Backing up with sway control?

[Honda03842]

My 1550 towed fine without the sway bar but people on the site reccomended it saying it would be nice to have in an emergency so we bought it. It absolutely takes no time to connect, is easy to adjust and provides a little additional control.

Like most RVers we have made one emergency stop, a stop at speed where some pulled across the highway and stopped in front of us blocking both lanes, sort of a movie like crash scene. We did an emergency stop, tires smoking and the trailer behaved like an extension of the tow vehicle. Did the sway bar help? I think so but obviously have no real proof.

Your tow vehicle is bigger and heavier than my CRV so I suspect the 1550 will even be more invisible and should tow fine but I'd still use the sway bar for that one unexpected emergency

 

[nasa42a1]

Campit.....

Keeping the transmission out of overdrive is recommended by almost all manufacturers. It helps avoid excessive lugging and/or shifting (the transmission was engineered to deal only with the load of the Tow Vehicle when in overdrive). In turn, this avoids overheating the transmission and shortening its life. Several newer truck models have a dedicated tow/haul setting on the transmission to further improve things.

Frank

 

[Campit-SUN]

Thanx for the help guys, I'm going to use the sway bar from now on, After towing my 1550 for 30 miles with my Durango (this was before I turned the over drive off) my check engine light came and is still on, and of course my extended warranty just expired Uurrggghhh!!

 

[Campit-SUN]

Oh and I wanted to mention that I have pix of my 1550 click on the community link above to see them

 

[Hematite]

Thanx for the help guys, I'm going to use the sway bar from now on, After towing my 1550 for 30 miles with my Durango (this was before I turned the over drive off) my check engine light came and is still on, and of course my extended warranty just expired Uurrggghhh!!

I just disconnect the battery for an hour and reconnect. Usually, that will reset the check engine light. A lot of times, those lights come on due to an intermittent sensor problem. If the light comes back right away then you'll have to take it to the dealer. Before you disconnect the battery, though, check your owners manual. Some vehicles don't have a problem when the battery is disconnected, some do.

 

[Honda03842]

I've also been able to disconnect the fuse that supplies the car's computer on our Honda. Sometimes after traveling on a dusty road we'll trip the check engine light and removing the fuse resets it. I subsequentently purchased a plug in device to check engine codes, only $29 at Harbor Freight.

 

[rjgrady]

Well I got the Reese SC hitch and am pleased with it. I had to get an extra long drop shank though to get the trailer level. I was surprised at that. Didn't think the Durango sat that high, but maybe it is the 1950 that sits low. Anyway, we have towed it a few hundred miles, absolutely love the trailer, and have plans for 2 more trips this month and next.

 

[JohnGB]

Well I got the Reese SC hitch and am pleased with it. I had to get an extra long drop shank though to get the trailer level. I was surprised at that. Didn't think the Durango sat that high, but maybe it is the 1950 that sits low. Anyway, we have towed it a few hundred miles, absolutely love the trailer, and have plans for 2 more trips this month and next.

Roy that's Great!!!! Good for you. Yes, Sunline has low riders and they made them that on purpose to tow easier, less wind drag.

Glad things worked out for you.

John

 

[JohnGB]

Move Que Towing discussion to new post see here

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f66/que-towing-attributes-and-axle-locations-11735.html

 

[quaddriver]

Dunno if all the answers are out yet...

but the word sway is sort of a misnomer.

its not that the trailer itself starts to sway side to side (which is actually "whipstocking") but rather with a light tongue weight - a needed evil - the moment of rotation is moved back over the trailer axles. Therefore there is nothing to keep the rig bending at the hitch point - since the tire sidewalls can flex on both trailer and 'tractor' a few inches of free lateral movement can get started and it not corrected by a pull thru or hitting the 'charlie bar' can actually induce the whipstocking, which is exacerbated on a turn or downhill, to the point that the neutrally balanced trailer can pull the rear end of the tractor around and no good comes from that.

