Weight Distribution Hitch and Sway Control Question

[tld]

I've pulled a fifth wheel with 3/4-ton diesel for the past 9 years. But we sold both and are going with a small bumper pull and a half-ton truck. The trailer will have a dry weight of 4,796 and a dry tongue weight of 480. The trailer's GVWR is 6,995. Can I assume that a weight distribution hitch with sway control is for sure in my future?

[TWP723]

Definitely.

[Markb5900]

Oh yes.
We did the same thing, my trailer is a little heavier than yours, but my half ton pulls it nicely.

[mrmom]

Yes, you will need a WDH.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by tld

snip........The trailer will have a dry weight of 4,796 and a dry tongue weight of 480. The trailer's GVWR is 6,995. Can I assume that a weight distribution hitch with sway control is for sure in my future?

I agree, a WDH would be required with your TV/TT.

Based on loading (worst case) the TT to it's 6,995lb GVWR, your recommended 'loaded' tounge weight would be 909lbs to 1,049lbs (13% to 15% of gross weight).

A WDH rated at 1,000lb would be a minimum recommendation..., a 1,200lb rated WDH wouldn't be an overkill when properly adjusted to accommodate lower loaded tongue weights. If you tend to load on the heavy side or travel with a full fresh water tank, I would go with the 1,200lb rated WDH.

CAT Scale TV/TT weigh-in: https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...v-tt-3871.html

Bob

[Jerry713]

I didn’t see what length your looking at but agree those weights are enough where you’ll need a WD hitch. There are a wide variety of WD hitches available. In my opinion anything below about $500 or for sure $400 is a complete waste of money. The cheaper ones do a horrible job at reducing sway and porpoising. You’ll hear of folks who have different experiences with these cheaper ones but usually most of those folks have never used a quality WD hitch so they don’t know any difference.

I recommend the following weight distribution hitches:
1- Weigh Safe but only if you’re travel trailers hitch coupler is on top of the frame.
2- Equalizer
3- B&W

[Riverman]

I love my Equalizer hitch.... NO sway with my Jayco.

There's no way I would buy anything else.

Amazon has them.

https://www.amazon.com/Equal-i-zer-D...8b6c26f63&th=1

[tld]

A lot of the WDH's say they are for a specific tongue weight range, like between, say 900 and 1100 pounds. If my actual tongue weight happened to be, say 700 pounds, like if I hadn't loaded it as much as I could have for that trip, does that mean a WDH rated for a tongue weight between 900 and 1100 pounds would not work?

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by tld

snip..... If my actual tongue weight happened to be, say 700 pounds, like if I hadn't loaded it as much as I could have for that trip, does that mean a WDH rated for a tongue weight between 900 and 1100 pounds would not work?

It would work as long as the 900lb - 1,000lb rated WDH was properly adjusted to the 700lb loaded tongue weight.

The main objective of a WDH adjustment is to restore the TV's front suspension to its original "unhitched" condition (measured fender height, or actual weight).

Just curious, what brand/model TT are you looking at?

Bob

[tld]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

It would work as long as the 900lb - 1,000lb rated WDH was properly adjusted to the 700lb loaded tongue weight.

The main objective of a WDH adjustment is to restore the TV's front suspension to its original "unhitched" condition (measured fender height, or actual weight).

Just curious, what brand/model TT are you looking at?

Bob

Jayco Jay Flight 212 QB and Grand Design Transcend Xplor 200mk

[Kim Gass]

We have the 212qb and an Andersen hitch which seems to work well for us

[Midnightmoon]

Another vote for the Andersen. Fantastic hitch, fully adjustable, light, quick to setup, and works great.

[LuckyDuck]

X3 for the Andersen. It is the perfect match for our 212QBW. I don’t know about the Grand Design, but the GVWR for the 212QB is only 5,500. Andersen is light and the sway control is excellent.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

X3 for the Andersen. It is the perfect match for our 212QBW. I don’t know about the Grand Design, but the GVWR for the 212QB is only 5,500. Andersen is light and the sway control is excellent.

I don't know where the 6900# came from either. So I really don't know if the Anderson is appropriate for that load..Just haven't looked if the newer 212 have that much capacity.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

I don't know where the 6900# came from either........snip

That was my reason for inquiring from the OP what brand/model he was looking at. OP responded with Jayco 212 QB and Grand Design Transcend 200MK (post #10).

The Transcend 220MK has a 6,995lb GVWR (ref. OP Post#1).

Bob

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

I don't know where the 6900# came from either. So I really don't know if the Anderson is appropriate for that load..Just haven't looked if the newer 212 have that much capacity.

The 2023 has 5,500 according to the Jayco factory site. Hasn’t changed much in 5 years. I don’t think 6,900 is a problem for the Andersen either, but easy enough to check.

[blammo]

I'll second the "Equalizer" brand. I've had one for years. Don't forget to get the "L" block plastic slider covers, or the tight turn metal screeching will lead you to thinking the Hitch doesn't work right (even though it is. ).

This sliders are extra parts, and not normally included in the purchase, you need to buy them separately.

See here for a source: https://www.amazon.com/Equal-i-zer-9...48054702&psc=1

bobb

Originally Posted by Riverman

I love my Equalizer hitch.... NO sway with my Jayco.

There's no way I would buy anything else.

Amazon has them.

https://www.amazon.com/Equal-i-zer-D...8b6c26f63&th=1

[joe w]

Originally Posted by tld

I've pulled a fifth wheel with 3/4-ton diesel for the past 9 years. But we sold both and are going with a small bumper pull and a half-ton truck. The trailer will have a dry weight of 4,796 and a dry tongue weight of 480. The trailer's GVWR is 6,995. Can I assume that a weight distribution hitch with sway control is for sure in my future?

We tow our 212 QB with a Husky Centerline TS hitch and have close to 20K towed miles to date. Have yet to have experienced a "white knuckle" moment and we've been through some pretty rough windy conditions. As with all WD hitches configuration is critical to safe towing. BTW LT tires make a noticeable difference compared to P rated tires.

[Kim Gass]

If tight back in sites are the norm for you consider a hitch that does not need to be disengaged before backing into the site.. Our Anderson does not require that.


Almost all the places we go involve backing up.

[Jopopsy]

I noticed the Anderson still only carries a 1 year warranty; kind of lame considering some of the competition. Any concerns there?