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TowShop has been supplying discount priced RV, tow vehicle, utility and camping trailer parts since 1982. From electric powered trailer jacks, brake controls and receiver hitches to truck camper jacks and tie downs our prices are hard to beat. If you want to do some maintenance on your motorcycle, cargo, horse or boat trailer we can help. B&W Turnover Ball gooseneck and Companion 5th wheel hitches, Atwood, Fulton and Bulldog tongue jacks, Draw-Tite and Torklift SuperHitch receivers, Tekonsha and Hayes Lemmerz electric brake controls are just a few of the great products available. Want to add a towing related accessory to your tow rig such as a Firestone Ride-Rite air helper spring or onboard air compressor kit? Our sales change regularly and we frequently run FREE SHIPPING SPECIALS so check back often. To learn about our order processing and shipping requirements please read our "Terms & Policies". |
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We receive new "Frequently Asked Questions"
almost every day. |
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Hitches 1. Do I really need a weight
distributing hitch? 1. The answer to this question is influenced by the weight on the trailer tongue, total loaded trailer weight, tow vehicle Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, receiver hitch weight rating, etc, etc.. You get the idea. The easiest answer is, if your trailer tongue weight plus the weight of any load you are carrying in the tow rig equals or exceeds the "Weight Carrying" capacity on your receiver hitch then you need a WD hitch. Stated weights on Data Plates attached to the trailer can vary dramatically from actual weights. The best way to get it right is to weigh the truck, trailer and trailer tongue on something like a DOT truck scale, truck stop scale or gravel pit scale. Yes, it can be a hassle and very inconvenient but your safety and that of others on the road outweigh that hassle tenfold. 2. Tongue Weight includes the trailer tongue weight with full gas, water, waste systems and a packed trailer. Estimate the towing vehicle's cargo load. Match the sum of these weights to the proper WD Hitch. For example, a tongue weight of 500 lbs. coupled with a vehicle cargo load of 200 lbs. equals a total hitch weight of 700 lbs. This combination would require a WD hitch rating of 750 lbs. Make sure the tongue weight and the gross trailer weight do not exceed the tow vehicle manufacturer's recommended capacities. The hitch selected must have a maximum Gross Trailer Weight rating equal to or greater than the total loaded weight of the trailer. Tongue weight should be at least 10% of gross trailer weight. 3. Tips for calculating proper shank drop/rise: 4. A trailer sway control is any device used to eliminate or
reduce unwanted trailer side-to-side motion caused by wind, rutted roads, etc.
The simplest and usually least expensive is the "friction" type controller. It
incorporates a sliding bar mounted inside a metal housing with friction material
similar to automotive brake pads. This device is mounted to the trailer at one
end and hitch at the other with miniature "trailer balls" to allow for
articulated movement. As the trailer tongue swings through an arc side-to-side
the bar slides in and out of the housing. The amount of friction applied to the
bar can normally be adjusted to suit the particular trailer and truck
requirements. Most enclosed box style (camping, car hauler, horse, etc.) trailers
will benefit from a sway control. These trailers are easily influenced by wind
gusts, even from larger passing vehicles like semi trucks. Please remember, a
sway control device is not intended to eliminate or reduce sway caused by an
improperly loaded trailer or one too heavy for the tow vehicle. |
