Consolidated towing tips and tricks?

[spetka]

Hello all,

I am slowly making some upgrades to my T4R to make it handle towing better, as I plan on trying to camp out more with our travel trailer. My trailer wet and loaded is probably around 4500#, 5-600# tongue weight. I couldn't really find a thread with consolidated info, if somebody can point me to one, that would be great. If not, perhaps you can add any tips or tricks that you use(d) for towing. It tows "ok" now, but want to improve it as best as feasible, while adding in safety and peace of mind.

So far for me:
1. Tekonsha P3 brake controller ( brake controller basically a requirement)
2. Air up all tires close to max, since weight rating is based on max psi.
3. Harbor Freight Weight Distribution hitch. This is a huge help with handling to set up correctly where it sits level. I have anti sway that clips on but I haven't used it yet on this vehicle. I got mine on sale for about $169, usually can find for about 189 or 20% off. https://www.harborfreight.com/10000-lb-capacity-weight-distributing-hitch-system-67649.html
4. Clip on towing mirrors from HD (had to buy them local as was towing the next day, could use a better passenger side one, may end up getting another model soon on Amazon) https://www.homedepot.com/p/TowSmart-Heavy-Duty-Clip-On-Towing-Mirror-1202/206798832



Planning on getting within 6 months (longer trip in June):

1. Firestone airbags (probably this month)
2. On board air compressor (for tires and airbags and bikes etc)
3. Tranny cooler. Any recommendations on decent inexpensive model that fits our vehicle well?
4. Bilsteins for front to help with nosedive issue (had this real bad when brake controller boost was set wrong, felt like one of those horses on 4 springs that they sell for toddlers)
5. Backup camera for rear of trailer for driving that I hope to figure out how to integrate with factory headunit, otherwise will add removable mount for other screen.

Anyone else have any tip, tricks, items they use to improve towing experience? Or inexpensive mods to give a little more power uphill? If I was towing a lot more often I would probably look at rear end gears as I think that would be the best bang for the buck, but probably a lot more than I want to spend.

Thanks

 

[e60ral]

i doubt it will be an issue with your tranny cooler, but maybe get something to monitor transmission temps (scangauge, ultragauge, torque, etc...)

 

[Titanpat57]

There's MULTIPLE threads with the same redundant info...what your proposing has been done a thousand times.

 

[spetka]

There's MULTIPLE threads with the same redundant info...what your proposing has been done a thousand times.

Hey, thanks for linking all of these MULTIPLE thousands of threads you found...

 

[Titanpat57]

Hey, thanks for linking all of these MULTIPLE thousands of threads you found...

Well it's obvious you're too lazy to look...why would I burn up my time looking for you?

 

[cutty01]

I think having a consolidated thread would be useful. Thanks for the suggestion.

One observation is that you are towing something that is very near the capacity of our vehicles and if you are > 500lb on the tongue weight you are exceeding the capacity of a the class III tongue weight limit. I want to pull a small trailer like an RPOD and I was told anything over 3600lbs would be pushing it.

One tip to share, but you may already know, is that you you increase the likely hood of violent sway, if your trailer is too tail heavy, i.e. too much weight is aft of the trailer axle. This video is a good illustration.

 

[philsey]

Why would you only put Bilsteins on the front?

 

[BobsTrail]

Why would you only put Bilsteins on the front?

:iagree:

I did the front first and it was an improvement, then a few months later did the rear. That helped with a feeling of better control off road. All four need to be done.

 

[spetka]

Well it's obvious you're too lazy to look...why would I burn up my time looking for you?

Right, your time is much better wasted getting your post count up by posting non-helpful rubbish multiple times in threads that don't pertain to you. Whatever makes you feel better I suppose, bro. And by bro, I mean never my bro.

I think having a consolidated thread would be useful. Thanks for the suggestion.

One observation is that you are towing something that is very near the capacity of our vehicles and if you are > 500lb on the tongue weight you are exceeding the capacity of a the class III tongue weight limit. I want to pull a small trailer like an RPOD and I was told anything over 3600lbs would be pushing it.

One tip to share, but you may already know, is that you you increase the likely hood of violent sway, if your trailer is too tail heavy, i.e. too much weight is aft of the trailer axle. This video is a good illustration.

Yeah I know about the sway, I usually load all my gear in front of the trailer, which is why I am guessing the tongue weight is that high.( I believe dry is less than 400) I would actually like to go weigh it somewhere to get an accurate number, just not really sure where I could weigh it.

:iagree:

I did the front first and it was an improvement, then a few months later did the rear. That helped with a feeling of better control off road. All four need to be done.

Yeah that's the long term goal. More of a money thing with teenagers who will be needing cars pretty soon etc, having to buy stuff a little more slowly.

i doubt it will be an issue with your tranny cooler, but maybe get something to monitor transmission temps (scangauge, ultragauge, torque, etc...)

Good idea, will add that too if I can find one for a decent price.