Forum Discussion

jsayles's avatar
jsayles
Explorer
Jul 25, 2014

clamp on vs bolt on

I am getting my first travel trailer, need to know whats better a clamp on weight distribution/sway vs a boltd on
I was going to order on and was asked this ???
whats better and why.
whats most used.
thanks for the help
John

4 Replies

  • The WD hitch manufacturer designs the system that will work with their product. Clamp-ons are easier to install, so I suspect they are the most popular.
  • Personally I prefer clamp on because I don't like drilling holes in the frame. That said, my current trailer has several holes drilled in the tongue on both sides. It looks like it had a dual cam sway control hitch at one time and it has a plate on both sides for dual friction controls. It doesn't seem to be a problem but, when I get the ProPride I'm going to plate and weld up the holes or at least plug weld them.
  • You could be comparing apples and oranges. They both get the job done.

    Clamp on is easier to install.
  • On mine, a Husky, there is a bracket on each side of the "A" frame trailer tongue that is used to hold the chain links for the weight distribution bars. They are clamped on with bolts. The ball for the sway control is on a plate that is secured to the trailer frame with 4 bolts. The holes for these bolts had to be drilled and tapped.

    I don't know that my setup is better but it works just fine.