TexasCHLforum.com

Do not think those metal bars are designed for anti sway. They do give an added benefit of reducing sway. However, they are deigned for weight distribution and without them you loose any weight distribution properties. Anti sway bars are made and sold for that exact application if you feel you need them. I never did.

I want to reiterate one point that has already been addressed. While carson1 and I may disagree on what engine you might want to haul with. Brakes are the more important factor. Make sure you use a good brake controller, that your brakes are in optimal condition and you leave your self plenty of room for idiots that don't consider your braking distance with a trailer pushing you.

Here ya go, TAM. Made a couple of changes to the floorplan:



You're welcome.

Oh, the only other thing I had stolen other than my hitch were the propane tanks......chain then up also.

Out of curiosity how does the 4Runner handle the trailer ? My Tacoma has a tow package and a rating around 7k lb but haven't ever really tested that, brakes are more my worry than towing power

Nice trailer too, matches the truck

Skiprr wrote:Here ya go, TAM. Made a couple of changes to the floorplan:



You're welcome.

AndyC wrote:I see we'll have to cut a hole for the trunk-monkey... and no co-ax mount on the roof yet... tsk, tsk...

Looks wicked cool, tho - congrats :)

I didn't really want to cut any holes in the sheet metal or fiberglass, so I came up with the idea of a sandbagged revetment on the roof, with a .50 cal up top. I can't say for certain that The Annoyed Woman will go for that idea. . . . .

WTR wrote:Do not think those metal bars are designed for anti sway. They do give an added benefit of reducing sway. However, they are deigned for weight distribution and without them you loose any weight distribution properties. Anti sway bars are made and sold for that exact application if you feel you need them. I never did.

The mechanic who installed them and showed me how to set it up said that they dampen sway with friction. If you look at it up close, they attach (and pivot) on the hitch on one end, and they slide along a bracket on the tongue end. There is a lot of downward pressure on the bar against that bracket exactly because of the load leveling. If I turn to the right, the right side bar gets pushed backwards against that friction, and the left side bar gets pulled forward agains the friction on that side.

WTR wrote:I want to reiterate one point that has already been addressed. While carson1 and I may disagree on what engine you might want to haul with. Brakes are the more important factor. Make sure you use a good brake controller, that your brakes are in optimal condition and you leave your self plenty of room for idiots that don't consider your braking distance with a trailer pushing you.

My vehicle brakes are in great condition (the car is not yet 2 years old, and I don't ride my brakes), and I do have a brake controller installed. On the way home and then to the storage facility, the brakes worked fine, and as a matter of course, I hate tailgating, and those that do. I am leaving myself extra room between me and the car in front.

rentz wrote:Out of curiosity how does the 4Runner handle the trailer ? My Tacoma has a tow package and a rating around 7k lb but haven't ever really tested that, brakes are more my worry than towing power

Nice trailer too, matches the truck

It handles it OK. The 4Runner is rated to 4,700 lbs. Dry weight on the trailer is 2,860, and GVWR is 3,750. I'm very aware that the trailer is back there, and you can definitely tell that the weight is there, but it tracks pretty well and the load-leveling hitch keeps the vehicle level instead of nose in the air. It downshifts a little more often on uphill grades, where it wouldn't normally, but it will accelerate relatively quickly if I mash the throttle to the floor. And braking is fine, particularly with the brake controller installed, which seems to be pretty effective. Of course, it feels like a Miata after the trailer has been unhitched. I can tell though that I'm going to be one of those guys going 60 in the right lane of I-40 when I'm hooked up. But that's OK. It will encourage me to explore the back roads; see new things; take a deep breath. Turn up Willie Nelson and the Outlaws on the stereo instead.

TAM, I hope the best for you. Maximum enjoyment of your new investment, and no problems on the road. It will be interesting to get your perspective a year from now.

Not to be morbid, and you have most likely already though of this , but these things can go up like tender. ( Saw one one time). I always kept 3 5 pound fire extinguishers in my 25 ft. trailer. One in the back bedroom, one in the mid bath and one in the front kitchen. Your new trailer probably came with smoke and carbon monoxide sensors. However, if not, install them. I also always had an exit strategy, even if just included my 12 ga. making a hole big enough for us to crawl through.

WTR wrote:Not to be morbid, and you have most likely already though of this , but these things can go up like tender. ( Saw one one time). I always kept 3 5 pound fire extinguishers in my 25 ft. trailer. One in the back bedroom, one in the mid bath and one in the front kitchen. Your new trailer probably came with smoke and carbon monoxide sensors. However, if not, install them. I also always had an exit strategy, even if just included my 12 ga. making a hole big enough for us to crawl through.

Yeah, it came with both smoke and CO detectors, and a smallish non-rechargeable fire extinguisher. I plan to add a second one.

Mrs. Oldgringo has just been diagnosed with COPD, I have Hypomagnesemia, etc. and have been waiting a month for a Dr. appt. that won't happen until next Month. The heck with it! We're heading up to the White River in the Ozarks as soon as we can get loaded/hitched up. We can die there with a fly rod and/or a camera in our hands as well as anywhere - if it's our turn to die.

CARPE DIEM, there may not be a tomorrow.

Oldgringo wrote:Mrs. Oldgringo has just been diagnosed with COPD, I have Hypomagnesemia, etc. and have been waiting a month for a Dr. appt. that won't happen until next Month. The heck with it! We're heading up to the White River in the Ozarks as soon as we can get loaded/hitched up. We can die there with a fly rod and/or a camera in our hands as well as anywhere - if it's our turn to die.

CARPE DIEM, there may not be a tomorrow.

OG, I am so sorry about your health issues. I hope you find peace and serenity in your trip. The White River has just now been added to our list of places to go.

Oldgringo wrote:Mrs. Oldgringo has just been diagnosed with COPD, I have Hypomagnesemia, etc. and have been waiting a month for a Dr. appt. that won't happen until next Month. The heck with it! We're heading up to the White River in the Ozarks as soon as we can get loaded/hitched up. We can die there with a fly rod and/or a camera in our hands as well as anywhere - if it's our turn to die.

CARPE DIEM, there may not be a tomorrow.

I wish you both a speedy and complete healing and a long life of well being. Here is our favorite prayer for healing. My wife and I were at this event in Boston in 2001:

https://youtu.be/pHKo3CjuzpY