weight distribting hitch

[pawntan]

I'm thinking about using weight distributing hitch, because my towing vehicle looks sagged.

One concern I have is the following.
If the TV and trailer run into a depression on the road, and since the WDH prevent the back of the vehicle to go down as the rear tire run over the depression on the road, does that make the rear tire of the vehicle 'fly' and not having any traction ?

I've driven many state highway where the surface of the road is just not flat.
The road has many little valley that causes the vehicle to bounce over and over. Not so much a hole, just a sloped depressions.
With the WDH, my concern is, the back of the vehicle just fly over the valley, and not touching the road. Thus, it makes the vehicle to just run on two front wheels.
Is that a valid concern ?

[Skaling]

You will still have suspension travel in your rear axle of your tow vehicle to prevent any loss of traction you are concerned about. Also, your WDH bars will flex during these situations too..
Don't over think it..they work.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by pawntan

snip...... Is that a valid concern ?

Not if you have a properly sized and adjusted WDH.

To confirm that your WDH is sized/adjusted correctly a visit to your local CAT scale under loaded TV/TT conditions will put your concerns to rest.

CAT Scale how-to: http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...v-tt-3871.html

Bob

[Country_Mouse]

The WDH is only used to return weight to the front axle that was removed (think of a teeter totter) when the trailer was attached. If it's essentially lifting the rear axle too much then it is not properly adjusted. While the CAT scale is the definitive way to know if it is working when you set it up you are supposed to measure the space between the wheel wells of both front and rear wheels. Directions were in our manual.

P.S. The WDH did not help with the sagging on our Expedition even after adjustments.

[Country_Mouse]

By the way, what is your setup?

[pawntan]

Mine is SLX 154BH and Chrysler town country 2012

[Country_Mouse]

Originally Posted by pawntan

Mine is SLX 154BH and Chrysler town country 2012

Weights? What does your owner's manual for Town and Country say your towing limits are? Mine gives a chart that says a trailer over such and such weight only with a wdh. Is that a minivan?

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by pawntan

Mine is SLX 154BH and Chrysler town country 2012

Holy moley! I pulled an SLX 165RB with a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. You REALLY REALLY REALLY need a weight distribution hitch for that combo. I'll bet the T&C really sags at the rear, doesn't it?

Hey, could I interest you in a Husky 31330 Weight Distribution Hitch system? I used it on our Caravan to pull the SLX 165RB, and it worked just fine. We've since upgraded both TV and TT.

Roger

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by pawntan

Mine is SLX 154BH and Chrysler town country 2012

With unibody vehicle frames (like the Chrysler Town & Country) be "extra careful" when considering the use of a WDH. Proper WDH model/sizing/adjustment is very important.

Refer to your owners manual for any restrictions and/or limitations when using a WDH.

Bob

[pawntan]

Does it have sway control ?

Originally Posted by rkresge

Holy moley! I pulled an SLX 165RB with a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. You REALLY REALLY REALLY need a weight distribution hitch for that combo. I'll bet the T&C really sags at the rear, doesn't it?

Hey, could I interest you in a Husky 31330 Weight Distribution Hitch system? I used it on our Caravan to pull the SLX 165RB, and it worked just fine. We've since upgraded both TV and TT.

Roger

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by pawntan

Does it have sway control ?

Sorry, I kept the sway control bar to use with my new hitch. And you really should have sway control. The Husky part #34715 is the right one for this package, seems to cost about $50. With that trailer you should only need sway control on one side - mine is a right side.

Roger

[pawntan]

What would be the advantage of husky ? compare to just the cheaper Eaz lift here :


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...1JX0BMGWGZ4PDD

Originally Posted by rkresge

Sorry, I kept the sway control bar to use with my new hitch. And you really should have sway control. The Husky part #34715 is the right one for this package, seems to cost about $50. With that trailer you should only need sway control on one side - mine is a right side.

Roger

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by pawntan

What would be the advantage of husky ? compare to just the cheaper Eaz lift here :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...1JX0BMGWGZ4PDD

You tell me. Looks like a rebranded Husky.

[pawntan]

How heavy is your husky whole assembly including the sway control ?

Originally Posted by rkresge

Holy moley! I pulled an SLX 165RB with a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. You REALLY REALLY REALLY need a weight distribution hitch for that combo. I'll bet the T&C really sags at the rear, doesn't it?

Hey, could I interest you in a Husky 31330 Weight Distribution Hitch system? I used it on our Caravan to pull the SLX 165RB, and it worked just fine. We've since upgraded both TV and TT.

Roger

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by pawntan

How heavy is your husky whole assembly including the sway control ?

The Husky hitch assembly is their part #31330 and apparently weighs 57.1 pounds. The sway control is part #34715 and weighs about 13 pounds. But I'm not selling the sway control, only the hitch assembly and weight distribution package.

Roger

[Jhnbggs]

HI All,
Pawntan, the best thing to do is your homework on several brands of WDH's. I personally spent 6 months talking to various people in all facets of the rec vehicle business before I made my decision. I wanted to know all the weights and also the trailer weights. I too used the CAT scales ounce I did my purchase and loaded up with everything I thought I'd use on trips. Keep in mind that will change until you have it tuned in for weight. I went with the Equalizer brand as it has both Wd and anti sway in one unit.

[Tex1961]

Originally Posted by pawntan

What would be the advantage of husky ? compare to just the cheaper Eaz lift here :


Robot Check

If your interested, I have this basic model that I was about to put up for sale. I just upgraded and want to sell mine. You can pm me for more info if you interested. $75.00 plus shipping from Dallas, tx

[LarryJ]

I'm very happy with the Equalizer (1000lb). No sway and VG weight distribution. Does make some noise, but put the Equalizer pads on for under bars at frame mounts and keeping the ball well lubed has got most of that under control. I wouldn't use another brand myself, but seems lots like the chain types as there are several to choose from and cost is much less (quality??)...

Larry J
2015 264BHW SLX
2007 Ram 1500

[rangerdoc]

I tow a Jayco 184BH with our minivan rated at 3,500lbs. You definitely need a WDH and I recommend the sway as well. I also added airbags for the rear springs. I promise you are right at the limits of your van, just like me. You need all the help you can get. I also minimally load anything in the back of the van and I pack most things to the rear of the trailer to keep the hitch weight down. The difference all this makes is night and day compared to when I towed it home from the dealer with just the airbags. I would also make sure your brakes have plenty of life left. 60mph should be your limit. Below are the links to the airbags I purchased and the Husky WDH I use. A unibody may not be designed for a WDH, but I'll tell you from a safety aspect it made a huge difference.


Robot Check


Robot Check

[RACarvalho]

For towing with cars I have the impression we (owners) need to know a little more on how the WDH works.
On the link below is a really nice article about the importance of ball mount angle.
Go to page 6 => RV Lifestyle - Vol. 44 No. 2
If you can not make WD work one of three things:
1 - WDH set up is not right (ball angle)?
2 - Spring bars spec. below what you need.
3 - Your hitch is twisting...
For 2 you will need stronger bars
For 3 you will need to reinforce your hitch.

rangerdoc,
What is the tongue weight of your trailer?
What pressure you load on the rear suspension bags?

Tks,