WDH 1000lbs or 1200lbs

ajcampers · 03-01-2018, 08:09 AM

With our new Whitehawk 27rb on order I'm getting all my equipment together. The dealer wants $599 for the equilizer 4 point and I'm finding it online for over $150 cheaper.

My dilemma is this. The advertised tongue weight of the trailer is 610lbs. Now that's dry and I know from reading that the manufacturers has a tendency to understate that weight. I was originally thinking of getting the 1000lbs wdh but now I'm wondering if I should just go bigger just in case. I really don't think we'll ever load the unit up so much that the tongue weight would surpass 1000lbs but I guess things can happen.

Now I have read that having too big of a wdh can be just as bad as too small.

I guess I just need some reassuring that the 1000lbs will be sufficient.

Thank you for your help.

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Sundancer330 · 03-01-2018, 08:22 AM

Looking at the specs on that trailer the GVWR is 8200# so take the worse case at 15% you have a tongue weight of 1230#

ajcampers · 03-01-2018, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

Looking at the specs on that trailer the GVWR is 8200# so take the worse case at 15% you have a tongue weight of 1230#

Yeah that would be extreme. We're not heavy packers but this is also our first TT so who know how much stuff might accumulate over a year or two.

Would there be adverse effects on towing using the wdh rated at 1200lbs if the tongue weight is; lets say only 800lbs?

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Sundancer330 · 03-01-2018, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajcampers

Yeah that would be extreme. We're not heavy packers but this is also our first TT so who know how much stuff might accumulate over a year or two.

Would there be adverse effects on towing using the wdh rated at 1200lbs if the tongue weight is; lets say only 800lbs?

If it was me I would use 1200# setup. Here is a link to etrailer which gives a nice overview of sizing a WDH. https://www.etrailer.com/tv-best-wei...tribution.aspx

DocBrown · 03-01-2018, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajcampers

My dilemma is this. The advertised tongue weight of the trailer is 610lbs. Now that's dry and I know from reading that the manufacturers has a tendency to understate that weight.

It's not a matter of understating the weight. It's that dry weight is the trailer with no options and nothing loaded into it. No one tows a trailer at that weight. The reality is that with options the "as delivered" weight is going to be at least 500# more. Check the yellow sticker on the outside of the trailer for "Shipped weight". At another 500# and 13% of the tongue you are looking at a 910# tongue weight.

And even if you are packing light, you'll still have at least another 500# of "stuff".

Get the 1200# hitch.

ajcampers · 03-01-2018, 09:44 AM

I'll be doing the 1200lbs version.

Thank you for everyone's input!

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Jagiven · 03-01-2018, 10:11 AM

As for the price difference, the dealer will include setup? If so, have them set it up with a little extra transfer to the front, so that when you load it up, you will not have to make any adjustments.

ajcampers · 03-01-2018, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagiven

As for the price difference, the dealer will include setup? If so, have them set it up with a little extra transfer to the front, so that when you load it up, you will not have to make any adjustments.

They will setup the system for me. I'll make sure they show me how to make adjustments.

Thank you

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SOMBATFAMILY · 03-01-2018, 12:57 PM

Curious, how much tongue weight can your truck handle? My buddy have the F250 diesel and there is a sticker on his hitch receiver that state max tongue weight with and without WDH is 2100#.
My understanding on the spring bar on a WDH is to have some flexibility like a spring on a truck. Heavy spring make bumpy ride but if too soft it will bottom out easily.

SkyBound · 03-01-2018, 01:04 PM

If it's any help, here are my weights for a similar set-up:

Trailer empty 5500lbs
Trailer GVWR 7500lbs
Actual loaded trailer 6800lbs

Published dry tongue weight 690lbs
Actual loaded tongue weight 920lbs (with dual 6V batteries on tongue, no water)

I use an Equalizer 10K and it works well. I have CAT scale verified 100% load return to front axle.

Considering your trailer has a higher GVWR, if you are planning on getting anywhere near it I would go up to the 12K. It's a heavier hitch so as long as your truck has the payload available, it's probably a good idea.

SkyBound · 03-01-2018, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajcampers

They will setup the system for me. I'll make sure they show me how to make adjustments.

Thank you

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Just so you know, they're probably going to set it up wrong, and you will have to dial it in yourself.

The dealership's precision method of hitch set up goes like this:

"Yep Jimmy, she looks good to me, tighten'r up and let's go fer lunch!"

ajcampers · 03-01-2018, 01:53 PM

I have 2010 Ram 1500 SLT Crewcab 4x4 w/3.92 rear. Per RAM my max payload is 1,430lbs.

I have watched countless YouTube videos on WDH setup. I'll be supervising the setup, thanks for the heads up though.

This is all great advice, thank you!

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ROC-REQS · 03-01-2018, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajcampers

I'll be doing the 1200lbs version.

Thank you for everyone's input!

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aj,

Your smart with going to the 1200lb bars.

From what I saw on-line it looks like you're new trailer has the front pass thru storage. Depending on what you load in there that can have a major impact on your tongue weight, along with where everything else is loaded (i.e., anything loaded front of the TT axles will have a positive impact on the tongue weight, anything loaded behind the TT axles will have a negative impact on tongue weight).

So by adjusting where you load things and can made some adjustments to your loaded tongue weight.

You may want to also check to see where the fresh water tank is located (e.g., in front of the TT axles, over the axles, or behind the axles). Where it's located will help you identify what impact it will have on the TT tongue weight if you ever travel with water in it.

First thing I did after purchasing each new trailer is I took it to a CAT scale and weighted it empty including getting the unloaded tongue weight. Then after loading it, I weighed it again, including getting the loaded tongue weight, so I knew exactly what I had.

You definitely want to keep your loaded tongue weight between 10 - 15% of the total loaded trailer's weight. Personally I found for the TTs we had they towed better around 12% loaded tongue weight

Good luck and enjoy you're new Jayco.

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