WDH Cons

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

Most of the time you don't need the anti-sway but for the rare times that you do - you will thank God it's there. A sudden need to swerve, the trailer acts like it wants to swap places with the truck...

If your rig has that problem, I think that it needs to be fixed with better trailer loading, not a friction device.

And how about we leave religion out of trailer towing discussions.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

There is no Escape for which a higher than "600 pound" WDH is appropriate.

OK Corral at noon?
Can I come and watch?

[goalie39]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

If your rig has that problem, I think that it needs to be fixed with better trailer loading, not a friction device.

And how about we leave religion out of trailer towing discussions.

And if you find yourself needing a seat belt to keep from getting ejected when you crash into a tree, you should really fix the problem with better tree avoidance driving skills, not a body retention device.


Seriously, if you have constant sway, you should fix the issue at the root cause -- but nothing wrong with extra anti-sway safety equipment.

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

The WDH is not for fixing problems with excessive load in the truck box. If you loaded up the box with half a ton of cargo, would you tow an empty trailer (or a bare trailer chassis) with a stiff WDH cranked up to pry up the back of the truck to compensate for the load in the truck?

There is no Escape for which a higher than "600 pound" WDH is appropriate.

I read somewhere here a post that some random hitch weights were taken at a rally somewhere. 700lb HW not uncommon. With Equal-I-Zer , 600/6000, the 600 is the max number, not starting.

My trailer TW (TW includes Hitch weight + Anything behind the truck rear axle) determines my WDH. Empty chassis?, I leave the WDH in the shop.

[cpaharley2008]

Go to post #398 here for updated list Trailer Weights in the Real World - Page 29 - Fiberglass RV

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by 75thRanger

I read somewhere here a post that some random hitch weights were taken at a rally somewhere. 700lb HW not uncommon. With Equal-I-Zer , 600/6000, the 600 is the max number, not starting.

My trailer TW (TW includes Hitch weight + Anything behind the truck rear axle) determines my WDH. Empty chassis?, I leave the WDH in the shop.

I mentioned Hitch Weight a couple of times above. Should have been Tongue Weights.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Tongue Weight for the purpose of setting the WDH spring tension is strictly the TRAILER tongue weight thats sitting on top of the hitch ball. All that other stuff goes on your rear axle, you don NOT want to transfer its weight onto your trailer frame.

When you setup a WDH, you measure the height of the hitch or rear bumper, drop the trailer on the ball, measure it again, and adjust the WDH spring bars so that its around 1/2" to 1" of droop. you absolutely do NOT want the WDH to be LIFTING the rear of the truck higher than it was without the trailer.

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

Tongue Weight for the purpose of setting the WDH spring tension is strictly the TRAILER tongue weight thats sitting on top of the hitch ball. All that other stuff goes on your rear axle, you don NOT want to transfer its weight onto your trailer frame.

When you setup a WDH, you measure the height of the hitch or rear bumper, drop the trailer on the ball, measure it again, and adjust the WDH spring bars so that its around 1/2" to 1" of droop. you absolutely do NOT want the WDH to be LIFTING the rear of the truck higher than it was without the trailer.

I like my way

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by 75thRanger

I like my way

What you say makes sense. Don't' confuse me. No challenge there.

If I had a 600/6000 I would try it to see the difference but I ain't got one. My ride with the 1000/10000 is perfect for me.

I did try one of our 1400/14000 used for equipment haulers on my 21 just for kicks. Not on a public road. I won't do that again!

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by 75thRanger

I read somewhere here a post that some random hitch weights were taken at a rally somewhere. 700lb HW not uncommon. With Equal-I-Zer , 600/6000, the 600 is the max number, not starting.

I would rather have a WDH adjusted to the maximum end of it's range than one which is almost twice as stiff as it needs to be... but I do acknowledge that if your tongue weight is excessive, a massive WDH might be suitable to go with it.

Originally Posted by 75thRanger

My trailer TW (TW includes Hitch weight + Anything behind the truck rear axle) determines my WDH

But why? The WDH is not for propping up the rear suspension of a truck which is carrying a load in the box. The truck's springs handle that, with air bags or rubber blocks or extra leaves as add-ons if you want it stiffer. Transferring load to a trailer suspension that doesn't even have shock absorbers and is running on smaller tires than the truck makes no sense to me.

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I would rather have a WDH adjusted to the maximum end of it's range than one which is almost twice as stiff as it needs to be... but I do acknowledge that if your tongue weight is excessive, a massive WDH might be suitable to go with it.


But why? The WDH is not for propping up the rear suspension of a truck which is carrying a load in the box. The truck's springs handle that, with air bags or rubber blocks or extra leaves as add-ons if you want it stiffer. Transferring load to a trailer suspension that doesn't even have shock absorbers and is running on smaller tires than the truck makes no sense to me.

The Equal-I-Zer Web Site has a 'Hitch Size Calculator'

My entries:

Gross Trailer Wright 4500
Tongue Weight 600
Cargo(After Axle) 200

These numbers are conservative for me.

The calculator comes up with the 1000/10000

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by 75thRanger

The Equal-I-Zer Web Site has a 'Hitch Size Calculator'

My entries:

Gross Trailer Wright 4500
Tongue Weight 600
Cargo(After Axle) 200

These numbers are conservative for me.

The calculator comes up with the 1000/10000

Are you having fun yet, Charles? There's no point in debating stuff on the forum - everyone has their opinion and they're not going to change. By the way, I agree with you on the WDH for what it's worth.

Just remember, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink!

Oh, 30 more days till Pineknot - look forward to meeting with you, first drink's on me!

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

There's no point in debating stuff on the forum

I disagree.

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I disagree.

My point exactly!

[John in Santa Cruz]

Per my measurements, the tongue weight of my fully loaded E21 is in the 400-450 lb range, that's with full water and propane tanks, and as much stuff stored under the front bed as I can put there.* the 400 lb number is with a rear bike rack and 2 hefty bikes.* *ok, just weighed it, loaded for a week long dry camping run, food, clothes, full tank of water, no bikes, its 200kg, which is 440 lbs.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

There's no point in debating stuff on the forum - everyone has their opinion and they're not going to change.

What would we do for entertainment?

Ron

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

Are you having fun yet, Charles? There's no point in debating stuff on the forum - everyone has their opinion and they're not going to change. By the way, I agree with you on the WDH for what it's worth.

Just remember, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink!

Oh, 30 more days till Pineknot - look forward to meeting with you, first drink's on me!

Thanks! I'm too stubborn to know better so I'll go with the Equal-I-Zer folks

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

Per my measurements, the tongue weight of my fully loaded E21 is in the 400-450 lb range, that's with full water and propane tanks, and as much stuff stored under the front bed as I can put there.* the 400 lb number is with a rear bike rack and 2 hefty bikes.* *ok, just weighed it, loaded for a week long dry camping run, food, clothes, full tank of water, no bikes, its 200kg, which is 440 lbs.

My 2014 E21 loaded for 2 weeks at Osoyoos was at 500# on tongue and 3800# over axles. We did not have anything on the rear.

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I disagree.

My mind is made up. Don't try to persuade me with the facts.

[tdf-texas]

I love you guys! It makes for interesting reading while I wait for the water to recede around here enough to be able to travel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXYsO8mvua0

we have a number of vehicles available for sale - low mileage, slightly wet interiors.