my camper comes in with a tongue weight around 500 lbs. I notices 800-1200 being the common weight range for the smaller weight distribution hitches. In particular I notices http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/adjustable-weight-distributing-hitch/A-p8371593e is a great deal rate now. What would happen if I used it with less than 800 lbs tongue weight?

All will be fine assuming you're not use 1200 pound bars. If you have a 500 pound tongue weight, that is likely dry weight. Add propane, a battery and water and it will come up a bit. I you have 750-800 pound bars or even 1000 pound bars start by dropping 3 links(meaning it's hooked on the fourth link and three are dangling), if it's a little bouncy(not squishy or spongy)then drop two links.

Jebby14 wrote:my camper comes in with a tongue weight around 500 lbs. I notices 800-1200 being the common weight range for the smaller weight distribution hitches. In particular I notices http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/adjustable-weight-distributing-hitch/A-p8371593e is a great deal rate now. What would happen if I used it with less than 800 lbs tongue weight?Etrailer.com has an 800lbs TW hitch for $200.Is the trailer and Jeep Grand Cherokee setup in your signature the one you're talking about? If so, I would suggest you get a round bar WD hitch system. The reason is this will give you better ground clearance than would a trunion style hitch.KJ

LIKE2BUILD wrote:Etrailer.com has an 800lbs TW hitch for $200.Is the trailer and Jeep Grand Cherokee setup in your signature the one you're talking about? If so, I would suggest you get a round bar WD hitch system. The reason is this will give you better ground clearance than would a trunion style hitch.?? How to you figure? That round bar sticks down from the hitch head much more than a trunion.. I just switched from a Pro-Series round bar to a Reese SC trunion and gained over 2" of clearance (that I didn't need).I'd think one with 800# bars would be the better than just barely enough, if you get a 550# for example you may find that it's insufficient as the numbers quoted by manufacturers are usually off. My actual TW is 550# (manufacture claimed 230#), I just moved from 550# bars to 800# because the 550's were at their limit.. (and I wanted integrated sway control).

I have the husky round bar hitch that I got when I towed a New yorker horse trailer with a 97 Ford Exploder. Plenty of ground clearance, especially considering how low a horse trailer sits. That would be the perfect WDH for your setup. mine has the up to 800# bars, my trailer is ~760# loaded TW, and with a sway control on it, tows perfectly. Well worth the low cost.

Put 500 pounds of water softener salt in the back of that vehicle and see how much the rear squats. If it squats, your camper will also make the rear squat. You need the WD bars. Try it. See what happens, then you'll know.Sounds like with your set up, the Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch would be a great match! Click here. I have an Equal-i-zer system and it works great for my needs. But, I've read enough about other WD systems to know that the Andersen is ideal for lighter weight trailers and smaller tow vehicles.Check out the link above.

weight distribution hitch opinion | Good Sam Community

myredracer
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2016
Jebby14 wrote:
wont need until spring. I watch often but they are few and far between. hopefully ill see one.

If considering used, I've seen lots on our CL but depends on the time of year. I was at a dealer once and they had a pile of used WDHs for sale removed off customer's trailers so that *might* be a source too. Used may be an opportunity to find a really nice one.
Jebby14
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
wont need until spring. I watch often but they are few and far between. hopefully ill see one.
westend
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
Jebby14 wrote:
thanks guys ill keep my eyes open
Yeah, if you're not in a hurry, check your local ads. The WDH's come up for sale often as folks are upgrading or selling their trailers and they end up with a (useless to them) WDH.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2016
Still not bad for a very good quality proper rated hitch!
Jebby14
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
which works out to 480 ish Canadian by the time I pay hst and convert the money.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2016
I remember having 600lb bars when I had my Award TT.

Did you miss it? Reese 600lb TW.

Etrailer has them for $316
Jebby14
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
thanks guys ill keep my eyes open
Hannibal
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
I agree with myredracer. I bought my Reese HP trunion style with 800 lb bars new from a seller on Ebay for $270. Then the shank from Lowe's for around $50.
Timtation
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
Love my Andersens, quiet, and a comfortable ride. Quiet from the passenger seat as well, at least as comments about ride comfort go.
myredracer
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2016
That WDH has trunnion bars which are held in place by a vertical pin with hitch pin/clip at the bottom of it. Seems like it would be a nuisance to re & re every time you hook up and unhook. With Reese trunnion bars, they simply slip in and out of a socket in the hitch head with no pin needed to hold them in place. Maybe the vertical pin could wear faster? If the bars on it are good up to 1200 lbs, I would say they're too much for the 500-600 lbs or so of tongue wt. and you want 600 or 800 lb rated ones. How do you adjust the hitch head angle on it - does it have serrated washers or? What if a part failed or wore out - can you get replacement parts or would you have to buy a whole new WDH?

I'm always leary of some of Princess Auto's items as far as quality goes and a WDH is a critical part of a TT setup. $300 is kinda okay but I think you can do better by shopping around more for better pricing and quality if you include the US. Nothing wrong with round bars and they might work better for you.

Since Windsor is close to the border, you could always open up a US mailbox and get things shipped there and go pick it up (if you don't already). We do that a lot and save tons of $$ (and no taxes except on big $$ items). Then you could shop around for a brand name WDH like say a Curt, Camco, etc. and buy from one of the numerous online vendors like Tweetys.com, PPLmotorhomes, etc., or ebay or Amazon. With the dollar exchange the way it is at the moment, it can be harder to good deals on RV parts tho.

Princess Auto link here and photo below.