any flex from the softer P-rated tires. Even with our fairly light unit I could feel the improvement in the tow experience once I started doing this.
__________________
TT: 2019 ORV Timber Ridge 23DBS, Blue Ox SwayPro 15K/1500
TV: 2019 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCab LB, 6.2L, 4.30/e-locker, 4x4, 164" WB, RoadActive Suspension, 3216 payload
TV: 2014 RAM 1500 Big Horn CC (Traded in)
TT: 2015 Jay Flight SLX 195RB Baja Edition, Andersen No-Sway (Traded in)
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02-13-2017, 03:49 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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CONGRATULATIONS on the JAYCO!!!
...and WELCOME TO JOF!!! The members here are GREAT!!! There is a lot of GREAT information to be found here. I am sure that you will have information and pictures to share with us... so please do!!
Don
My Registry
RVing with SOLAR
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02-13-2017, 05:08 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Duxbury
Posts: 7,113
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Congratulations and welcome!
__________________
Rob & Kelly, Bella & Brady (Miniature Schnauzers)
2022 Eagle HT 28.5RSTS
2017 RAM 3500 SRW CTD/AISIN CC LB
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02-13-2017, 06:06 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Abilene
Posts: 579
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Howdy.
As stated, you'll relax some after a few more trips.
LT tires will make a difference. I just upgraded and towed last week.
Much more comfortable. Be aware anytime you're being passed though.
I don't believe the "push" ever goes away completely.
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02-13-2017, 06:33 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Rancho Mirage, CA
Posts: 713
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Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new Jayco! The driving and backing-up will get better the more you do them. Remember to take your time and have fun. 
__________________
Diego the German Shepherd & Family
2021 Ford F-250 Crew Cab, 7.3 Gas-10 speed
2006 Toyota Sequoia-Sold
2015 Jayco Jay Flight 23MB Elite
Previous RV's, 1988 33-foot Barth Class A and 1994 Flagstaff Pop-Up
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02-17-2017, 11:57 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lakewood, WA.
Posts: 4,540
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Congrats and welcome to the forum.
__________________
2023 Jayco North Point 310RLTS
2022 GMC Denali Ultimate DRW
Retired Army MSG
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02-18-2017, 06:21 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Magnolia
Posts: 4,841
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Congrats and welcome!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
2016 North Point 377 RLBH, with a few mods, disc brakes, shocks, Sailun g rated tires, wet bolts
2014 Ford F350 Platinum sold
2017 Ford F350 Lariat, CC, 6.7PSD, DRW, Trailer Saver BD3 hitch
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02-18-2017, 07:16 AM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Newark, NY
Posts: 15,912
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Welcome to the forum from Western NY!
__________________
Moderator
Think you're too old to cry or swear out loud...walk into your hitch in the dark.
2012 Jay Flight 19RD
2016 Ford F150 XLT 2X4 SC 3.5L Eco Max Tow
2010 Tundra TRD DBL Cab (Traded)
2 new fluffy Corgis, Bayley and Stanley
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02-18-2017, 07:46 AM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Clanton
Posts: 15
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Well, they set it up with the trailer empty, and it did pretty well. We are out camping now, and when the trailer was loaded, the rear of the F150 dropped about 1.5". The truck actually looks level now (original factory "rake" always has the rear about 2" higher) when we towed it to the park. The tow wasn't bad at all, but the F150 was working pretty hard. I know that a TV upgrade is in our future, as we will be heading to the mountains in the future. I'm thinking F250 or maybe the Ecoboost V6 F150, as I hear great reviews about them and have talked to a couple of people this weekend.
Thank y'all (all of you) for the warm greetings!
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