GEN 2 First time camper towing

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Hey guys!

I’m looking to rent this camper for a trip:
https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/x-lite/263BHXL/2416

It is rated at ~5800lbs UVW and can handle up to ~1800lbs ccc.

I’m looking to tow it with my stock raptor. Any concerns or issues with this? Do I need a WD hitch for that weekend trip? Should I expect the wheel wells to be dangerously close to the tires?

I’ve seen a few posts and pictures around here, but it’s not super clear how folks decide. I just want to make sure I’m not doing anything stupid or unsafe.

 

[Gerald]

I just bought a 23 ft travel trailer that was about 5,400 lbs when I picked it up. The tongue weight was about 550 lbs. The dealer I bought from had a rule that any trailer that was over 3,000 lbs or had tandem axles, required a WD hitch and sway control. They actually provided a really nice hefty set up for $450. I just had to show up with my 2 in reciever and they provided everything including the new ball mount and ball. The stock Raptor handled that nicely. The WD hitch definitely help keep it level and not squat much at all. The other thing I didn't have in my truck was a trailer brake controller to control the trailer brakes. A trailer as big as the one you're looking at will need to hook up to the truck's brake controller. So if you don't have one of those, you'll need to get that installed.

The trailer you're considering is bigger than mine so it's not a great comparison on what my experience was for how a stock Raptor handles that size of a trailer. But still I hope this helps some.

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Thank you that’s very helpful. The camper actually comes with a WD hitch, sway control and extender so should be good on that end.

I guess I’ll be safe, but will see how bad the squat is and then debate the Deaver or Icon upgrade later on...

 

[CoronaRaptor]

Get the dealer to help you set up the wd hitch, always keep some weight on the trailer jack when you set up the wd bars and then crank down the rest of the weight onto your receiver, this will keep your truck level. You will have to reverse this to get the trailer unhooked. The chains and bars will be nice and tight. Good luck.


You won't be carrying this much weight, lol. Don't travel with too much water in the trailer to keep the weight down.

 

[CoronaRaptor]

Get the dealer to help you set up the wd hitch, always keep some weight on the trailer jack when you set up the wd bars and then crank down the rest of the weight onto your receiver, this will keep your truck level. You will have to reverse this to get the trailer unhooked. The chains and bars will be nice and tight. Good luck.
View attachment 151361

You won't be carrying this much weight, lol. Don't travel with too much water in the trailer to keep the weight down.

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Get the dealer to help you set up the wd hitch, always keep some weight on the trailer jack when you set up the wd bars and then crank down the rest of the weight onto your receiver, this will keep your truck level. You will have to reverse this to get the trailer unhooked. The chains and bars will be nice and tight. Good luck.
View attachment 151361

You won't be carrying this much weight, lol. Don't travel with too much water in the trailer to keep the weight down.

Thanks for the guidance! Will definitely watch a couple setup videos as well and make sure we’re doing the setup right.

now that Gen1 there is squatting... wondering if gen2 squats as much. Either way, I definitely won’t have this much weight in so think this will be a pleasant experience...

 

[GCATX]

You'll be fine. We rented one similar a while back for a 6 hour round trip, 3 adults and a weekend worth of junk. Nothing to it. Only piece of advice I will offer, if you ever feel the trailer getting real squirrely, squeeze the brake controller tabs to activate the trailer brakes. It will straighten the truck and trailer out quickly.

 

[CoronaRaptor]

Get the dealer to help you set up the wd hitch, always keep some weight on the trailer jack when you set up the wd bars and then crank down the rest of the weight onto your receiver, this will keep your truck level. You will have to reverse this to get the trailer unhooked. The chains and bars will be nice and tight. Good luck.
View attachment 151361

You won't be carrying this much weight, lol. Don't travel with too much water in the trailer to keep the weight down.

I was also on top perch back then and those were stock springs then as well.

 

[Tony Andrews]

Shouldn’t have a problem if you have hitch set up properly. I have at least 10,000 miles towing 8000 lb Airstream.

 

[Johnny Martin]

This was 6500 lbs with sway bars wd bitch etc. truck towed it fine. A little squaty.