Andersen WDH without chains
Can you use the hitch by itself as an anti sway device if the weight distribution is not needed? I'm looking at a Ram with auto level rear air suspension and my camper is fairly small so I won't need ...
Forum Discussion
I also have a RAM 1500 with the auto-leveling suspension, a fairly small trailer (3750 GVWR) and am using the Andersen both for weight distribution and sway control. One of the things I like about the Andersen is that it is really easy to control the amount of weight distribution needed by simply tightening or loosening the chains. But in order to fine tune it, especially with the auto-leveling suspension you do need to hit the scales.
What I found with my set up is that with 500lbs of tongue weight it pulled about 200lbs off the front axle. With the default amount of compression on the bushings (per my manual this was 1/4" compression) it actually returned 280lbs to the front axle. So I ended up needing less tension on the chains than the default. The scale confirmed for me just how tight I needed to set the chains which I measure as compression on the red bushing. As others have indicated you do need a minimum amount of tension on the chains in order for the sway control to be effective.
Also, in addition to disabling the suspension when hitching up I would recommend that you measure the distance between the ground and the top of the coupler when the trailer is level. Then adjust the top of the ball to be slightly below that. This is contrary to what the install guide states, which is to set the ball 1.5-2" higher than level, but is appropriate with the auto-leveling suspension because once activated it will lift itself up to the normal ride height. If you set the ball higher to begin with now your trailer will be slightly nose high which can lead to instability and a poor towing experience.
What I found with my set up is that with 500lbs of tongue weight it pulled about 200lbs off the front axle. With the default amount of compression on the bushings (per my manual this was 1/4" compression) it actually returned 280lbs to the front axle. So I ended up needing less tension on the chains than the default. The scale confirmed for me just how tight I needed to set the chains which I measure as compression on the red bushing. As others have indicated you do need a minimum amount of tension on the chains in order for the sway control to be effective.
Also, in addition to disabling the suspension when hitching up I would recommend that you measure the distance between the ground and the top of the coupler when the trailer is level. Then adjust the top of the ball to be slightly below that. This is contrary to what the install guide states, which is to set the ball 1.5-2" higher than level, but is appropriate with the auto-leveling suspension because once activated it will lift itself up to the normal ride height. If you set the ball higher to begin with now your trailer will be slightly nose high which can lead to instability and a poor towing experience.
