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Old 03-29-2013, 05:52 AM   #1
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Weight distribution and anti sway ....is it necessary?

I need advice please! My rv salesperson advised us that it wasn't necessary to have a weight distribution and anti sway bar with our tv and tt. I have a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 (quad cab) and a Jayco Jayfeather x23b. I've been doing some research and getting the idea that the sales person was incorrect. Can I have some feed back to put my mind at ease please. PS We're new to towing a trailer.
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Old 03-29-2013, 05:59 AM   #2
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My feeling is you are getting the wrong info as you suspect and need WD and sway control. The 23B is not like a small light popup that would not require it. Looking at the weights, you could approach 5000 lbs and 6-700 lbs in loaded tongue weight with that setup.


FLOORPLAN X23B

Weights
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs) 3,925
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs) 410
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 4,950
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 1,025
Measurements
Exterior Length 24' 5"
Exterior Width 96"
Exterior Height w/ A/C 120"
Interior Height 78"
Front Bunk 60 x 78
Rear Bunk 60 x 78
J-Steel Convertible Sofa 42 x 72
Wheel Base 187-1/8"
Tank Capacities
Fresh Water Capacity (gals) includes water heater 28.5
Gray Waste Water Capacity (gals) 29.5
Black Waste Water Capacity (gals) 22.5
Other
Sleeping Capacity 7-8
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Old 03-29-2013, 06:14 AM   #3
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Measure your front fender height unhitched. Then measure it with the trailer hitched. If the front of the truck raises when hitched, then you need WD. Given the relatively soft suspension of the Ram trucks, I doubt that it will not raised. This indicates that weight has been removed from the front axle and needs to be replaced for safe handling. The height you need to return it to should be given in your truck owner's manual. Also, the rating for your hitch without WD is probably going to be 500/5000. That will be increased with the use of a WD hitch. Whether to use anti-sway is your call, but most people find that they need it. The friction type systems are fine for a trailer with your weight and they are cheap.
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Old 03-29-2013, 03:15 PM   #4
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I find it rather unusual that a salesperson would suggest not buying something that would make your towing experience safer, less stressful, plus, make the dealership some additional money.
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Old 03-29-2013, 03:42 PM   #5
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Yes, IMO a WDH with a friction control sway bar would be highly recommended. My BIL had the same TV/TT combination and there was no way around not having a WDH, unless one planned on towing an unloaded TV & TT. Between the actual "ship weight" (yellow sticker) and the 23B GVWR of about 5,000lbs there isn't much cargo capacity remaining so towing near the TT's GVWR is highly likely. I weighed my BIL 23B tongue under loaded conditions (Sherline scale) and it was 625lbs, and he was using an 800lb rated WDH.

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Old 03-29-2013, 05:33 PM   #6
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Very cheap insurance to have expecially if you do a lot of freeway/interstate driving. Som WDH have a built in system most do not but to add a side sway bar makes that long drive to the CG a bit less stressful.
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Old 03-30-2013, 05:42 AM   #7
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I would recommend using at least anti sway devise on ANY size trailer/tow vehicle combination.
On your combination, I'd also add WD to the mix. Without WD, it will tend to make control of the some(if not most)TVs, unpredictable.



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Old 03-30-2013, 06:53 AM   #8
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When I bought my 2006 23B I towed it bareback from Grandville to Kalamazoo without incident and the worst part of the tow was the fact that my hitch extension didn't have enough drop. This made the trailer ride nose high as my 4x4 truck sits up high so it was a teeny bit squirrely but not so much that it made the event a white knuckle trip. I installed a WDH setup before I towed the trailer again and didn't have a friction sway control bar yet.

I would recommend a WDH for anything bigger than a popup.
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Old 03-30-2013, 07:22 AM   #9
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In our case WDH isn't required to pull our 19H, but an inexpensive friction sway control is a must. Larry
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Old 03-30-2013, 08:35 AM   #10
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We just bought a 2013 X23B and tow with a Toyota Tundra Rock Warrior. Our Jayco dealer strongly suggested a combo WDH/Sway control system. We had a http://www.equalizerhitch.com installed. I can tell you that it makes a big difference when traveling interstate highways and being passed by tractor trailers as far as eliminating sway. If you have ever had a trailer start swaying at highway speeds you will appreciate anything that will help control that.
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Old 03-30-2013, 08:39 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flutterby View Post
I need advice please! My rv salesperson advised us that it wasn't necessary to have a weight distribution and anti sway bar with our tv and tt. I have a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 (quad cab) and a Jayco Jayfeather x23b. I've been doing some research and getting the idea that the sales person was incorrect. Can I have some feed back to put my mind at ease please. PS We're new to towing a trailer.
As weighed and ready for camping, my tongue weight is about 600# and the RV weighs 3800#.