If you have a 5th wheel hitch - never a problem. Well ok, a 5th wheel on an S10 is a problem....

if you have a 'big truck' (i.e. one with far beefier springs and rear axle than the tongue weight demands then some forego the w/d hitch and keep the moment forward (plus loading the rear tractor wheels is always a good idea)

I would always match the w/d trunion bars to the expected load. the lb rating is simply how many lbs will pull a pair of bars a certain distance from straight. since you want the hitch head to be perfectly vertical when in a neutral situation you need to 'drop links' in the chain to get the frame level and the head vertical. if you can do this with 550's (my small ez lift bars) then go with the smallest you can. I use my beavertail for a small T-L-B and never had to go more than 750's. 1200's...well...I am of the opinion, and being a professional installer, if you need 1200lb bars this is too heavy for the crud passing for vehicle frames and hitches nowadays. (plus the force behind taking off a 1200lb bar improperly will imbed your cheater to china....feet in the way be danged)

anyways, moving on to sway control, as mentioned (albeit differently) this resists the lateral movement from having an aggressive/too aggressive w/d hitch setup and the corresponding rotational moments. a good 'patch' to an unintended consequence, but as pointed out, jack-backing, or even too tight of a right turn can bend em. at the least you need to loosen the tension, as a precaution remove the pins. once bent, even the slightest, its junk forever.

I know, I ramble TMI but I see too many rigs that are "near death experiences" and by the time a lot of them get in my driveway, stuff is broken.

 

[ABianco]

I have a 1995 sunline t 1700 does anyone recommend sway bars for this travel trailer or today know how to hook up also I have a question about the as soon as you walk into my travel trailer through the door you go to the right trailer you go to the left there's a table but when you go straight ahead there is a vent that keeps blowing cold air I need to know how to turn off I believe it's the hot water heater I don't have my propane tanks on but I tried staying in it without the tanks on and it just blue cold air

 

[ABianco]

I have a 1995 sunline t 1700 does anyone recommend sway bars for this travel trailer or today know how to hook up also I have a question about the as soon as you walk into my travel trailer through the door you go to the right trailer you go to the left there's a table but when you go straight ahead there is a vent that keeps blowing cold air I need to know how to turn off I believe it's the hot water heater I don't have my propane tanks on but I tried staying in it without the tanks on and it just blows cold air And can anyone tell me if that model would have electric brakes on it it's a tandem I was recently in a house fire on December 13th which was Friday the 13th of all days but a few days prior I brought in my manuals cuz I wanted to read them and there was nothing better to do and they ended up burning up so now I'm relying on you guys for answers and there was a gentleman who usually answered me quite quickly but if anyone knows or has any owners manuals for the t1700 please let me know like I said there's a vent I believe it's for the hot water heater and it just keeps blowing cold air I try to power it off but it doesn't instantly turn off so I don't know if there's a delay on it or what it's on the opposite end of the refrigerator and the vent is as soon as you walk in right by the sink at the end of the counter by the jack nice sofa also I sent a picture of my dinette table Can anyone tell me if it transforms into a bed if it does how do I do it like does it twist down does it come up for like does the top come off that pole and then I pulled a pole out the floor or is it fixed their permanently Thank everybody in advance for your answers and just reading my crazy post looking forward to hearing from somebody Thank you all very much again in advance

 

[JohnGB]

I have a 1995 sunline t 1700 does anyone recommend sway bars for this travel trailer or today know how to hook up also I have a question about the as soon as you walk into my travel trailer through the door you go to the right trailer you go to the left there's a table but when you go straight ahead there is a vent that keeps blowing cold air I need to know how to turn off I believe it's the hot water heater I don't have my propane tanks on but I tried staying in it without the tanks on and it just blue cold air

Hi,

You have two questions here.

Regarding the trailer hitch, you ask if the camper needs "sway bars." Many new folks to camper towing call "sway bars" a part of an actual weight distribution style hitch that uses weight distribution bars. These weight distribution bars are springs, and when adjusted correctly, they help the truck handle the weight of a camper pushing down on the tow ball of the tow vehicle.

See the picture here for a standard weight distribution (WD) hitch. This brand and round-bar style of weight distribution bars have chains on the ends. Those bars are springs that apply an upward force to act on the hitch, moving some weight off the truck's rear axle and distributing it to the front truck axle and a little to the trailer axle. Depending on the tow vehicle, this can make for a more stable towing rig, as the front of the truck is not bouncing around.

