I am purchasing a 2005 23 Foot Travel Trailer. I have a dodge 2500 3/4 ton truck. My question. The dealer is trying to sell me a stabilizer package to balance the weight on hitch / bumper. Do I need it? The trailer weighs close to 4800 lbs I believe.

nope

Nope.

I pull mine with out it all the time....

Will it help yes...do you need it no.


But I do use a Ford though...its a heavier truck

NO!

Nope x4

As noted above, it can help but you don't necessarily need it. You can always buy one later if you really feel the need.

More importantly than the overall weight of the trailer is the tongue weight of the trailer.

I would say that if your tongue weight exceeded 1,200 lbs or so you might want to consider a weight distribution hitch. However, that small of a trailer it's tongue weight won't exceed 600 lbs. That's not enough to worry with on a 3/4 ton pickup.

Sway control is a completely different animal than weight distribution. It's possible that you'll occasionally find a need for it when traveling through areas of high crosswinds.

If you ever find yourself with the trailer swaying side to side, simply manually apply the trailer brakes from the controller and it should straighten up.

Some trailers are easy to pull but some are very susceptible to swaying depending on tongue weight as mentioned above. I seldom use them on my 33 foot behind a chevy 2500 unless I'm going a great distance or encountering high winds. Trailer brakes are a must in that situation.

Agree not needed

Sweet i am going to buy a 23 ft soon and only have a 3/4 ton truck as well.. thank you for the info

Not needed, but man once you've had one it's hard to go back!

Oh, and even though a 1/2 ton will easily tow that trailer don't be tempted to trade in the 3/4 ton. Everyone I know that starts with a small trailer ends going much bigger eventually. My last trailer was 28'. My next one will be about 34' or so.

No!

Not needed but you will like one as stated. I'd be on the lookout for a used one rather than paying the dealer for new.

Here is also a great forum for RV info.

http://www.rv.net/forum/

I have a 33' old travel trailer and pull it with a ford F150 . I keep my speed down to 55 or 60 and never needed one.

Small price to pay for peace of mind..I use on on my 28 ft travel trailer....Make a difference when running 65 to 70 mph....

Probably don't need the equalizer hitch, but a sway control is nice. Especially nice when passing or being passed by big trucks and when on 2 lane roads.......

My hitch is an equalizer with built-in sway control but my trailer is right near 35 ft long.

I have a 30' and use a 1/2 ton dodge to pull it, I can pull it fine without the disributor hitch but when I run 60-70mph on the highway I need it to keep the sway out. It makes a big difference when passing and being passed by the big trucks and in heavy crosswinds

With a 4800 lb trailer if you have a frame mounted receiver hitch and electric brake controller you should be good to go with a 3/4 ton. If you plan on doing any mountain driving I would recommend a sway control bar.
If you try it without and don't feel comfortable you can usually pick up a used equalizer hitch with weight distribution bars and sway control for about $100-$150.

Ive put 2k lbs of feed in the bed of a 3/4 ton chevy or 1-ton dodge and pulled our 30' bumper pull TT without the weight distribution hitch and had no problems.

When we bought the TT we pulled it with a 1/2 chevy and used the weight distribution, but in the later years didnt even use it with that truck.

Nope. The 3/4 ton and your trailer length and weight is the key.

Pull that same trailer with a half ton and the answer is yes.

I'd tow that with my Tacoma, no problem.

no you dont need it! it is just something else they are trying to make money on

If needed you can buy a used one for much less money.