WDH Battle

[Ubyaman]

Hello all. I’ve been searching for something conclusive for days but just can’t find anything.
I just bought a 2018 White Hawk 25FK in March. I asked the dealership to use their expertise to pick out and install a WDH. They put a Pro Series 800# (max) on it and set it up. I was checking out the brochure last week on the 25FK and noticed the tongue weight is 730. I’ve contacted the dealer and they are telling me that the hitch they used should be perfectly fine and are refusing to exchange it.
I’ve pulled it once and it did ok I guess. I’m a rookie so not sure what it should or could be.

Am I wrong in thinking they should exchange it for a higher rated WDH OR is it true that 800# is good enough for this TT.
Thanks so much for your input!

[GrumpyDad]

If your loaded tongue weight is 730 and the hitch bars are good for 800 then that's a great match.

[Rustic Eagle]

Ubyaman,

Welcome to JOF

The 730lb as you mentioned is a "published" 25FK dry tongue weight, but isn't reflective of what your "loaded" tongue weight may be. Also, the published UVW of 5,750lbs isn't reflective of the actual "as-shipped" UVW that will be noted on the yellow sticker on the side of your TT.

We all have different loading habits but here is a hypothetical 25FK moderately loaded: (6,100lbs as-shipped UVW from on-line source) + (50lb dealer battery) + (700lbs cargo, no fluids) = 6,850lbs gross loaded weight.

The 25FK is a 30ft TT thus a loaded tongue weight range of 13% to 15% of gross weight would be desirable......; 6,850lbs = 890lbs (13%) to 1,025lbs (15%). The 25FK loaded to it's GVWR of 7,500lbs = 975lbs to 1,125lbs loaded tongue weight range.

The RV dealership may reference the manufactures standard recommendation of a 10% to 15% for tongue weights, but reality is that a 10% to 12% tongue weight on a 30ft TT isn't desirable in less then ideal towing conditions (wind, sudden maneuvers, etc.). Also, a loaded front kitchen TT w/front pass thru storage will seldom experience a loaded tongue weight in the 10% to 12% range at the CAT scales.

IMO the 800lb rated WDH isn't a good match for the 25FK.

Bob

[Ubyaman]

Sorry I wasn’t very clear. The brochure says 730 and does not include propane or anything else in the trailer.

[Murff]

I agree with Rustic Eagle!.

Murff

[Psdx]

You could take your rig to the scales, accurately determine the actual tongue weight and present the hard copy of the weight slip to your dealer if it’s over 800 lbs (and I predict it will be).

Another point to consider is the fact that the hitch should be able to accommodate the GVWR for the camper they sold you. The GVWR is 7500 lbs. A good average tongue weight is 13%, which is 975 lbs. In my opinion they should have set you up with the 1,000 lb bars.

[GrumpyDad]

Thanks for the people who did some math on that one. Sounds like your tongue weight is going to be well past 800 lbs (and close to 1000lbs), so the 800 lb bars are NOT a suitable match.

RV dealers around here have a terrible reputation for doing the right thing in situations like this. Good luck.

[RogerR]

I agree with all of the above.

First, weigh your tongue at a scale and take the receipt to your dealer.

If they don't help and the Mfg. won't help then come back here first and publish the dealers name and address.

Then go to Facebook or any other site and post the same complaint on the dealers' site and manufacturer's website.

Write emails to both with your complaint.

Consider BBB if your dealer is a member.

Eventually one of these will get through to them that it would be better (ie save lost sales) to fix the problem than to ignore you.

From a safety point of view you need to upgrade. Breaking the WDH while hitching up or running down the road could be disastrous to you and others.

[Ubyaman]

Great information and suggestions. I’ve spent hours researching this and feel I know more about it than my dealers service department. Kind of scary.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Ubyaman

snip.......I’ve spent hours researching this and feel I know more about it than my dealers service department.....snip

Knowledgeable RV customers frighten RV dealerships

Bob

[GrumpyDad]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Knowledgeable RV customers frighten RV dealerships

Bob

And RV dealerships giving any kind of equipment advice should frighten us all.

[Ubyaman]

Originally Posted by GrumpyDad

And RV dealerships giving any kind of equipment advice should frighten us all.

As the old cliche goes “if I knew then what I know now”
I just traded my F150 for a 2017 F250 last week just to feel more confident as we intend to do some long hauls. So maybe now it’s not as much of an issue but I’m willing to continue this ‘battle’ just in the interest of moral principle..