pop up camper

[rock]

we have ordered a pop up camper for our 2010 rts se5. spyder hitch is all ready installed ..am waiting for the unit to arrive... are there any tricks we have to learn about loading it ... the unit weighs in at about 300 pounds ...the hitch caps are marked at 400 pounds or do they underestimate the caps of the hitch???

 

[NancysToy]

I try to abide by the stated towing capacity. It isn't easy, a small, loaded cooler can weight 40-80 pounds. A spare tire is fairly heavy, too, if you carry one. The trailer tongue weight should be a minimum of 10%-15% of the loaded trailer weight for good handling. Too light makes the trailer unstable, especially on bumps or in winds...and negative trailer weight can make a trailer try to steer itself. That's downright dangerous. Try to load heavier things near the trailer axle line for the least affect on the tongue weight. I suggest a test loading and short run around the neighborhood to test your weight didtribution. Water filled milk jugs make a good test load. A test spin the evening before the trip isn't a bad idea, with your final load. It is easier to adjust things the night before than with your gear on, ready to hit the road the morning of your big trip. I also suggest setting up the camper and taking it down several times in the driveway or yard before you make your first trip. Figuring out how to set things up for the first time, and finding where things are stashed, is harder in the dark in a strange campground. A trial run for a night or two to a local campground can be a good idea before your first road trip, too. We like our camper a lot, and I think you will like yours, too.

 

[rock]

i appreciate your help...we do a lot of camping but this will b the first time pulling a camper with a motorcycle..i will definitly try the ideas you have given me..again thanks