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Old 11-07-2015, 07:40 PM   #1
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What to bring WDH

We ordered the pro series WDH and having no experience towing with one of these, what do we to bring when we pickup. Do we need a draw bar and or ball or does the Pro series have everything needed and they just set it up for your truck?
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Old 11-07-2015, 08:04 PM   #2
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You just need a Class III hitch receiver. ETI will set it up.
Once that's done, you might want to write down somewhere, the number of links left hanging.
I keep asking myself, "do I hook on the third link? or do I leave three links hanging?" I'm quite sure I hook on the third and have two links hanging, but wish I had marked the link or written it down in my log.
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Old 11-07-2015, 08:17 PM   #3
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You just need a Class III hitch receiver. ETI will set it up.
Once that's done, you might want to write down somewhere, the number of links left hanging.
I keep asking myself, "do I hook on the third link? or do I leave three links hanging?" I'm quite sure I hook on the third and have two links hanging, but wish I had marked the link or written it down in my log.
I paint mine periodically with cheap nail polish from the dollar store. That way there is one less thing for my brain to have to think about.
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Old 11-07-2015, 08:23 PM   #4
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Our WDH came from ETI but we did not get it there. We set ours up according to directions and came up with a different number of links than the last owners. Anyone getting one might want to ask how they are arriving at the number of links left loose. And also make sure you know that number. You can, however, always follow the directions and see what you get.
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Old 11-07-2015, 08:42 PM   #5
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Reace measured from the underside of the hitch to a board on the ground. Then lowered the trailer on to the ball. Measured again and the hitch had dropped 2 inches.
Once set up, with the chains hooked on #3 link, the measure from the board to the underside of the hitch was the same as the first measure ( no trailer load ).
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Old 11-07-2015, 08:43 PM   #6
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Even though I've only ever seen a few
Surf boards, I do remember when they used to say Hanging Ten. I've adapted that to our hitch when I am talking to myself hitching up.
I say "'and next, hanging four" and then go onto the breakaway cable, the chains, and the light cord. Works for me
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Old 11-07-2015, 09:13 PM   #7
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You need to have a trailer brake installed. ETI will keep you updated as your date gets closer about what is required on your part. I installed my trailer brake, mine was plug and play.
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Old 11-07-2015, 09:33 PM   #8
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Thanks all, good information. Our Nissan has factory tow package and brake controller, been towing glass for some time, but have never used a WDH. Sounds like ETI will get everything setup with the WDH on the truck.
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Old 11-07-2015, 09:34 PM   #9
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As others have said, ETI does it all. Dennis installed the brackets on the trailer tongue, took some measurements, including from the top of the front wheel well on the truck. Then he attached the chains, two links hanging and re-measured the distance from the top of the wheel well to the ground. The truck was level, we've done many thousands of miles since, hands off and no further adjustments have been required.

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Old 11-07-2015, 09:44 PM   #10
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Thanks all, good information. Our Nissan has factory tow package and brake controller, been towing glass for some time, but have never used a WDH. Sounds like ETI will get everything setup with the WDH on the truck.
I did bring a locking hitch pin, not required.
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Old 11-07-2015, 09:49 PM   #11
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Good suggestion Gringo, I'll make sure the hitch lock and locking pin are in my tow bucket.
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Old 11-07-2015, 11:06 PM   #12
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Good to remember; one new owner had their Andersen stinger stolen within a few days of pickup as their locking hitch pin wasn't installed at pick-up.
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Old 11-08-2015, 09:16 AM   #13
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If you need to purchase locking pins, be aware that they come in difference lengths and shaft diameters. A standard locking coupler pin will work fine on your escape but you will need to measure the outside width on your receiver on the tow vehicle and the diameter so you get the maximum shaft diameter available that will fit the hole and to make sure the shaft length is adequate. I got mine from E Trailer as well as my coupler lock that goes up inside the coupler. I get my belts and suspenders at the farm store.
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Old 11-08-2015, 09:57 AM   #14
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BOLT makes a nice line of locks that use the OEM ignition key of several vehicle makes. Saves from having to carry even more keys.

Only disadvantage I have found thus far is having to turn off my tow vehicle when hitching up to lock the hitch coupler as the key is required to lock and unlock that lock.