Your RV is larger than mine and heavier, and there is a good chance the tongue weight will be greater. Spending an extra $300 on standard WDH/anti-sway equipment for a full height RV is a no-brainer. Forget the salesman's myopia and do yourself a favor - get the equipment to make your towing experience as well as everyone else's safety better.
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Old 03-30-2013, 11:30 AM   #12
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Don't overlook adjusting your truck's tire pressures to accommodate the increased weight the tongue weight of the trailer. I agree that a weight distributing hitch is a good idea especially since you're towing with a 1/2 ton truck. But tires on either your T.V. or T.T. that are under-inflated for the load can make trailer sway worse than it would otherwise be.
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Old 03-31-2013, 03:35 PM   #13
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I have a 23B and I feel much more in control with both.
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Old 03-31-2013, 04:48 PM   #14
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I have a x23b and agree with Knickerbocker. WDH and anti-sway is the way to go. It's a small investment in the big scheme of things.

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Old 03-31-2013, 08:36 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flutterby View Post
I need advice please! My rv salesperson advised us that it wasn't necessary to have a weight distribution and anti sway bar with our tv and tt. I have a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 (quad cab) and a Jayco Jayfeather x23b. I've been doing some research and getting the idea that the sales person was incorrect. Can I have some feed back to put my mind at ease please. PS We're new to towing a trailer.
I have a 2011 Ram Quadcab and a 2012 X23B and would not think about towing without the WDH and sway bar in place.
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Old 04-03-2013, 05:01 PM   #16
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Thanks!

Thank you all for your advice and I will be taking it and purchasing a WDH and anti sway! thanks again!!
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Old 04-08-2013, 10:11 PM   #17
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I have been wondering the same thing with buying a WDH. I just purchased a X23F and towed it home 280 miles in a heavy cross wind. I have pulled trailers before, and coming home I never felt out of control with my new trailer but did have some sway to it. My HTT only drops my rear hitch by abour 2 inches so I was wondering if it was necessary or not. My TV is a 2005 Ford F150 FX4 Supercrew with a 5.4L gas, 3.73 rearend, and towing package. I'm open to any advice as well when it comes to this piece of equipment. Thanks.
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Old 04-09-2013, 09:21 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by JohnsonJayFeather View Post
snip........ My HTT only drops my rear hitch by abour 2 inches so I was wondering if it was necessary or not.....snip
Whats more important is what is happening to the front suspension of your TV? If the rear is dropping 2", there will be a good chance the front suspension raised a little....., and you were still under "unloaded" conditions coming from your RV dealer.

With your 2005 F-150 with your TV/TT under "loaded" conditions, the TV's front suspension should be returned to it's "unhitched" weight (height) and this is what the WDH is designed to do. In most cases once the TV's front suspension is returned to it's "unhitched" condition, it's normal that the rear of the TV will squat 1"-2". Returning the TV's front suspension to it's unhitched condition maintains established steering and handling characteristics.

The best way to confirm all your TV/TT loaded weights and WDH adjustment is a visit to a CAT scale.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...igh-Your-tt-tv

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Old 04-09-2013, 09:49 AM   #19
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Returning the front height to the unhitched height may or may not be correct, depending on the year model of the truck. Check your owners manual and it will tell you specifically what the loaded front end height will be. The newer Ford manuals state to return it to half of the difference between the hitched and unhitched height. I don't know what model year that started but that's what the manual for my F250 says. I don't know why they would not tell you to return it to the original height, but they are the engineers, not I.
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Old 04-09-2013, 10:11 AM   #20
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snip...... I don't know what model year that started but that's what the manual for my F250 says......snip
It started with the 2011 model year..., and was the reason why I made sure I referenced the OP's model year of 2005 in my reply.

In another thread I did however refer that OP to his owners manual because he had a 2013 F series Ford.

On the subject of the recent change by Ford (& GM), as you are aware that remains a hot subject on a number of forums.

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