WDH Spring Bars

RickM · 07-11-2010, 11:03 PM

Just wondering, is it necessary to undo the WHD spring bars for a one night stay? My thinking is that there is no harm to the TV or Escape in leaving the bars attached, but would like advice of fellow Escapees. Or if Shakespeare had an Escape, "to spring or not to spring, that is the question."

PGDriver · 07-11-2010, 11:15 PM

I have always left mine hooked up, sometimes for
days at a time with no harm that I can see.

gbaglo · 07-11-2010, 11:20 PM

If it were an issue, I'd be worried about driving the vehicle for six hours to the campsite, with all the movement that entails. I'd be more concerned about wearing my arm out cranking the hitch up and down to take the bars off.
But, seriously, I think the only concern is that the trailer is level so your fridge runs properly. If you can't get it level while hitched, then you would want to unhitch.

baglo

majaross · 07-12-2010, 12:24 AM

There's also the safety concern about staying hitched. If, Heaven forbid, the trailer should catch fire during the night, it would be almost a certainty that it would take the tow vehicle with it. If you're unhitched, it's the work of seconds to get the two vehicles some distance apart from one another. I've speculated that if one has a fire break out while stopped and hitched up, it would be possible to pop out the pin that holds ball mount in the receiver, and just drive away from the trailer without even jacking up the tongue, leaving the tongue to fall. Of course, the safety chains would need to be undone, as well, and they can be 30 seconds each to undo if the quick-links are stubborn. IMHO, it's better always to unhitch.

escape artist · 07-12-2010, 01:23 AM

Hi: All...Fire Hazzard not withstanding... I think a one night stand is ok to stay hitched!!! It might just be better to be able to remove thyself from other trailers in a cramped fire situation.
We have quite often stayed hitched o'er nite.
"To be hitched or not to be hitched"... That is thy question

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

ronstew · 07-12-2010, 12:10 PM

If you are resting at a WalMart, you are not permitted to unhitch.

Because I am absent-minded, I try to keep my trailer either fully hitched or fully unhitched. This prevents unfortunate incidents.

Hitch components do fail, but I cannot imagine a situation in which leaving the WDH bars under tension while the rig is motionless causing any damage.

JeffZ · 07-12-2010, 02:58 PM

If we're just staying one night and heading out early in the morning, we leave everything hitched up. I do lower the jack to take some weight off the back of the truck though. I'm not sure why, it just kind-of makes sense to me..

gbaglo · 07-12-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majaross

There's also the safety concern about staying hitched. If, Heaven forbid, the trailer should catch fire during the night, it would be almost a certainty that it would take the tow vehicle with it. If you're unhitched, it's the work of seconds to get the two vehicles some distance apart from one another. I've speculated that if one has a fire break out while stopped and hitched up, it would be possible to pop out the pin that holds ball mount in the receiver, and just drive away from the trailer without even jacking up the tongue, leaving the tongue to fall. Of course, the safety chains would need to be undone, as well, and they can be 30 seconds each to undo if the quick-links are stubborn. IMHO, it's better always to unhitch.

I was woken at 2 a.m. at Kettle Falls Provincial Park. Rangers were going site to site and telling us to get out, on up to the highway. A lightening strike had started a forest fire in the campground. I grabbed essentials, a pillow, blanket and a case of beer and headed out with the kid and her friend. The tent trailer remained. We passed sites with campers frantically trying to hitch up their fifth wheels and 30-foot trailers in the dark and fog of sleep.

My point is, that maybe the fire won't be in the trailer or in the tow, and you might be better off to stay hitched so you can get them both out. In any event, I would choose to get out, with or without vehicles...not to try to hitch or unhitch anything. That's what insurance is for.

baglo

Hokie Escape · 07-12-2010, 05:52 PM

As long as you can get your camper level, leave it hitched (if you're gonna be transient). As Glenn says, there's probably many more instances where the reason to get out quick is external, not internal. I put down my jacks to level and stabalize, but that's all. Makes quick work to leave the next AM.

Jim Bennett · 07-12-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffZ

If we're just staying one night and heading out early in the morning, we leave everything hitched up. I do lower the jack to take some weight off the back of the truck though. I'm not sure why, it just kind-of makes sense to me..

But your bed is in the back!!!
Any activity (like sleeping

) would only lessen the traveling weight on the hitch.

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