westend wrote:
DallasSteve wrote:
Thunder Mountain wrote:
On Amazon a good WDH with anti sway bar runs around $275.
Hitching and unhitching takes very little extra time.
Yes, if you distribute too little weight to your tow vehicle it will be much worse.
Setting up the WDH is pretty simple. You get a tape measure and follow the instructions of how much rise or sag you have at the bumpers. When you think you are close. Take the fully loaded trailer for a spin. You can fine tune the weight distribution by taking up a link or dropping a link on the bar chains. Then, write down somewhere in the truck the setting. Mine says, "Drop three, catch the fourth." This is referring to which link in the chain that I catch.
But, again, I suggest you take a look at your OEM tires. No matter if you inflate to max pressure for towing, those soft sidewalls are a real problem.
Thanks, that was helpful information. I realize there was another question that entered my mind when I was looking at photos of the hitch. It seems like the WDH requires a different connection on the truck - a square metal female connection below the bumper. I'm accustomed to seeing the typical metal ball on the bumper of the truck. Is the square connection something extra that must be added to trucks like say a Ford F-150 or F-250? If so, how much does that add to the cost beyond the approx. $275 you mentioned?
The square "tube" is called a receiver. Most trucks that are set up for towing (AKA Towing Package option) will have a receiver OEM. THere are after market receivers available and a truck/trailer shop will be able to install one for you for < $200.
With the length of trailer and truck listed in the thread title, I'd suggest to buy a WDH with integrated sway control. Equalizer is one such brand. It will be more than $275, if purchased new. Your local Craigslist may list one for sale at a lower price. Make sure you get the correct weight of attachment bars. For the referenced trailer that wold be 1000 lb. bars.
Depending on how you load the trailer and how the truck is equipped, the combination referenced is borderline acceptable. It may be possible to tow the trailer but may not be a good experience.
In truth. Most socalled 1/2 ton trucks would have no problem with a TT that size, as long as the hitch is setup correctly, and they have the right gear, and engine. Correctly adjusted. A F150, or 1500 series towing a TT that size, and weight should have NO sway at any speed even with out sway control. I know mine does.
As one posted said. Throw knowledge at it, and you won't have to throw money at it. The folks that didn't take time to do it right, and went and bought more truck. Would be very surprised how well a properly setup 150 tows a 31' 7500GVWR TT. Truck just works a little harder than it does not towing. But not much. but then they ALL do. No matter how big the truck is.
