Weight distribution question

Desertpull · 03-07-2018, 11:40 AM

We are towing a jay flight slx 195rb with a 2002 Chevy Tahoe, trailer weighing under 4K loaded. At what point do you know you need a weight distribution hitch vs just using a sway bar? Isn’t it dangerous to add to much weight to the tongue with a heavy WDH? I was looking at a Reese wdh but seems so heavy and couldn’t find one for a lighter weight trailer.

bankr63 · 03-07-2018, 11:53 AM

Generally the manual for your Tahoe will tell you when you need a WDH, and it is usually by tongue weight (TW), not overall trailer weight. A trip to the CAT scales can help you determine your TW. You may want a WDH at lower weights if you find you have steering or control issues.

I have a lighter combo and use a simple Husky round bar WDH. Spring bars are rated for 600-800 lbs TW. Bar sets come in about 200 lb increments. yes, the head is pretty heavy (maybe 20+ lbs) but it relieves more than it's own weight from bearing down on the rear axle.

Sundancer330 · 03-07-2018, 12:03 PM

You will know if you need a WDH when you hook up the TT to your Tahoe. Take a few measurements on level ground when unhooked from the TT, measure height to both front and rear top of wheel well opening. Then hook up TT and measure at the same points again, most likely the front end will lift taking weight off the front end which is not good. If your front measurement gains more than 1/2"-3/4" you need a WDH to get some of that weight off the back end and get the measurement back to near where you started. Hope this is easy to follow.

ttavasc · 03-07-2018, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desertpull

We are towing a jay flight slx 195rb with a 2002 Chevy Tahoe, trailer weighing under 4K loaded. At what point do you know you need a weight distribution hitch vs just using a sway bar? Isn’t it dangerous to add to much weight to the tongue with a heavy WDH? I was looking at a Reese wdh but seems so heavy and couldn’t find one for a lighter weight trailer.

If you are interested in a lighter weight hitch then check out the Andersen No-Sway. Only weighs about 60lbs and very easy to set up and adjust. We've been using one with our 195RB Baja for several years and it does a great job.

**Midnightmoon** · 03-07-2018, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttavasc

If you are interested in a lighter weight hitch then check out the Andersen No-Sway. Only weighs about 60lbs and very easy to set up and adjust. We've been using one with our 195RB Baja for several years and it does a great job.

X2. I love our Anderson with our 22BHM.

ttavasc · 03-07-2018, 12:52 PM

For the OP - here's a timely post if interested in the Andersen:

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...tml#post616196

DocBrown · 03-07-2018, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

You will know if you need a WDH when you hook up the TT to your Tahoe. Take a few measurements on level ground when unhooked from the TT, measure height to both front and rear top of wheel well opening. Then hook up TT and measure at the same points again, most likely the front end will lift taking weight off the front end which is not good. If your front measurement gains more than 1/2"-3/4" you need a WDH to get some of that weight off the back end and get the measurement back to near where you started. Hope this is easy to follow.

X2 on this. You Tahoe's manual should have something in the towing section explaining this. GM's spec is to adjust the WDH so that the front fenders are back to stock height.

Our previous hybrid was only a 3500# trailer but I still needed a WDH with a '95 'Burb. The trouble with the big GM SUVs is the coil spring suspension that is softer than the leafs used on PU trucks. Even a 400# tongue weight can take enough off the front end to make steering a scary experience.

Desertpull · 03-08-2018, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bankr63

Generally the manual for your Tahoe will tell you when you need a WDH, and it is usually by tongue weight (TW), not overall trailer weight. A trip to the CAT scales can help you determine your TW. You may want a WDH at lower weights if you find you have steering or control issues.

I have a lighter combo and use a simple Husky round bar WDH. Spring bars are rated for 600-800 lbs TW. Bar sets come in about 200 lb increments. yes, the head is pretty heavy (maybe 20+ lbs) but it relieves more than it's own weight from bearing down on the rear axle.

Thank you!!

Desertpull · 03-08-2018, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

You will know if you need a WDH when you hook up the TT to your Tahoe. Take a few measurements on level ground when unhooked from the TT, measure height to both front and rear top of wheel well opening. Then hook up TT and measure at the same points again, most likely the front end will lift taking weight off the front end which is not good. If your front measurement gains more than 1/2"-3/4" you need a WDH to get some of that weight off the back end and get the measurement back to near where you started. Hope this is easy to follow.

