One socket clip on my Reese round bar broke while on the road..it won't hold the bar now.. Getting a repair or replacement can't happen until after our return leg later this weekOur trip home about 325 milesLeft side bar and socket fineHere's the question.. for our return trip, am I ok/better to run with a single w/d bar? In other words, is one better than none? Or does having a w/d bar on only one side create an unsafe imbalance situation or something, such that it's better/safer to run with no w/d at all?Thx

Just opinion,but I would think that none at all would be the way to go.I think that one would throw off your balance and unnaturally stress both the truck and trailer.For only 325 miles I would go bareback, stay on secondary roads and reduce my speed.

Concur with pitch.I have to get out of my drive and in the flat before installing the load bars. I failed to properly fasten one and lost it along the way from home to campsite, about 70 miles, over half interstate. Found it missing during set up. Didn't notice any difference while driving. Going home, I just used a basic ball mount vice hassling with the WDH heavy hitch head. There were noticeable winds on the interstate so I tried to limit my speeds 60-65MPH. On the way there, I was driving closer to 70 to stay with traffic, pushing 75 on the downhills.I was concerned with a single bar putting a twisting force on the TT A-frame, WDH assembly, and htruck hitch/frame. My sway control is dependent on the load bars so I just drove a bit slower.

trailernovice wrote:Getting a repair or replacement can't happen until after our return leg later this weekReally??What if your drawbar breaks because you've exceeded its rating? Just speculating on what the other side of the coin looks like.

wing_zealot wrote:trailernovice wrote:Getting a repair or replacement can't happen until after our return leg later this weekReally??What if your drawbar breaks because you've exceeded its rating? Just speculating on what the other side of the coin looks like.Not sure, but I think the forces on a drawbar are about the same with or without a WDH. That is, I don't think the purpose of a WDH is to reduce the force on the drawbar.

Better/safer to have only one w/d bar? Or none?

Terryallan
Explorer II
Dec 30, 2019
trailernovice wrote:
The question wasn't whether having w/d preferred.. the question is, under circumstances where the only option for my 325-mile return leg is a single w/d bar or none, which way should I go?

For those concerned.. with or without w/d, am WAY under capacity.. tt right at 5000 lbs, with hitch weight under 500

Let us know how it tows with out the WDH.
GDS-3950BH
Explorer
Dec 30, 2019
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Grit dog wrote:
Good stuff^!!
OP confirmed his setup doesn't even "need" a wdh by the numbers.
So now the unpaid (or maybe y'all do get paid) spokesmen for wdhs can rest easy...

Grit, I have a sticker on my trailer that says: "Check your lug nuts every 50 miles."

Can you put my mind at ease too? Getting to be a drag stopping every 50 miles to check my nuts! ;)

You should stop every 12.5 miles and check the nuts on a different wheel each time, if you have tandem axles. What do you think the chances are that all your nuts come loose at the same time? :B
BenK
Explorer
Dec 30, 2019
Wondering what the OP wanted to hear, as the advice is all over the place for him to pick and choose from

Could use two bars with a bungee cord holding the offending clip-less bar

Could go with only one

Could go without either

I’m okay being called the weight police, but am not policing, just providing advice to questions. Never say ‘sure you can’, just info for the OP’s too make up theirs own minds...

Oh well, another to put on the blocked list to not waste my time...or others time...
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Dec 30, 2019
Grit dog wrote:
Good stuff^!!
OP confirmed his setup doesn't even "need" a wdh by the numbers.
So now the unpaid (or maybe y'all do get paid) spokesmen for wdhs can rest easy...

Grit, I have a sticker on my trailer that says: "Check your lug nuts every 50 miles."

Can you put my mind at ease too? Getting to be a drag stopping every 50 miles to check my nuts! ;)
Grit_dog
Navigator
Dec 30, 2019
Good stuff^!!
OP confirmed his setup doesn't even "need" a wdh by the numbers.
So now the unpaid (or maybe y'all do get paid) spokesmen for wdhs can rest easy...
GDS-3950BH
Explorer
Dec 30, 2019
TurnThePage wrote:
If it was me and my Ram pulling your trailer, I would go without in a heartbeat. I have been unable to find this 500 lb limit on my hitch. The owners manual mentions something a little north of 1100 lbs for tongue weight with NO mention of wd hitch. I believe there is ZERO % chance of physical damage. The biggest concern might be towing characteristics and control.

If you can go by Rams specs for 2019 (OEM Standard) a Tradesman or Bighorn is a class 3 receiver and every trim level above is a class 4. Not too sure what any of that means as I've only been into this towing thing for a couple of weeks, never took physics, and am not a card carrying member of the weight police.

Happy New Year.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Dec 30, 2019
If it was me and my Ram pulling your trailer, I would go without in a heartbeat. I have been unable to find this 500 lb limit on my hitch. The owners manual mentions something a little north of 1100 lbs for tongue weight with NO mention of wd hitch. I believe there is ZERO % chance of physical damage. The biggest concern might be towing characteristics and control.
trailernovice
Explorer
Dec 30, 2019
As indicated in thread-starting post, two bars is not an option until home..Socket clip snapped.. its one bar only, or nothing.. trying to figure out which better
BenK
Explorer
Dec 30, 2019
At Less than 10% tongue, I'd be sure to have both bars foe balanced sway control

You are the first <10% tongue I've heard of

Advise was out of context without more info, that you have now presented
trailernovice
Explorer
Dec 30, 2019
The question wasn't whether having w/d preferred.. the question is, under circumstances where the only option for my 325-mile return leg is a single w/d bar or none, which way should I go?

For those concerned.. with or without w/d, am WAY under capacity.. tt right at 5000 lbs, with hitch weight under 500