Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Travel Trailer/Campers questions....help guys...

You're right, but at the same time why make it more difficult than it needs to be, far too many people do not take the time to ensure proper loading and the anti sway devices help. If they are out there and they work, which they do, why not use them and be as safe as possible?

Randy has a Z71 so it is a 4X4 (right Randy?) which is already taller than a standard truck combined with another 3-4" lift kit, I am quite sure he will need a dropped bar, unless he has a very tall frame height on that trailer, in which case he might be able to run straight out from the hitch.

Yep, it is the Z71 package 4x4. Jay, the lift kit was ONLY a body lift, so the hitch height was not changed, but I do have a 4" drop receiver now with 2" ball for my utility trailer currently. I hate trying to figure this stuff out.

I have no idea how tall a Z71 is but the lift kit is irrelevant because he said it was a body lift which is just adding spacers between the frame and the shell of the body. It raises the wheel wells as an inexpensive way to add larger tires but does not add any clearance on it's own. The frame, thus the hitch, remain at the same height.

Edit: Oops. Randy already explained that.

ha ha.

Forgot it was a body lift only, so only a marginal drop might be required. I use about a 2"-3" drop to hook up to my trailer and my parent's trailer with my 2006 F150, I would expect yours to need about the same.

The truck is a 2000, and I don't think I've ever had the breaks looked at, the shocks/suspension, transmission...probably would be good to verify these things before driving to Grand Rapids, MI. ;0

I had the same truck/engine/year sans the 4x4 stuff. Great truck, not a single problem ever, good mpg. All I ever towed was a couple of Sea-Doos, but IMO, the 5.3 with that gearing will make STEEP hills slow-going. That engine needs to revved up a bit - you'll want to be sure to use the Tow/Haul switch. OTOH, what you eastern fellers call "mountains" we call "hills" out West.

My Dad has had quite a few different trucks and trailers. He always bought the truck first then would buy a trailer approaching its towing capacity, decide the truck wasn't strong enough, buy a bigger truck, then buy a bigger trailer, decide the truck wasn't strong enough, buy a bigger truck, then buy a bigger trailer, etc....

Have you had the truck since 2000 Randy? since '01 I've had the brakes done twice plus new rotors the last time around, the ABS sensors replaced twice(recall) and cleaned an additional 2 times on the fronts at my own expense. Now I've just pulled the fuse for the front ABS because the sensors are buggered up again(very dangerous...increases stopping distance substantially). Approx 168,000 klmtrs so far, engine is fine but the brakes on this truck are poorly designed as far as the sensors go(and also the front hubs/bearings...).