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 the weight distribution but I would still like the anti sway capability of the ball. I've towed short distances without hooking up the chains on my current setup with no ill effects, but I was curious over the long term if it was advisable.

Ask yourself why not use it? You got it so use it. That said, auto level suspension does not tell the truth about weights being distributed it just levels the TV. Without knowing the weights you may have too much weight on the rear tires or uneven weight distrbution, you have to turn off the auto level to see how much back end and front end are not leveled. If your not sure of payload weight on TV bring it to weight station and see the numbers and determine how much distribution is needed.

I'm still confused as to why you think you don't need the WDH function?

As icanon stated above, try the set-up without the self-leveling activated. More than likely, you'll still see rear end squat. Even with the air bags leveling out the tow vehicle, the weight distribution is not being distributed, it all over the rear axle. With the WD, you shouldn't even need any auto level at all. The WD will level, and distribute the weight to the front axle also.If you already have the WD system, then use it as designed. It's safer, better for both tow vehicle and trailer, and you can use the sway as it was intended.

The chains are all part of it. How big is your camper? My Roo 183 requires a WDH on my Ram because it has over 500 pounds of tongue weight.

Without using the chains, you are essentially towing just like a regular drawbar with a ball. There will be no anti sway effect at all if the chains are not connected. You may not need to tension them much but there must be enough to take all the slack out of them for the anti sway to work.Barney

Andersen WDH without chains | Good Sam Community

mkirsch
Nomad II
Feb 09, 2016
Rangerman40 wrote:
I already own it for my current set up.....

Then set it up and use it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It will ride better, and it will handle better.

The new RAM is a 1500 right? Factory receiver is limited to 500lbs of tongue weight before you need a WD hitch. That is a RECEIVER limit, not a truck limit.

If your trailer's tongue is over 500lbs, you need the WD hitch even if your truck has auto-level.
Rangerman40
Explorer
Feb 10, 2016
mkirsch wrote:
Rangerman40 wrote:
I already own it for my current set up.....

Then set it up and use it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It will ride better, and it will handle better.

The new RAM is a 1500 right? Factory receiver is limited to 500lbs of tongue weight before you need a WD hitch. That is a RECEIVER limit, not a truck limit.

If your trailer's tongue is over 500lbs, you need the WD hitch even if your truck has auto-level.

3500...... Hence the question. The class V hitch is good for 1800lb tongue weight which my trailer is nowhere near. I just want some sway control and don't need the weight distribution which is why I was wondering if I could get away without the chains. I already have the Anderson so I will continue to use it one way or another until I get a 5ver in a couple years.

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Andersen WDH without chains

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