One-Key Lock Technology - Learns YOUR key the first time you use them — BOLT Locks by Strattec
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Old 11-08-2015, 10:12 AM   #15
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I get my belts and suspenders at the farm store.
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Are you a Fleet Farm or a Farm and Fleet guy?
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Old 11-08-2015, 11:27 AM   #16
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Blaine's Farm and Fleet, Theisen's or any of a number of Amish stores both north and south of us. Mills does not have any stores close by.
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Old 11-08-2015, 11:59 AM   #17
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As others have said, ETI does it all. Dennis installed the brackets on the trailer tongue, took some measurements, including from the top of the front wheel well on the truck. Then he attached the chains, two links hanging and re-measured the distance from the top of the wheel well to the ground. The truck was level, we've done many thousands of miles since, hands off and no further adjustments have been required.

Ron
I'm clueless about all this stuff, so please bear with me. Is this something that will change between different loads in the towing vehicle?

Example - I've loaded up the truck with stuff for a bazaar I want to vend at. It's lots heavier than normal - by how much I don't know as I've never weighed my FJ loaded for a show vs unloaded. (Heck, I've never weighed it in either situation!) Will the hitch be adjusted differently in each situation?

And does it depend on how much stuff you have in your trailer as well? I imagine when it's set up at ETI your trailer hasn't been loaded up with your food, bedding, clothes and other stuff.

AND, most importantly (for me, that is), how easy is it to hook up these WDHs? I don't have a lot of strength and I've been told they can be a bitch to hook up in that regard. Are any brands easier than others? The person that told me this had last used one many years ago so I'm hoping maybe they're easier to use nowadays. I'd be using the trailer quite a bit by myself, so I really need to be able to hitch it up myself.

Thanks!
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Old 11-08-2015, 12:25 PM   #18
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I'm clueless about all this stuff, so please bear with me. Is this something that will change between different loads in the towing vehicle?

Example - I've loaded up the truck with stuff for a bazaar I want to vend at. It's lots heavier than normal - by how much I don't know as I've never weighed my FJ loaded for a show vs unloaded. (Heck, I've never weighed it in either situation!) Will the hitch be adjusted differently in each situation?

And does it depend on how much stuff you have in your trailer as well? I imagine when it's set up at ETI your trailer hasn't been loaded up with your food, bedding, clothes and other stuff.

AND, most importantly (for me, that is), how easy is it to hook up these WDHs? I don't have a lot of strength and I've been told they can be a bitch to hook up in that regard. Are any brands easier than others? The person that told me this had last used one many years ago so I'm hoping maybe they're easier to use nowadays. I'd be using the trailer quite a bit by myself, so I really need to be able to hitch it up myself.

Thanks!
I have never changed the arrangement (pre-load) that Reace installed for me and my Escape looks level, and the link he attached to the hook for me I've painted with bright nail polish.
I would heartily recommend an electric jack. The bars are a bit heavy but not unmanageable. (I have never weighed them, but I am sure someone knows how much they weigh.) I would recommend also a curved lever bar (or whatever it is called) as it makes it much easier to hook up the chains to the trailer. Also remember the higher the trailer front is, the easier it is to lift the bars (with the chains attached to the "hook"), as it lessens the tension, so I've been told.
Also, it is helpful to: 1. Write down the sequence. 2. When un-hooking the trailer all the steps in reverse. After a bit, it will become much easier. Hope this helps.
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Old 11-08-2015, 12:43 PM   #19
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When Reace attached and adjusted our WDH he asked it the truck was loaded as it normally would be on trips. It was, so he went with that as our "base" adjustment. So I recommend showing up at ETI with your tow loaded similarly to how it will usually be when you are towing. It is not hard to do the hookup after you get used to it. As Sandra said, having the front of the trailer raised in the jack after hooking up the ball, makes it even easier to raise the bars into place. Whoever does the hookup at ETI will walk you through it all. Seems like a lot to remember the first time thru, but it soon becomes quite simple.
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Old 11-08-2015, 01:01 PM   #20
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I don't have a lot of strength and I've been told they can be a bitch to hook up in that regard.
Thanks!
I've seen people hooking up who unfortunately didn't know about raising the trailer tongue. Brutal and the language Raise the tongue and you don't even need to use the bar. I use my fingers.

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