Have seen recomemdation on other forum to use friction type controle bar on Scamp 13, said he recomended a sway bar, towed his 13 using a Dodge Ram truck and drove tractor trailers before retiring. He said he was glad he had it for tight curves in the Smokies. I will be taking our new 13 there soon after we get it. What do others think?
If yes. Does anybody have a suggestion where I can get a ball mount with sway controle bracket (tab) for a 1 1/4 " Class 2 trailer hitch? E-trailer only has them for 2" receiver draw bar? Also, I think ball mount adapters are made to fit under 2" balls but again would they fit a class 2 draw bar?
I am towing a 16" Scamp with a Kia Soul. It also only has a 1 1/4" reciever hitch. I had to make a receiver fitting to get the height correct. I did have sway problems and purchased a Curt friction type sway control. This took care of it completely. I was able to travel at 55 mph previously but needed to be quite careful not to start swaying issues. After the install of the sway control I can travel 70 or more (with a tail wind) with no sway problems. I had to modify the receiver fitting to allow me to use the sway control. The kit looks like this and can be purchased from many vendors including JC Whitney.
Tom and Jan
A version of Husky manufactures such a hitch and we have it on our Scamp now. It has made a dramatic difference, and it was not at all expensive. Did require a mechanic to weld a ball on our removable hitch. Love the anti sway bar and will now never tow without it. Easy to remove too, when backing into a spot or turning backwards at a hard angle.
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
A new Tow Vehicle is my guess?
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
If you can locate a Bigfoot Truck Camper you will remain in Molded Fiberglass and the ones I've seen are very nice. I think you are making a good decision process. One of the first topics we discuss in the new solar section we're developing is determining lifestyle and how you are going to camp before you jump into a camper, solar, mods, whatever. You've arrived at what fits your current lifestyle best and also with the realization that lifestyle changes as it progresses. I.E. The trailer I'm now getting is based on retirement full-timing, not what I would have gotten 10 years ago.
Hope you stick around the clubhouse and come out to some events, would love to see your rig when you get it together and meet you down the road.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Bigfoot made a whole line of gorgeous slide in truck campers not trailers.
http://www.rvt.com/New-and-Used-Bigfoot-Truck-Camper-RVs-For-Sale-On-RVT...
I believe some of the Bigfoot models can go on a 1/2 ton. Might have to add spring helpers, but I know I've seen them on 1/2 tons in the past.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
I saw one of these in an RV park a couple of years ago and was impressed: http://www.northern-lite.com/ I think it is the same manufacturer that did a small fiberglass TT for a brief time and they are hard to find.
Cathy
Before you give up on getting a slide-in camper I would suggest looking into adding air bags to your rear suspension. The addition of the air bags may increase your payload capacity enough to allow you to have your slide-in.
I added a set of Firestone Air Bags to my truck and they were not too expensive and the install was not that difficult either.
PS: The installation instructions were very well written and could be accomplished by most moderately skilled DIYers, I would not recommend this project if you are a "Novice" DIYer. The install is not difficult, it just requires some skill and patience (and a good torque wrench).
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!