That picture also shows an independent friction sway bar, which helps dampen trailer sway. It is not to be confused with weight distribution bars. You do not have to have a WD hitch to use a friction sway bar, but some setups require both.

Without knowing your tow vehicle, it is hard to tell if you will need a WD hitch, a friction sway bar, or a standard drawbar and a tow ball with a friction sway bar. If your truck is large enough, you may not need any WD hitch or friction sway bar. Trailer hitches are available in many different combinations and ratings. They are tools designed to help with specific towing situations.

To answer your question, we would like to know what your tow vehicle is and what it is equipped with. This post can help as a start. It's a little involved, but it will help explain some of this. https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f72/towing-a-tt-info-for-those-new-to-towing-10775.html

Next question:

How do you turn it off on the furnace that keeps blowing cold air? Look for a wall-mounted thermostat. Many have an on/off switch and a lever you adjust to change the temp setting. Turn the switch off. That should shut down the furnace. Since you never lit the burner, it may take a minute or so to cycle down or go off instantly.

Hope this helps

John

 

[JohnGB]

snip...

And can anyone tell me if that model would have electric brakes on it it's a tandem I was recently in a house fire on December 13th which was Friday the 13th of all days but a few days prior I brought in my manuals cuz I wanted to read them and there was nothing better to do and they ended up burning up so now I'm relying on you guys for answers and there was a gentleman who usually answered me quite quickly but if anyone knows or has any owners manuals for the t1700 please let me know


I sent a picture of my dinette table Can anyone tell me if it transforms into a bed if it does how do I do it like does it twist down does it come up for like does the top come off that pole and then I pulled a pole out the floor or is it fixed their permanently Thank everybody in advance for your answers and just reading my crazy post looking forward to hearing from somebody Thank you all very much again in advance

Your 1995 T1700 came with Sunline electric brakes. To operate the brakes and the trailer DOT lights, a round 7-wire cable should be plugged into the back of the truck. The truck will also need a trailer electric brake controller. Some trucks come with a brake controller, and others require an aftermarket one.

On the table and turning it into a bed, yes, that is what it does.

Your pic

The post in the middle lifts out, and then the table top folds down and sits on the edges of the bench seat.

To get the post out, try this. This is how I do it.

Ideally, there should be two people (one can do this, but I will tell you for two), each sitting on a bench seat on each side of the table.

You can simultaneously work with your partner to lift and wiggle up and down the tabletop. As you lift and wiggle the top, the post will come out of the floor or the bottom of the table. The post has tapered wedge ends that fit into a tapered wedge socket on the floor and table. Lifting and wiggling the top will separate the wedge fit.

Once the table separates from the post, the post may be stuck in the floor or the table, as only one end is separated. Then wiggle, pull the post out, and store it until you put the table back up.

The table will stay attached to the metal rods on the wall and fold down into place when it is seated against the bench seat edges.

The seat back and bottom cushions are placed across the top to form a bed mattress.

I hope this helps. You did good with the pic's. Very helpful

John

 

[JohnGB]

The owner’s manuals are available on our site. After you log in, you can download a free copy from the files section.

If you haven't found our FILES section yet, you can find a lot of great resource information there, including most of the sale brochures from years past, owner’s manuals, appliance manuals, and other valuable materials.

The sales brochure provides abundant information about your model camper, which can be challenging to locate in one place. Scroll to your year and download a copy. The same applies to the owner’s manuals.

You must be logged in to access the FILES section. Look at the top of the forum for the word "FILES." That tab is a link; just click it. Then, choose the area you wish to access. You can read for hours, days, or even weeks.

Heads up: RV camper owners’ manuals differ from automobile owners’ manuals, which provide specific instructions for most vehicle features. The camper owner’s manual typically offers guidance and is generally applicable to any camper from its model year. Detailed manuals for individual appliances are also available, containing comprehensive information from the manufacturer. We have many of these in the files section as well. If your model isn’t listed, just provide us with the make and model number of the appliance, and we can help search for it and add it to our files section to assist others in the future.

Feel free to ask any questions about your camper. Simply create a post in the appropriate forums. Although we have covered many topics in previous posts, we’re always happy to address any questions you have.

Hope this helps

John