will these items improve my towing?

[decodancer]

I just picked up my new to me 17 foot travel trailer yesterday. No horror stories about the drive home, it went pretty smoothly actually. Some of the lights are not working but I'll deal with that. I'm pulling with a Kia Sedona minivan. My limit is 3500 pounds and the dry weight of the trailer is 2550. There was no sway (even with passing big rigs) at all on the hour long highway drive home so that does not appear to be an issue. I did notice that when we went over a bump the car seemed to rise and fall with the weight of the trailer. A neighbor suggested springs on the van might help this, any input would be helpful so I know what to look for. Would a weight distrubution hitch be a good purchase? I also saw a transmission cooler online, would this help to extend the life of my van? I travel solo and want an aid to help with hitching, what works best? I have towed before but not with such a small vehicle and it's been many years so any help would be appreciated.

[TXiceman]

Heat will kill any transmission, so you want to keep the oil cool as is reasonable. The better oil coolers are a stacked plate design. Here is just one....Derale Transmission Cooler, Derale Series 10000 Stacked Plate Cooler Kit

You might also check into a Reese Mini350 WD hitch for smaller trailers.

Even though you have not had any sway issues, I would get a friction sway control as insurance. You will hear from some that will tell you that a properly balanced trailer will not sway...true in a perfect world, but we do not live in a perfect world. One wind gust at the wrong time and you will start to sway.

Good luck with the RV.

Ken

[decodancer]

I just checked and it appears that my Kia already has a transmission cooler, is the factory one different? Also checked out the WD hitch you reccemended. Sounds great but says it works with a 2" ball, I have a 2 5/16 ball is there an adapter?

[TXiceman]

Reese Hitch Products

They have the option for a 2-5/16" ball as an option.

Usually the "factory" transmission cooler is too small for towing. Put the external one in series with the factory cooler. That is how I have mine piped.

Ken

[jimbo55]

decodancer...
I use the Reece "SOLO-HITCH" and you would not be disappointed with its simplicity. The solo-hitch (packaged as one pair) operates like a telescoping pointer with a nerf type ball on the top and a magnet on the bottom of each. I purchased the solo-hitch at WallMart for $20. I will caution that one should be careful when closing the telescopeing sections. The sections must be closed straght down into the lower base section, otherwise the sections may separate. I got in a rush on my fourth time hitching with solo-hitch and the top section bent and separated. I could not determine how to reassemble. Solo-hitch worked for me so...I have a second set, and one spare..hehe.
Enjoy your new rig and have safe travel.

jim