Weight distribution bar rating 800lbs

[bgarv29BHS]

Looking for some opinions. I have a 2011 29bhs G2 that I tow with a 2008 QC hemi with a tow package. I got what I expected to be a good weight distribution hitch setup. It is a trunnioun style Reese dual cam sway control package with 800# bars. I can tow the trailer and feel safe enough but I think I expected more. Trips of 4 hours or less from MA to NH or ME I seem to fight crosswinds a lot. I tried going up one link from where the dealer set me up and it made my cornering choppy like I am fighting the grooves on the bar and dual cam. My tongue weight is in the 750# range dry. I work hard to keep the truck light and load a lot into the maxi store door. Is the 800# bar the problem since I might be over that weight? Was I expecting too much from this setup? I ask another Rv store and they recommended the 800# bar as well vs the other option which I believe is 1200#. Will airbags or any other mods besides tire help? I just dropped about $1000 on new tire so I will deal with the sway if that is the recommended fix. Thanks in advance for your input!

[jeeperx2]

Looking at your set up "technically" your set? IMO

My set up compares to yours and I wonder the same "Did I expect to much from this Hitch" It seems that I get a lot of sway? (pulling a Eagle 324bhds with 07 GMC 2500HD,Reese dual cam 1200#) how do you define a lot of sway.......? a little sway-you can feel it. Going around a semi sway or comparable-annoying?? & you can def. feel it! A lot of sway-uncomfortable! makes you slow way down kind of sway!

I Liked the friction sway I had on my old 19h! Granted not near the trailer but it pulled great! lol.

[Derek700]

My dry hitch weight is 795 and my dealer sold me 1200lb bars. i had very little sway(more of an occasional wiggle) but am going to add the dual cams to my hitch to hopefully take it all away. www.etrailer.com has quite a bit of info on the hitch ratings. I believe the 800 is the max rating of those bars, I am no expert though.

[bgarv29BHS]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I would say that description of my sway would be compared to being passed by a semi or annoying. If I go over 65 while towing I can usually tell without looking at the speedometer. I was going to call Reese customer service and give them my specs and se what they say. If they say the dealer was wrong I will have to call them and see what they are willing to do.

[Crabman]

If you are concerned that your bars may not be heavy enough, you should go to a scale and get the loaded tongue weight which may surprise you. It will be much heavier then the dry tongue weight published by Jayco. Also loading the back of the trailer with too much weight could contribute to sway if your trailer then becomes tongue light.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by bgarv29BHS

snip.......Is the 800# bar the problem since I might be over that weight? Was I expecting too much from this setup? I ask another Rv store and they recommended the 800# bar as well vs the other option which I believe is 1200#......snip

If you plan to tow an empty TT, the 800lb rated bars are fine, but who tows an empty TT!?! That's the problem with to many RV dealers, they size WDH's based on "dry" or "unloaded" weights.

The approximate "ship weight" of the 29BHS is 5,725lbs (UVW 5,475lbs), add dealer items, battery, hitch, etc., figure off the dealer lot at 5,850lbs. Loaded for camping add a "very, very conservative" 600lbs (no fluids), so we are at 6,450lbs loaded (assumed). The GVWR of the 29BHS is 7,700lbs.

Recommended loaded tongue weight on a 30ft TT should be 13% to 15% of the loaded TT weight. Based on our assumed 6,450lbs this would be a loaded tongue weight of 838lbs to 967lbs. Reese dropped the 1,000lb rated bars, so the 1,200lb rated bars would be a better choice.

Lets say your loaded TT weight was 6,850lbs (realistic) the loaded tongue weight range would be 890lbs to 1,027lbs.

When the Reese HP Dual Cam is sized correctly to the loaded weights in play and adjusted correctly, IMO it will do a great job.

Also, the 20" rims on your TV may contribute to handling issues. The 20 inchers tend to have a low ply sidewall thus may do a little wondering with a 30ft TT in tow, especially at higher speeds.


Just thinking out loud here

Bob