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06-12-2019, 08:15 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Sunshine, North Carolina
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 75
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WDH Question
Do we need a WDH for our truck to pull our Escape 21?
Escape 21 ordered. Will tow with a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4WD 5.3 L with the Max towing package. Max GVWR = 7600. Max Trailer Weight = 10,800 lbs. Truck does have the trailer sway control function.
I routinely pull double axle trailers with total weights from 3000 to 8000+ lbs. and have never had any problems. However I have never pulled a RV.
Have read some of the other WDH threads I could find and don't really get a definitive answer for whether we need one or not.
Any and all thoughts and opinions will be greatly appreciated.
Buddy and Suzanne
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06-12-2019, 08:35 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I suggest you try it without a w/d set up and see if it feels and rides level. You can always add one later. As a reference point, when we used one it was mainly for long trips, anything within a day's drive we left it home.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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06-12-2019, 08:37 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: DFW, Texas
Trailer: 2018 21 Sept 7 2018
Posts: 1,073
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I have a 2017 Silverado Z71 5.3 4x4 and I don’t use one. Never have had any sway issues even when semis blow by me
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06-12-2019, 11:01 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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There's no clear answer in other threads because they're not about your truck. Most of the answer is almost certainly in your owner's manual, so I suggest going back to that; you'll need an estimate of the tongue weight of the 21' when loaded (which is in threads specifically about the tongue weight of a 21').
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06-12-2019, 11:15 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,122
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I used one for awhile with our Tacoma TRD Off Road and a Casita 16 because the stock configuration was too 'pitchy', it dolphined on bumps. I then got airbags on the truck, and found I didn't need the WDH anymore, so stopped using it. We pulled the Escape 21 back from Texas to California without a WDH, just the airbags pumped up to level the truck, and it rode just fine but we were running pretty empty the whole way... I since got an F250 longbed diesel 4x4 and haven't used any assistance yet, but indeed if the E21 is running tail heavy with 100 lbs of bicycles on the rear bumper, its just a bit pitchy on the worst bumps, so I'm thinking of airbagging the F250 too. it already has factory overload leaf springs but nothing I've ever put in it has come close to touching down on these
I didn't mind using the WDH to hitch up, what I hated was the hassle of removing it once parked in camp and unhitched, the buggers are heavy.
re: Escape 21' tongue weight, last time I weighed mine it was a too-light 380 lbs with the bikes on the back and a full water tank, empty holding tanks, packed and loaded for a long road trip.
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06-12-2019, 11:18 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,122
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I really should emphasize, my problem is the 100 lbs of bikes. I electrified my wife's bike, and it now weighs about 60 lbs due to the 1000W hub motor plus 860 W*Hr batt I used (ridiculous overkill, this bike is now an e-motorcycle, hah hah). mine weighs maybe 25, plus the bike rack is another 20-30.
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06-13-2019, 06:29 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Sunshine, North Carolina
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
I suggest you try it without a w/d set up and see if it feels and rides level. You can always add one later. As a reference point, when we used one it was mainly for long trips, anything within a day's drive we left it home.
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I am leaning towards trying it without the w/d set up but the trip home from Chilliwack is a pretty long one. Hate to be part way home and decide I need one. That's why I'm asking for opinions
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06-13-2019, 06:31 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Sunshine, North Carolina
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldtimer
I have a 2017 Silverado Z71 5.3 4x4 and I don’t use one. Never have had any sway issues even when semis blow by me
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Thanks Oldtimer. My truck is very similar to yours except mine is rated to pull a little heavier trailer so I am think I will try it without it to start with.
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06-13-2019, 06:38 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Sunshine, North Carolina
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P
There's no clear answer in other threads because they're not about your truck. Most of the answer is almost certainly in your owner's manual, so I suggest going back to that; you'll need an estimate of the tongue weight of the 21' when loaded (which is in threads specifically about the tongue weight of a 21').
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Started with the owners manual. Tongue weight threshold for WDH was 700 lbs I think which I should never be close to. The 21 weight was also under where it recommends WDH. But no substitute for experience. I was hoping to hear from other Chevy truck owners pulling 21s and already have. Thanks
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06-13-2019, 06:41 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbb
I am leaning towards trying it without the w/d set up but the trip home from Chilliwack is a pretty long one. Hate to be part way home and decide I need one. That's why I'm asking for opinions
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you could always carry one with you from home or even stop in Idaho Falls, Id and pick up an Andersen w/d set up at the factory, that should give you enough towing from Chilliwack to give you an answer.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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06-13-2019, 06:45 AM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Sunshine, North Carolina
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz
I really should emphasize, my problem is the 100 lbs of bikes. I electrified my wife's bike, and it now weighs about 60 lbs due to the 1000W hub motor plus 860 W*Hr batt I used (ridiculous overkill, this bike is now an e-motorcycle, hah hah). mine weighs maybe 25, plus the bike rack is another 20-30.
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Thanks for your reply's and for your thread about your trailer coming loose. Thankful you handled it so well. This forum is invaluable to us new RVers trying to learn how to safely have fun with this new adventure.
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06-13-2019, 06:47 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Sunshine, North Carolina
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
you could always carry one with you from home or even stop in Idaho Falls, Id and pick up an Andersen w/d set up at the factory, that should give you enough towing from Chilliwack to give you an answer.
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Stopping at the Anderson factory is an idea. Sounds like you recommend an Anderson?
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06-13-2019, 06:53 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: DFW, Texas
Trailer: 2018 21 Sept 7 2018
Posts: 1,073
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Heya gbb I have the same towing ratings that you have so you should have smooth towing when we picked our 21 up last Sept and on the trip up to and back from the Escape rally, it was smooth towing all the way there and back. We got rained on and even some snow handled beautifully.
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06-13-2019, 06:57 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbb
Stopping at the Anderson factory is an idea. Sounds like you recommend an Anderson?
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It is easier and lighter to use, a bit expensive though. Check with the factory for sales, I stopped there once to exchange brackets and they were very accommodating
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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06-13-2019, 07:00 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: DFW, Texas
Trailer: 2018 21 Sept 7 2018
Posts: 1,073
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One thing I did do to help the ride was add theses to the rear suspension
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