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Old 07-07-2015, 10:10 AM   #1
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Weight distribution not working

I ordered a weight distribution hitch for the x17z and brought it to the shop to have it installed. Now they're telling me that it does not fit because of the placement of the propane tanks. They said the only way to fix this is to swap the battery and propane set up but that would be a lot of labor. Has anyone else experienced issues like that? This shop a specialist in campers and towing accessories so I am sure they know what they're talking about. Then I'll recommend that I installed sway bars and airbags instead.Has anyone else experienced issues like that? This shop specializes in campers and towing accessories so I am sure they know what they're talking about. They recommend that I installed sway bars and airbags now instead
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Old 07-07-2015, 10:25 AM   #2
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I just installed a WDH on my 19RD.


The saddles are very close to the tanks. To the point that the cover interferes with getting the safeties on and off.


Longer (higher capacity?) spring bars will move the saddles further back on the tongue
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Old 07-07-2015, 10:32 AM   #3
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Quite honestly I've never heard of one that didn't fit.

What are you towing with? Airbags are no substitute for a WD hitch. The main purpose of the WD hitch is to put weight back on the front wheels to restore steering control. Air bags will level the rear end but will not put weigh back on the front wheels. The WD is for your safety as much as to level the trailer.

Like Mike's, my saddles are right under the propane bottle cover. I have to lift the cover to slide the pin in when snapping up the bars.
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Old 07-07-2015, 10:41 AM   #4
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Towing the x17z with my 03 Tahoe. The guys here say it won't work and actually recommend the airbags over the wd hitch for the purpose of lifting the rear up when camper is full. I don't know so much information and it's hard to know who to trust. Right now I'm going with the sway bar and the airbags since I was told that the WD won't work
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Old 07-07-2015, 10:43 AM   #5
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If it really doesn't fit, I'd most likely look at a different WD hitch than start moving things around. On the equalizer I have I could move the brackets a few inches to accommodate the brackets for the tanks.
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Old 07-07-2015, 10:43 AM   #6
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On my 25E I have to lift the cover off the tanks in order to close the snap up brackets and install the pin


To Schilly Can you post a pic of your set-up
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Old 07-07-2015, 10:55 AM   #7
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I recommend finding a different brand of WD hitch. The tongue on that trailer is set up like all the others, bottles just behind the tongue jack. Same amount of room as all other jayco models.
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:03 AM   #8
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On my 25E the battery box is directly behind the Jack then the bottle mount With that set up there is very little clearance for the snap-up brackets to mount on the A-Frame
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:08 AM   #9
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I'm going to have to agree with everyone else those hooks are tight to the tanks. My hook up for the bars are right under the propane tank cover just slightly behind the tanks, so I have to remove the cover to hook up the bars. But I can say having the system makes a big difference, everytime I hook up I can see the weight move off the back and put the vehicle back to level.

Current System:
600 pro series trunnion weight distribution with friction sway


I had looked at the X17Z and X19H at the same time. Both trailers they showed me the pro series trunnion, blue oz and husky wd systems. They would all fit just different price points and preference.


Hope all works out for you and you get to start enjoying that new trailer.
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:24 AM   #10
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We have a 2014 17z pulling it with a '03 Toyota Sequoia. Our first WDH was the Equal-i-zer 4-point rated 600/6,000. This hitch worked as advertised but became too heavy for me to lift with lower back issues. We recently switched to the Andersen WDH model 3347 and so far it is doing fine. Neither hitch required moving things around on the frame. They both fit without any issues.
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:26 AM   #11
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I will try to post a picture a little later. Right now it won't let me from my phone. So are the guys at the shop wrong them by telling me it can't be installed? Would anyone know a specific item that does work with the X 17 Z? Without having to move around the battery and propane? I I would like to have a weight distribution installed but if those guys that supposedly do this for a living tell me it's not possible then I would need to really have an answer for them on how to do it or what to order I guess.
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:32 AM   #12
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And why is a swaybar and airbags so bad compared to a WD system? I understand the purpose of the WD, but would a sway bar and airbags not be a good second option?
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:37 AM   #13
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There are others here who are more familiar with the differences; check the previous post by DocBrown for example.
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:39 AM   #14
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I guess I understand the differences, I just want to understand if what I'm planning on doing is a OK second option. Just not sure how to convince those guys at the shop that installing a WD should actually work since I have no experience with that stuff
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:39 AM   #15
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what would be nice would be for you to post a pic of what you have and for someone with the same X17 post a pic of what they have. Then you not only could compare the pics but show them to the shop also.


Airbags?? What happens if a bag blows or the air leaks out?
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:41 AM   #16
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For your small trailer an Anderson WDH might be a good option too. The brackets are pretty adjustable on those. You can easily lengthen or shorten the chains to move the brackets back and forth if needed.

https://www.andersenhitches.com/Cata...ion-hitch.aspx
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:42 AM   #17
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Had the same issue with my 2014 197. I just got it as close as I could and its been fine and leveled no issue.
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:49 AM   #18
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Couple questions. What year 17Z do you have and what WDH do you have? Flipping the tanks and battery is not difficult to do. But it does take some time and effort. Is our battery immediately behind the tongue jack then the propane tanks, or the other direction? I know that on a number of HTTs Jayco did flip the tanks and battery orientation since 2012.
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:50 AM   #19
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Here's a recent picture of our set up using the Andersen WDH model 3347.
Attached Thumbnails
image.jpg  
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:51 AM   #20
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The more weight you put on the back of your tow vehicle (tongue weight) behind the rear axle the more weight is removed from your front axle. In an extreme case your front axle will come off the ground.
That obviously won't happen with a travel trailer attached but it does remove a significant amount of weight.
Less weight on your steer axle means you have less control of your vehicle. In addition to that 70% or so of your braking force comes from your front wheels. In a panic breaking situation the trailer tongue will be diving and removing more weight from your front axles to the point that they may loose traction.

In normal driving on nice dry roads this is not usually an issue but for wet and slippery conditions it could cause lots of trouble for you and other motorists on the road.

A weight distribution hitch's primary goal is not to level your tow vehicle or trailer it is to restore all or most of the weight lost back to the front axle of the tow vehicle.

Air bags or sway control do nothing for either of those safety issues.
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