Looking for a wd and sway combo but do not know how large to go...help please!

[Tbeuler]

Hey everyone I just purchased my first travel trailer and it is a 2012 Jayco Jayflight BH. It has a tongue weight of 580 and I was wondering how to judge how large of a weight distributor to buy any help would be awesome!! Thanks

[clubhouse]

As mentioned I have the same TT. Orignally wanted the Equal-i-zer hitch but my dealer was a Husky shop and they talked me into the Husky Centerline and it was included as part TT purchase. Happy they did, it has worked great for us across 3 different TV, 04 Tahoe 04 Silverado and now the 07 Silverado Duramax, and ~5000 miles . Our trunion bars are 800-1200 and my actaul loaded TW is 750.

[THABULL]

I've used several different WD systems and the Equalizer is by far the best I have used. I have the 1200/12,000lb system and have used it all the way from a light 23ft TT to the 38ft TT we have now.

[Raugustin]

I have just received the Andersen hitch. Check it out, it's somewhat revolutionary but has gotten some fantastic reviews by those that have used it. Very easy to use/install and a lot cheaper than your typical trunnion type WD hitch and it has a great sway control system. It's will handle up to a 14000 lbs trailer.

Cheers,
Ron

Originally Posted by THABULL

I've used several different WD systems and the Equalizer is by far the best I have used. I have the 1200/12,000lb system and have used it all the way from a light 23ft TT to the 38ft TT we have now.

[Rustic Eagle]

Tbeuler,

Based on the published weight specifications of a 1012 Jay Flight 26BH (7,500lb GVWR) and some assumed "loaded" weights, IMO a WDH rated at 1,000lbs minimum would be my choice. Ideally you want your "loaded" TT tongue weight to be 13% to 15% of the TT's "loaded" weight.

Focus on potential "loaded" TT weights when sizing a WDH.

Bob

[TheRevJosh]

I have a 2012 26BH and my loaded, ready to camp tongue weight is 850#. I use a Reese Dual Cam setup with 1200# bars and, once setup correctly, it tows great.

[clubhouse]

Originally Posted by TheRevJosh

I have a 2012 26BH and my loaded, ready to camp tongue weight is 850#. I use a Reese Dual Cam setup with 1200# bars and, once setup correctly, it tows great.

Wow 850lbs, you must really have maximized the front pass though storage :-)

[Rustic Eagle]

Actually an 850lb loaded tongue weight for a 26BH is pretty realistic.

Assuming a loaded 26BH weight of 6,500lbs (still 1,000lbs under it's GVWR), an 850lb loaded tongue weight would be considered ideal (13% of 6,500lbs = 845lbs). I wouldn't want anything less than 13% with a 29ft TT.

Bob

[clubhouse]

Guess we just need to pack a little heavier :-) Or rather, maybe I am due to another trip to scale. I haven't been in year or so, maybe we have added weight. I'll have to add it to the spring to do list.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by clubhouse

snip..... I haven't been in year or so, maybe we have added weight....snip

Excellent point, I know that over the years I tend to add goodies to my TT, not remove them

Helpful CAT Scale info: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...igh-Your-tt-tv

Bob

[Tbeuler]

Thanks everyone for your quick responses its great to know there are people willing to help!!

[Tbeuler]

What is your TT ready to camp tongue weight?

[Rustic Eagle]

Although not a good comparison to a Jay Flight 26BH, my 2005 Eagle 278FBS has loaded tongue weight of 1,250lbs, so in my case I have a 1,500lb rated Reese HP Dual Cam WDH (loaded TT weight is 8,400lbs).

Bob

[TheRevJosh]

Originally Posted by TheRevJosh

I have a 2012 26BH and my loaded, ready to camp tongue weight is 850#. I use a Reese Dual Cam setup with 1200# bars and, once setup correctly, it tows great.

I'm sorry, i just checked a scale ticket and the tongue weight was 820#, not 850#. My apologies.

Originally Posted by clubhouse

Wow 850lbs, you must really have maximized the front pass though storage :-)

I do! If you're going to give me storage, I'm going to use it.

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Actually an 850lb loaded tongue weight for a 26BH is pretty realistic.

Assuming a loaded 26BH weight of 6,500lbs (still 1,000lbs under it's GVWR), an 850lb loaded tongue weight would be considered ideal (13% of 6,500lbs = 845lbs). I wouldn't want anything less than 13% with a 29ft TT.

Bob

The total weight of the camper is 5600#, so tongue weigh is about 14.5%. After the miserable trip I had bringing it home unloaded from the dealer, I feel more comfortable with it closer to 15% than 13%

[Jagiven]

Congratulations on your new 2012 trailer. So being it is so new, you should find a sticker on the tongue, most likely on the curbside. This sticker will recommend not exceeding a particular WD hitch rating. Personally I would purchase the largest size they recommend. This will do two things for you; 1) if you decide to procure a larger TT in the future you most likely can continue using your existing WD setup. 2) you do not have to crank up your tongue as far to (un) hook.

As for the Andersen WD shown in an above response. I really do not like bad mouthing any one or other products. I have never seen one in person, just pictures. But I really question the structural integrity of the bars. The bars have a welded chain look. Where every link joins another link there is a strong potential for a concentrated load (aka failure point). That could result in a high stress concentration point(s) were the bar could catastrophically fail. I am sure they are structurally fine as long as they are in excellent condition. I would be concerned if any damage would occur do to an accident, drove over one (bent it), used it as a pry bar, got nicked in the wrong spot, ect. I am sure I am over reacting, but as mechanical engineer, I don’t think I would want to risk it, when there are much stronger systems readily available. Just my 2cents.

[Jagiven]

I found a

YouTube

video demonstration the Anderson Hitch in a different post. As stated above I was very concerned about the chains, as I thought they were not chains but forged bars made to look like chains. Now that I have seen the video demonstration, I feel a lot better about this product being on the road.

[E&J push'n wind]

Check out the Hensley Arrow product. http://hensleymfg.com/?gclid=COavnZbT-rQCFeiPPAodKnQABA