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Joined: Jan 2006
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,420 Likes: 12 |
I would make sure the hitch isn't too high. Then build on the tongue a place to carry things you need which will add the weigh you need. Platform for extra jugs of water, firewood, etc. A friction anti-sway device would be a good idea if it's as bad as you say as well. Sure but when the wood is burned, then what? Consumables are only a temporary fix. Because plum dumb is a sock puppet who hacked plumdum's account in 2021 No postings for 10 years. Then hacked by plum dumb . Happens a lot on here #6503517 05/14/12 Online Content plumbum Campfire Regular P Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 826 I have some Speer/DWM 8mm brass, 80 or 100 of them, new unfired in slip-top boxes. It won't be cheap, but it is the best. I don't know who plumdumb is but he's right. I can add lots of water jugs but when they're empty, we still need to drive it home.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,258
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
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Bolt some lead weights in or under the frame in the front. Any trailer needs tongue weight to pull safely. If you're going to add lead weight, it might as well be in batteries.
Lunatic fringe....we all know you're out there.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,324
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
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I'd have tounge weight between 10-13% empty or without any camping and personal belongings.
Phil
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Joined: May 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
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I wonder if this is the reason the previous owner sold it. There are lots of these on the road. He was using a 1/2 ton pickup. They always camped in campgrounds with full hookups and I suspect they traveled with the water tank empty. I've pulled it 600 miles with the tank empty and it handled fine. I have been amazed at how many RVers always travel with empty tanks and always use the public restrooms.
Lunatic fringe....we all know you're out there.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,416
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,416 |
It would be worth getting the trailer weighed when it is fully loaded to see if you are in the ballpark with your 230 lb tongue weight. The results might surprise you.
Also check the axle mounting. Torsion axles usually have a steel channel that is bolted to the bottom of the main frame. If there are multiple mounting holes, moving the axle back even an inch might solve your problem.
Is the problem worse when the water tank is only partially full? A bunch of water sloshing back and forth can really make things unstable.
Your idea of moving the spare tire from back to front is a good one.
Jerry
Minnesota; Land of 10,000 Taxes
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,587 Likes: 17
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,587 Likes: 17 |
If you haven't called Casita, I would. As another option, try this https://www.casitaforum.com/invboard/
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,099
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,099 |
They have sold thousands of those. Hard to believe that it's a design problem. Maybe the forum listed above will give some insight if others are experiencing the same issue.
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 10,153 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 10,153 Likes: 4 |
Bolt some lead weights in or under the frame in the front. Any trailer needs tongue weight to pull safely. If you're going to add lead weight, it might as well be in batteries. If you have room, I can't argue with that. If not, underneath in the frame is a good option.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,224
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,224 |
Buy 2 30 pound propane tanks. Same footprint more weight. Fill the water tanks when you get closer to your destination? Just use the bigger vehicle to tow it. If your camping it’s already for fun saving money by driving an inferior vehicle and causing more stress on what is supposed to be a relaxing trip makes no sense….
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,920 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,920 Likes: 1 |
If the trailer is swaying the tongue is too light.I would put a bracket and add 2 more batteries up front
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,415 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,415 Likes: 3 |
Just get a suitcase type tractor counterweight and bolt it to the underside of the a frame with some u bolts.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,947 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,947 Likes: 1 |
I would make sure the hitch isn't too high. Then build on the tongue a place to carry things you need which will add the weigh you need. Platform for extra jugs of water, firewood, etc. A friction anti-sway device would be a good idea if it's as bad as you say as well. Sure but when the wood is burned, then what? Consumables are only a temporary fix. Because plum dumb is a sock puppet who hacked plumdum's account in 2021 No postings for 10 years. Then hacked by plum dumb . Happens a lot on here #6503517 05/14/12 Online Content plumbum Campfire Regular P Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 826 I have some Speer/DWM 8mm brass, 80 or 100 of them, new unfired in slip-top boxes. It won't be cheap, but it is the best. I don't know who plumdumb is but he's right. I can add lots of water jugs but when they're empty, we still need to drive it home. Stop soon after leaving and refill water jugs. Pick up more wood. This isn't rocket science.
Montana MOFO
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 16,108 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 16,108 Likes: 2 |
Just bolt or weld a 100 lb tractor weight under the tongue.
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 17,270 Likes: 17
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 17,270 Likes: 17 |
Can't the location of the axles be adjusted on many Recreational trailers?
-OMotS
"If memory serves fails me..." Quote: ( unnamed) "been prtty deep in the cooler todaay " Television and radio are most effective when people question little and think even less.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,389 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,389 Likes: 6 |
There's something else going on. This camper is a proven design that has been around for decades. No way should you have to be adding weight to the front to make it track. Call Casita' or get on their forum to find the answer.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 6,081 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 6,081 Likes: 2 |
I’d be checking wheels/tires/axle/hitch ball height/spring attachments, before I got too carried away with weight distribution. Is the tongue straight?? Any chance the spring perches weren’t located “equally” (and thus, axle is not tracking “straight”?? A 1/2” to an inch would do it.) Etc...
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,420 Likes: 12
Campfire Kahuna
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OP
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,420 Likes: 12 |
UPDATE: I'd previously rigged up a scale setup using an electronic bathroom scale. I just found that it's very inaccurate for this. The electronics do some screwy things. I redid it using a hanging scale that's more accurate. I now find that the tongue weight fully loaded is 350lb. That's about 11% of the gross wt, enough to minimize sway from low tongue wt. I carefully measured from the tires to the hitch and find that there's only about 1/2" difference. Casita uses a Dexter Torsion axle, not a spring type. They're bolted (welded on older models) to the frame and aren't adjustable so that 1/2" is going to stay 1/2". I have the ball height set so it rides level. I'll try lowering it a little since it's an adjustable ball mount. I suspect that the real solution is going to be a WD hitch.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,205
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,205 |
When we bought a used 16' Shasta in 1973, my dad immediately put a load leveling hitch on our 1973 GMC one ton long box crew cab. Watching what those hitches do to the interplay between the tow vehicle and the trailer, they are worth every penny they cost. I wouldn't consider towing a bumper pull holiday trailer without one.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,420 Likes: 12
Campfire Kahuna
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OP
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,420 Likes: 12 |
I have an old 23' camp trailer that's my hunting rig. It weighs 5500 with a 500lb tongue wt. It pulls fine behind my 3/4 ton Dodge diesel UNTIL I load my Polaris RZR in the bed. The RZR is heavy on the rear axle and that puts too much weight behind the truck axle so things get squirrely. A WD hitch fixes it up nicely.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 771
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 771 |
350# pounds should be adequate, if it was constant. The problem is that the single axle allows the trailer to transfer weight between front and rear. Lowering the ball should help, beyond that a WD hitch. I don't know if there are WD hitches designed for lighter trailers, I'd think there should be but I've never looked for one.
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