Hi,My family upgraded from a popup to a travel trailer and I was hoping to get some advice on towing. We bought a 2007 Dutchmen Freedom Spirit FS180. It is 23 ft. total and weighs 4250 lbs. Our tow vehicle is a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X. It has 5.7L Hemi with the tow package. It's rated: 7400 max towing, 1350 max payload. Brake controller installed.My question is, do we need a weight distribution hitch? Do we need a sway bar? One or both? I already have a swaybar from the popup but would have to buy the weight distribution. The guys in the garage at the dealer didn't think I needed either even though they had some to sell. I'd like a second opinion.Thanks!

Yes, you need a weight distribution hitch! Your tongue weight fully loaded will be well over 500 lbs and you will be taking a lot of weight off your front tires. I also believe that 500 is max weight carrying on the JGC. I would get one with built in sway control. I use the Reese Dual Cam Straightline. I am considering a Equal-i-zer 4P for my next rig. Both are highly recommended. I think the Equal-i-zer is easier to setup.

Hook it up and see what happens to the front/back ends of the truck. If it doesn't vary more than 1/2 inch from the norm you should not need a WDH. If you do need one I'd get one with weight distributing and sway control such as the Equal-i-zer.

Nhgader wrote:Hi,My question is, do we need a weight distribution hitch? Do we need a sway bar? One or both? Thanks!Both.WD because you may be close or over the rating of you hitch receiver when your trailer is trip ready loaded. (tongue weight)

Tow rating aside, a WDH is a good idea with a tow rig that short. The equal-i-zer is a great setup. The 600/6,000 will work, but so would the 1,000/10,000. I recommend the 10K version and an 18" shank. The 18" shank will give you more room to turn and open the rear door of the Jeep. It does add a little wind resistance, but I find that cost worth the gain.

I think the best hitch for your set up, would be an Andersen WD hitch.It is clean, quiet, built in sway control, and lite weight. Only weighs 60 lbs, where other WD hitches (with sway control) could take 100+.

Wight distribution hitch? Sway bar? | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

campigloo
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
Get the proper hitch with sway control of some type. Not only will it be much safer, but driving it will be much more pleasurable.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
I towed an 18 foot Dutchmen Sport TT with a Suburban and then a 31 foot Springdale TT with a 3500 dually and used WD and a sway bar on both set-ups. Overkill? Probably, but why take chances and skimp on safety? Your family is riding in that vehicle! Why take any chances? I promise you, if you purchase a WD and Sway system and tow with it, then take it off and tow 1 mile, you'll be scrambling to put it back on!
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
eTrailer is awesome. I buy all my hitch stuff there because of the great customer service. Price isn't always anythjng.

While you are looking, here are the mirrors I use and my review.

http://www.etrailer.com/product.aspx?pc=11650&pg=Mirrors&manuf=CIPA#prod-acc-onlyreviews
jfkmk
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
e-trailer is a good source for I advice regarding a particular hitch as well. You can call or email them and they're very helpful. Their prices seem to be OK too. Once you settle on a hitch, check out Amazons prices.
Nhgader
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
Thanks for all of the advice. It sounds like we would have a better tow experience with the WDH and sway control. i looked at the Equalizer 10k hitch online at eTrailer.
AH64ID
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
I have read many reviews where the Anderson doesn't transfer much weight to the TV, I am not sure that would be good in this application.
handye9
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2014
I think the best hitch for your set up, would be an Andersen WD hitch.

It is clean, quiet, built in sway control, and lite weight. Only weighs 60 lbs, where other WD hitches (with sway control) could take 100+.
AH64ID
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
Tow rating aside, a WDH is a good idea with a tow rig that short.

The equal-i-zer is a great setup. The 600/6,000 will work, but so would the 1,000/10,000.

I recommend the 10K version and an 18" shank. The 18" shank will give you more room to turn and open the rear door of the Jeep. It does add a little wind resistance, but I find that cost worth the gain.
downtheroad
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
Nhgader wrote:
Hi,
My question is, do we need a weight distribution hitch? Do we need a sway bar? One or both?
Thanks!

Both.
WD because you may be close or over the rating of you hitch receiver when your trailer is trip ready loaded. (tongue weight)
Dick_B
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
Hook it up and see what happens to the front/back ends of the truck. If it doesn't vary more than 1/2 inch from the norm you should not need a WDH. If you do need one I'd get one with weight distributing and sway control such as the Equal-i-zer.