Looking at Swift 185

[mako236]

Hello,
I'm pretty new to RV'ing and am excited about buying my first travel trailer. I've looked at quite a few in the 18 ft range and the Swift 185 is one that I keep coming back to. Aside from local camping, I plan on towing it back and forth from NJ to TN. Has anyone towed this (or its's 184 cousin) trailer on long highway trips? Any sway issues with the single axle setup? I'd appreciate any input on how folks view the trailer after some use.
I tow with a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab and dont anticipate any need for weight distribution but maybe anti sway bars.

Thanks, Tom

[LBL 1206]

I have the 184 and have done I-81/I-40. Sway bar is all you really need. Others will give reasons for WDH, but not necessary w/your vehicle.
We looked at the 185 and are really happy with the 184 though. Though basically the same trailer, the 184 seems to have more useable indoor space.
We can covert the table to same size bed as the 185 but of course we do give up the immediate use of the dining table. There is just the two of us so we
have some flexibility to how we utilize it. I've even slept on the "couch" by removing the back cushion, wife slept on bottom bunk. Anyways, your choice of the 185
if it meets your needs is a good choice.

[dlindsay001]

I tow my 184BH with a 2010 1500 Silverado. I have a simple friction sway control and I have never had any sway. I have taken the camper on 3 hour drives at 65 MPH on the interstate and it handles very well even in higher winds (which we seem to have often here in the midwest) and even when passed by semi trailers. Weight distribution is not needed and I think you would be very happy with the handling of this set up.

[mako236]

Thank you both for your input. I was hoping the relatively small size of this trailer would make an easy highway haul and It seems to be the case. LBL, what is your TV? I plan on the same run and wonder how you make out on the hill of east TN. I've towed many things from open race car trailers to my Kubota with various tow vehicles, but this Sierra is the lightest TV I've ever pulled with. I've never pulled anything with the wind resistance of a travel trailer so that's why I was concerned with sway.

I'll probably post a few more questions on the 185 as I think of them. It seems everybody likes the 184/185's who owns them.

[LBL 1206]

I tow w/a 1998 Ford F-150 w/the tow package. We bought it new in 1998 to tow our 1998 Jayco Eagle 5th wheel. It was only 24 feet long. However, it pulled it
from Middle, Tn (Nashville Area) to Winchester, Va several times. Mountains of western N.C., numerous trips to Florida, and trips to Chattanooga. Talk about mountains! No problems. The fifth wheel RV weighted over 2k lbs more than the 184 does. And yes, our 98 Ford is as good today as when we bought it new. Only 58,000 miles on it. Definitely hasn't been a daily driver. The 184 is the 3rd new Jayco this truck has pulled. As my granny use too say, "No point throwing away the dish pan along with the dishwater." LOL Don't know where you are in NJ, but I go to Mount Holly twice a yr to visit my daughter who lives there.

[bayleightucker]

We tow our 184 with a 2001 f150 6 cyl. and have no problem at all. Much of our towing is in the Sierras at elevations of up to 8000 ft. and the tt tows nicely. We do use a wdh and a sway bar and have had no problems in that area. Our biggest gripe about the tt is how dark it is inside and the fact that there are no drawers, only cupboards; plus no closet. I believe the new models have a front window which will provide more interior light. We had to add battery lights inside all the cupboarrds so you could see inside, even in the daytime. Overall though, we are happy with our choice, especially the fact that it will fit into tight spaces. Our favorite cg will nor allow rv larger than 21ft, so our 184 works nicely for us........happy camping!

[exjay1]

For what its worth, we tow our 165 with our 6cyl Envoy using just a side sway bay no WDH and have had no problems on highways. The 185 is a good choice!

[mako236]

thanks exjay. How do like the Swift?

[epbigfoot]

I bought my 185RB in March, near Elkhart, In. I tow with a 2007 5.3 Ext Cab 4x4. I live in Southeast Mo, and from where I bought it to home, I averaged 12.4 MPG. Between 60-65. I have had no trouble with towing, swaying and it is narrow enough to be able to use factory mirrors on my Sierra. The only thing I plan on doing is adding another LP tank. I hunt and this past week didnt realize the tank was almost empty, till it ran out of LP at 1:30 in the morning. I am very pleased with the 2012 unit. It does set lower than the old 23ft Resort so I have to be careful when going to the woods. On a scale of 1-10 I would give it a 9. Don

[exjay1]

Originally Posted by mako236

thanks exjay. How do like the Swift?

We looked very hard at the 185 and liked it but ended up going with a barely used Jayfeather at a great price. If the 185 had the larger fridge and the L shaped dinnette we would have it in our driveway now.

[xkuzme1]

I tow my 184BH with my Jeep Wrangler 4 dr. It tows great. I don't get any sway and I only use a friction sway bar. I don't need a weight distribution hitch. I have towed about 2500 miles so far and it pulls nicely.

Congrats on the new camper and welcome!

X

[iLLBRED]

Congrats on the new camper ! I tow my 2012 184bh with my Chevrolet Equinox with WDH and Sway bar.

No sway at 60mph (100km/hr) even with semis.

Congrats.

[CampingNesslers]

We just pulled our Swift SLX 165 home this eekend with a 2006 Chev. Colorado. We have upgraded from tent camping and really excited about using our new Jayco. Am considering weight distribution system or sway bars - anyone have any thoughts on this? Thus far all 20 miles have gone great!

[muelldawg]

We tow our Sport 165 without weight distribution or sway bars. Many long trips to Texas and Washington and no issues.

[exjay1]

With the 165/185 models the need for a WDH really depends on your TV. A smaller V6 suv/van I would say your better off with one if you carry alot of weight expecially in your TV on trips.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by CampingNesslers

We just pulled our Swift SLX 165 home this eekend with a 2006 Chev. Colorado. We have upgraded from tent camping and really excited about using our new Jayco. Am considering weight distribution system or sway bars - anyone have any thoughts on this? Thus far all 20 miles have gone great!

CampingNesselers,

Welcome to JOF

Since you already have the TV/HTT, the best way to eliminate all the guess work is load up your TV/HTT combination and visit your local CAT scale ($12). The information derived from the CAT scale will tell you if you need a WDH (weight distribution hitch), and if you do what size spring bar weight rating. The CAT data will also provide all weight information to compare against your TV/HTT weight limit specifications, and confirm that the proper weight remains on your TV's front axle (steering control).

If you find that a WDH isn't required, IMO you can never go wrong having a friction sway control bar (especially on a single axle trailer).

CAT Scale how to: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...igh-Your-tt-tv

Bob

[Westerncanuck]

How heavy is the 185? I tow a jayco x213 with my Dodge Hemi 1/2 ton with just a WDH...didn't have any issues with sway. The shape of the front end of my trailer also reduces drag too.....as far as gas mileage goes..pretty much goes out the window....when you have 5000 lbs behind you with about an additional 1500 lbs with passengers and cargo in the truck. My truck had no problems keeping up with traffic. I am going the add air bags for the rear end to help keep it all level.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Westerncanuck

snip...... I tow a jayco x213 with my Dodge Hemi 1/2 ton with just a WDH...didn't have any issues with sway.....snip

A properly set-up TV/HTT combination with just a WDH such as yours shouldn't experience any sway under most towing towing conditions..., but the friction sway control comes into play should a sway event arise do to an unexpected towing condition.

Bob

[CampingNesslers]

Rustic Eagle

Thanks for the welcome and for the advice, I think you nailed it, that is the best way to know what you need. During the next couple of years I intend to get a larger tv, but the Colorado will have to do for now.