We only measured the back end so will do it over to get front end measured too. Thank You!!

Desertpull · 03-08-2018, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttavasc

If you are interested in a lighter weight hitch then check out the Andersen No-Sway. Only weighs about 60lbs and very easy to set up and adjust. We've been using one with our 195RB Baja for several years and it does a great job.

We have been thinking about the Anderson but saw several bad reviews that it doesn’t really stop the swaying. We camp in an area that the winds can get pretty strong getting there. Does your Anderson squeak? Also do you have to disconnect the sway while backing up?

Desertpull · 03-08-2018, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBrown

X2 on this. You Tahoe's manual should have something in the towing section explaining this. GM's spec is to adjust the WDH so that the front fenders are back to stock height.

Our previous hybrid was only a 3500# trailer but I still needed a WDH with a '95 'Burb. The trouble with the big GM SUVs is the coil spring suspension that is softer than the leafs used on PU trucks. Even a 400# tongue weight can take enough off the front end to make steering a scary experience.

We have thought about getting the suspension stiffer. Did you end up doing that and if so what method did you do?
Thanks!

SkyBound · 03-08-2018, 07:06 AM

Do you figure your tongue weight is under 600lbs? If so, the Equalizer 600lb model would be a great choice. It has 4 point integrated sway control, and you can keep it attached when backing up.

ttavasc · 03-08-2018, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desertpull

We have been thinking about the Anderson but saw several bad reviews that it doesn’t really stop the swaying. We camp in an area that the winds can get pretty strong getting there. Does your Anderson squeak? Also do you have to disconnect the sway while backing up?

No squeaking on the Andersen and no need to disconnect when backing up. Once the chains are attached to the plate on the bottom of the shank the ball turns with the coupler instead of the coupler turning on top of the ball. The friction for the sway control is the liner in the shank. In addition to the pressure of the chains when tightened the heavier the tongue pressing down on the ball the more friction is generated.

As for sway control - our experience has been it's quite effective on our trailer. We routinely make trips from the PNW to the SW. The tow is comfortable and we've never had any issues when being passed (or passing) semi's on the freeway or in windy conditions. We've been in some pretty windy conditions making the trip down south with no complaints.

The GVWR on your 195RB is the same as our Baja model - 3750. I usually scale ours at the beginning of each season and then again if any major changes are made such as when I added a second battery. Fully loaded for a longer trip our tongue weight runs around 440 with 3260 on the trailer axles for a total of 3700. That's about 12% tongue weight. I also have the hitch adjusted so that the nose of the trailer is about 1.5" below level. That has provided the best towing experience for our set up.

Desertpull · 03-08-2018, 10:13 AM

Thank you so much for that information! Did you install yourself or have a company install for you?

**Midnightmoon** · 03-08-2018, 10:15 AM

If you are speaking of the Anderson, it is an easy at home install that tanks less than an hour.

Desertpull · 03-08-2018, 10:16 AM

I have no idea but maybe my husband knows

Desertpull · 03-08-2018, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyBound

Do you figure your tongue weight is under 600lbs? If so, the Equalizer 600lb model would be a great choice. It has 4 point integrated sway control, and you can keep it attached when backing up.

I have no idea but maybe my husband knows.

Desertpull · 03-08-2018, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

If you are speaking of the Anderson, it is an easy at home install that tanks less than an hour.

Thank you for letting me know!

ttavasc · 03-08-2018, 10:21 AM

Our dealer did the initial installation which got the trailer home. However, I was not happy with the way it pulled home and ended up re-doing it after learning some things about the 4-corner auto-leveling suspension on my truck that were causing the trailer to be nose high. It's pretty simple and straightforward to install, and after doing the initial wheel well measurements and confirming the proper return of weight to the front axle via the CAT scale hook up is a breeze. I just tighten the chains till the red urethane bushings have a certain amount of compression on them and I'm done.

GarlicDude · 03-09-2018, 09:03 AM

I'm towing a Jay Feather 18RMB with a Toyota Tacoma and an Anderson WDH. Looks like you might be a fellow Californian, at any rate I've towed across Pacheco Pass, Highway 152, with the high wind warning sign on. lots of cross winds and have experienced no sway. Very pleased with my Anderson setup. I had the hitch installed by a shop that specializes in hitches and towing. Paid a bit more but since this was our first TT I thought it best to make sure it was done correctly.

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