towing 1983 tt with Rav4 question

[gpadon]

I am towing our 1983 sunline with a 6cyl Rav4. Class 3 hitch. When the tt is attached to the tv, even using a drop down towbar, the nose of the tt is not level(up in the air). This makes the tt tend to sway & fishtail some if you go over 50 mph. If I drop the drawbar- or whatever it is called- even more the jack hits the road. What can I do? Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

[Steve Collins]

Originally Posted by gpadon

I am towing our 1983 sunline with a 6cyl Rav4. Class 3 hitch. When the tt is attached to the tv, even using a drop down towbar, the nose of the tt is not level(up in the air). This makes the tt tend to sway & fishtail some if you go over 50 mph. If I drop the drawbar- or whatever it is called- even more the jack hits the road. What can I do? Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

Is the trailer nose high and the rear skids are hitting the ground?
Or is the nose low and the front a-frame jack is hitting the ground?
Are you using a weight distributing set-up?
Do you have any kind of sway control?
What model, length, and dry weight is your Sunline?

If possible, please post some pictures of the trailer and the tow vehicle.
What would be especially helpful is for us to see the hitch setup as you currently have it. A side view of the trailer hitched to the tow vehicle is really good. Zoom in so that we can see the rear bumper of the tow vehicle and the whole a-frame. A full side view of the trailer hitched up would be good, too. Need to see how the whole trailer sits relative to the hitch. And, we need to see all components of the hitch system while hitched to the trailer, if possible.

If you are just towing on the ball, there are some solutions.
If you have a weight distributing set-up, there are other solutions.

It would also help to know what the ball height is, measured to the top of the ball.
With the trailer disconnected, make sure it's level front-to-rear on a reasonably flat surface, and then measure from the top of coupler (right about where the top of the ball would be) to the ground.
And, please tell us the height from the ground to the bottom of the 2"x2" opening in the receiver on the RAV4.

Until you tell us more about what you have, it's not easy to give you good information. Thanks.

[Honda03842]

We tow with an equivalent Tow Vehicle, a Honda CRV and have no problem. I quess the major question is what model Sunline do you have? ...Length? Model #?

With our CRV we use a drop ball receiver of about two inches and our trailer sits flat. The rear jacks do not hit unless there is some unusual slope to a driveway. In that case we just avoid those situations.

Our trailer is very light and we are able to use a friction sway bar to resolve sway issues, as well I don't believe that anyone makes weight distribution hitches for our little Sunline.

Length and Model and someone will be able to help you.

[Steve Collins]

Originally Posted by Honda03842

Our trailer is very light and we are able to use a friction sway bar to resolve sway issues, as well I don't believe that anyone makes weight distribution hitches for our little Sunline.

Reese makes a light weight version of their WD system. It's available in single weight arm fortrailers like a boat trailer, and they have a traditional two arm system for the conventional TT a-frame.

Weight arms are rated at 350#. It's just right for the larger pop-ups and the smaller TT's like yours, Norm. (I realize that your setup doesn't seem to need WD, but it is available if needed.)

It will work with any Class III hitch with a 2"x2" receiver opening.

[Honda03842]

Thanks Steve, maybe I'll need it for my 22 footer.