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Old 10-04-2015, 05:20 PM   #1
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Question Can I use a high tongue weight WDH on a light TV/TT?

I'm using a minivan with a 184BH, so my tongue weight is pretty low. I want to get a WDH and sway system to make life a little easier with the minivan. I have the opportunity to buy a Husky WDH/Sway system that is designed for heavy tongue weights, for a good price. Is there any issue with me doing this on my lighter weight setup? I would like to get it so I can transfer it in a few years to an F250 and 28-30ft TT.
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Old 10-04-2015, 06:08 PM   #2
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Yes you can but adjust it properly and have the bars as level as possible by tilting the WD head. For a 28-30 ft. you need at least 1200 lbs. bars.
Also be sure TV and TT are level when towing.
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Old 10-04-2015, 06:15 PM   #3
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Cool, thanks. I also edited my post to be more clear. And the one I'm looking at has 1200lbs bars.
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Old 10-04-2015, 08:07 PM   #4
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I stumbled across a complete answer on the manufacturers website. I can't get the one I was hoping to get. I guess the sway bars are designed for certain weight trailers and mine is way too light. Oh well, probably best to just get a new one with the correct weight ratings since I'll have it for a while.
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Old 10-04-2015, 08:17 PM   #5
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Sure they are over rated for your present TT, but you will use less tension on the bars to transfer weight to the front. I use 1200 lbs bars on mine setup and works just fine.
As I said you have to tweak in on your present situation by tilting the head and use a few chain links less. The manual from the WD Hitch will tell you how too. Sure the mfg. website will recommend/sell you the right WDH for you present TT situation so they can sell another one down the road.
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Old 10-04-2015, 08:22 PM   #6
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LOL, isn't that how anything automotive related goes?!
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Old 10-04-2015, 08:27 PM   #7
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You can still use the hitch itself(just adjust it properly for you minivan), just buy different (probably 500-800lbs) bars. Keep the 1200 lbs aside for when you do your upgrades..
There is a reason why manufactures make different weights for the bars, too light of a bar will over flex and give you no weight transfer ability, too heavy of a bar will allow for no flexing and you can add extra unwanted stress on your TV and TT frames..potentially make for a very unsmooth trip. Just my 2 cents.
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Old 10-04-2015, 08:46 PM   #8
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I hadn't thought of that. I know I can buy the bars separately. Cool, I'll look into it.
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Old 10-04-2015, 09:25 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rangerdoc View Post
I'm using a minivan with a 184BH, so my tongue weight is pretty low. I want to get a WDH and sway system to make life a little easier with the minivan........snip
rangerdoc,

Welcome to JOF

I would check your TV's owners manual, some minivan manufactures don't recommend the use of a WDH due to the design of the minivan's unibody frame. There are folks that have successfully incorporated a WDH under these conditions, but extreme care was taken in sizing/adjusting the WDH correctly with the lite-weight, smaller A-frame.

There are a number of JOF threads on the subject of towing a 184BH, the following links are representative of JOF threads that may be helpful:

Minivan & 184BH: http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...tv-2857-3.html

Check out post #22 in this thread: http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...lx-8257-3.html

In respect to your original question, IMO an over-rated WDH should be avoided if one elects to incorporate a WDH on a TV with a unibody frame.

Hope this helps.

Bob
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Old 10-14-2015, 01:19 PM   #10
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I ended up going with the lowest rated hitch and it works great. Makes a world of difference.
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Old 10-14-2015, 03:24 PM   #11
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rangerdoc,

Appreciate the follow-up......., if you get a chance post the brand/model WDH you went with, good info for others considering a similar vehicle/trailer combination.

Bob
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Old 10-15-2015, 09:37 AM   #12
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I purchased the Husky 32215 Center Line TS with Spring Bars - 400 lb. to 600 lb. Tongue Weight. It was the lightest duty one they had, but it is still pretty heavy and stout. I didn't want to get one with chains and I like that I didn't have to add a separate sway bar with this setup. I can also back-up with it. The only downside is you need to be pretty straight to get the bars on/off, but that isn't too hard to accomplish.
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