Single axle safety question

[Lynn in Arizona-HILO]

Hi,
I went to an RV show in Phoenix yesterday and the salesman told me my single axle is not very safe and I should not go over 55 mph. He said if I hit a bump in the road that the trailer may flip and flip the tow vehicle as well. I would think the hi low has a pretty low center of gravity. Am I in danger of flipping over? I have a 17' hi lo that I just bought and have a sway bar attached. He said the sway bar would serve to guarantee I flipped over when the trailer did. Did he just upset me unnecessarily or should I be concerned. I am nervous enough towing this thing on my own.
Lynn, single female
Mesa, AZ

 

[PopRichie77]

The danger only comes if you don't keep the proper weight on the trailer tongue hitch, which should be 10 to 15 percent of the total weight of the trailer, this applies to any trailer. You said that you have a sway bar, does that also include a Weight Distribution Hitch? Which you also should have. Several forum members have single axle trailers and have no problems, The Hi-Lo is more stable than a full height trailer. Be sure to keep good tires on your trailer and inflated to the correct pressure.
Trailers do flip over but it is caused by not following the above rules.

 

[garyk52]

Lynn what are you using for a tow vehicle?

Cheers
garyk_52

 

[RichR]

We towed a 1705T all over the place with no problems. Keeping things in good shape and being careful go a long way to having a safe trip. You can flip anything if you try hard enough. I think the salesman was being a little over-dramatic.

 

[JackandJanet]

I think he was being overdramatic too. The distance between the wheels on the 17 ft trailer, and its low center of gravity, make it very unlikely to roll in hard turns, and I can't understand what he means by "flip" on a bump. I've pulled mine on some very unimproved dirt roads (admittedly at a lower speed) and had no concern about stability. Same for cruising on the highway at 65, which is where I keep it due to the tire ratings. Except for the lack of rear visibility and the reduction in acceleration, I hardly know it's there.

- Jack

 

[Lynn in Arizona-HILO]

I tow it with a 2002 Olds Bravada v6 SUV. I was wondering if I need the wt distribution hitch. It would be heavy for me to put on as I'm a single 64 yr old 5' tall woman. Since the 17' weighs less than 3000 lbs I thought I read somewhere that I didn't need the hitch. But I also read all hi lo's need it so am a bit confused on that issue.
Lynn

 

[RichR]

Don't leave home without a WDH, in my opinion. When you hitch to a vehicle without WDH the tongue weight of the trailer all sets on the hitch which in turn drops the rear of the TV and lifts the front of the TV. This is cause for unstable control of the combination of the trailer and TV. The weight taken off the front wheels reduces the effectiveness of steering and braking.

Do yourself a favor and go to the local RV dealer and have a WDH installed, including sway control, and a brake controller. He can set it up with your trailer and adjust it to the proper height and level. Your trailer and TV will be all level, the steering will be proper, and the brakes will be working to the max.

You did not say if your TV has a factory tow package installed. That can make a difference as to what your tow limits are. Your 17' may weigh 3000 pounds empty but more like 3500 pounds when you have it ready to go camping.

 

[sam-HILO]

Towing safely

I think the salesman was giving you a "load of beans". He probably just wanted you to buy a new trailer from him. Follow the advice of the previous posters as they are very experienced and gave you correct advice.

 

[Lynn in Arizona-HILO]

Okay, guess I should get the wdh . I do have the tow pkg on my bravada and got the brake installed for the trailer. the trailer is 2640 dry wt so I figured around 3000 with stuff.

 

[PopRichie77]

People have found those trailers to be heavier than what was in the specs. My 95 was much heavier than specified. Dry weight means with no options, like air conditioner, empty propane tanks, etc.
If you get all the recommend items, then you will be as safe as possible.

 

[bill98065]

We have an 18 ft 2010 model Hilo the we tow with a 2008 Honda ridge line. The Honda has a tow package but Honda says no weight distribution. We have been towing without weight distribution or sway control. No sway and no problems so far, are we just being lucky.? Keep speed under 65mph. Wgt to front, no great drop in rear truck height. Thanks for any advice.

 

[RCREYES]

We have an 18 ft 2010 model Hilo the we tow with a 2008 Honda ridge line. The Honda has a tow package but Honda says no weight distribution. We have been towing without weight distribution or sway control. No sway and no problems so far, are we just being lucky.? Keep speed under 65mph. Wgt to front, no great drop in rear truck height. Thanks for any advice.

Page 7 of the owners manual says a WDH "should" be used on all models.

http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f49/owners-manual-2009-hi-lo-1-a-803/