I just wanted to share that when we upgraded our trailer to Arctic Fox 27T from our Terry, we experienced less than desirable "movement". We had 1200-1300lb TW with 1000lb round bars on WDH and noticed some flex in the factory receiver on our 2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD.To solve the problem, we did several upgrades (all ordered from etrailer.com, fair price, fast shipping).1) replaced factory hitch on truck with Torklift SuperHitch Magnum2) replaced shank with torklift adjustable (with dual stinger)3) replaced WDH with Reese Trunnion bar 15000/1500lbInstalled and set it up and had a wonderful towing experience. I have to be careful to remember the trailer is back there it is so smooth now. We have found the sweetspot for our setup is 59mph, gives us the best mpg, is within tire limits and gets us there with less stress.Thanks to this forum for the folks sharing their experiences.

Yep, you did a great job on your hitching system! Receiver flex is a real, often ignored, problem and the reason some can't seem to get the WD dialed in right. Congrats and enjoy the towThanks!Jeremiah

The Magnum is a monster hitch - That's what I have on my Ram 5500. I had the the 17K SuperHitch on my F250 and that was twice the size of the OEM 12.5K.

jerem0621 wrote:Yep, you did a great job on your hitching system! Receiver flex is a real, often ignored, problem and the reason some can't seem to get the WD dialed in right. Congrats and enjoy the towThanks!JeremiahAgree, I knew that when I upgraded the WDH to the proper size that the flex on the receiver would get worse. I had some rust starting on one of the welds on the factory hitch and decided it was likely flexing too much at that location. It could have been just a lousy prep/paint job but no reason to take a chance. We asked ourselves, what do we need to solve the problem and not have to worry about it. I searched for solutions, found a few, but the Superhitch was the only one that did not require drilling in my truck frame.

Sure is substantial looking and sounds interesting.I didn't know that OEM receivers can have excessive movement. Do they have more play in vertical or lateral direction or both? It would be interesting to mount a camcorder under our truck and see what is happening. There is a lot of lateral play between our Reese shank and OEM Ford receiver. I installed a Blue Ox Immobilizer. I've only towed it once at the end of the season on a short trip and it *seems* to be helping a lot but won't know for sure until next season. That Torklift would be a nice upgrade as far as movement goes but at around $1K would be a tough sell with DW. I like that you can you an add the 48" extender with it and have 1200 lbs TW. I can see a use for that ourselves.

Google VAP (vintage airstream podcast) and listen to podcast # 196...it cost .99 or so to buy this podcast but it should be REQUIRED listening. You may have to search the site because this episode was in 2013...It's about an hour long and features Can-Am RV's Andy Thompson. While his tow vehicle combos are controversial there is hardly a better source for real world info on hitches and how to build them. Thanks!Jeremiah

Hitch and WDH upgrade really improved towing experience

Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 04, 2014
Andy also has written some articles:

http://www.canamrv.ca/hitch-hints/

Check out the rest of site to see Jaguars and VW's towing...
jerem0621
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2014
Google VAP (vintage airstream podcast) and listen to podcast # 196...it cost .99 or so to buy this podcast but it should be REQUIRED listening. You may have to search the site because this episode was in 2013...

It's about an hour long and features Can-Am RV's Andy Thompson. While his tow vehicle combos are controversial there is hardly a better source for real world info on hitches and how to build them.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
myredracer
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2014
Sure is substantial looking and sounds interesting.

I didn't know that OEM receivers can have excessive movement. Do they have more play in vertical or lateral direction or both? It would be interesting to mount a camcorder under our truck and see what is happening.

There is a lot of lateral play between our Reese shank and OEM Ford receiver. I installed a Blue Ox Immobilizer. I've only towed it once at the end of the season on a short trip and it *seems* to be helping a lot but won't know for sure until next season. That Torklift would be a nice upgrade as far as movement goes but at around $1K would be a tough sell with DW. I like that you can you an add the 48" extender with it and have 1200 lbs TW. I can see a use for that ourselves.
hawkeye-08
Explorer III
Dec 03, 2014
jerem0621 wrote:
Yep, you did a great job on your hitching system!

Receiver flex is a real, often ignored, problem and the reason some can't seem to get the WD dialed in right.

Congrats and enjoy the tow

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Agree, I knew that when I upgraded the WDH to the proper size that the flex on the receiver would get worse. I had some rust starting on one of the welds on the factory hitch and decided it was likely flexing too much at that location. It could have been just a lousy prep/paint job but no reason to take a chance.

We asked ourselves, what do we need to solve the problem and not have to worry about it. I searched for solutions, found a few, but the Superhitch was the only one that did not require drilling in my truck frame.
Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 02, 2014
The Magnum is a monster hitch - That's what I have on my Ram 5500. I had the the 17K SuperHitch on my F250 and that was twice the size of the OEM 12.5K.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2014
Yep, you did a great job on your hitching system!

Receiver flex is a real, often ignored, problem and the reason some can't seem to get the WD dialed in right.

Congrats and enjoy the tow

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Forum Discussion

Hitch and WDH upgrade really improved towing experience

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Suspension Improvements - Best Order

Improve my suspension

Suspension upgrade

Heating duct airflow improvement

Which improvements to make?