Bolts needed for WDH?

JBarca wrote:
You did not say what your loaded tongue weight is or the brand of WD hitch.

If the camper is the one shown in your profile picture, that is a smaller camper. I would not expect a extra heavy loaded tongue weight. Maybe 800 to 1,000#? Don't know.

Larger campers which have high tongue weights and use a Reese dual cam system need to bolt on the snap up brackets. The weight limit on this problem shows up at around 1,000 - 1,200# loaded tongue weight. If snap is not bolted on, the snap up bracket can and has sprung open when the camper makes a turn. Bolting has prevented the problem on this setup. I have a 1,600# loaded TW with a DC and mine are bolted on and have not bent since 2003.

This bending problem seems to be more aggravated with the Reese DC system and TW's at or above 1,200#. The problem is not reported as much/if any on Reese WD hitches that do not have the DC. It "may be" that the cam ends of the WD bars exerts very high spring bar loads in a turn which overloads the snap up bracket.

Hope this helps

John

Thank you John for the explanation. It makes perfect sense. I actually had a Reese dual cam setup with the camper pictured (overkill) and that was bolted on. We have since purchased a Starcraft Antigua (32'). I can't recall the brand of the WDH that's on but the weight difference between our old camper and the new one is not huge. I'll have to take it to the scales and figure out the tongue weight. I may eventually bolt it on just to be safe. Our maiden camping voyage will happen next weekend (pretty close county park) and I'll see how things are. Thank you again.

By the way, here's a quick snap of the rig the night we picked her up:

You did not say what your loaded tongue weight is or the brand of WD hitch.

If the camper is the one shown in your profile picture, that is a smaller camper. I would not expect a extra heavy loaded tongue weight. Maybe 800 to 1,000#? Don't know.

Larger campers which have high tongue weights and use a Reese dual cam system need to bolt on the snap up brackets. The weight limit on this problem shows up at around 1,000 - 1,200# loaded tongue weight. If snap is not bolted on, the snap up bracket can and has sprung open when the camper makes a turn. Bolting has prevented the problem on this setup. I have a 1,600# loaded TW with a DC and mine are bolted on and have not bent since 2003.

This bending problem seems to be more aggravated with the Reese DC system and TW's at or above 1,200#. The problem is not reported as much/if any on Reese WD hitches that do not have the DC. It "may be" that the cam ends of the WD bars exerts very high spring bar loads in a turn which overloads the snap up bracket.

Hope this helps

John

Thank you for your answers. I think I'll leave it alone. It's worked well for previous owner...

The only time I've had a bracket move is if the chain is taken up too short. If your hitch is set up properly you shouldn't have a problem.

As others have said, your choice.

SoundGuy wrote:

ScottG wrote:
No, your not supposed to put bolts in those holes and it isn't needed.

That's why Reese offers self tapping screws Part #58459 for those who do prefer to bolt their lift up frame brackets to their trailer frame. :R



As I originally replied to the OP - your choice. ;)

Why is it that you always seem to project the image that "my way is the correct way and no other opinions matter"? Even when the word "optional" shows up in your posted image. And don't even go with the "I told the OP it was his choice" yadda, yadda, yadda. You got 4 out of 8 posts on this topic; you're pretty invested in doing it your way.

ScottG wrote:
No, your not supposed to put bolts in those holes and it isn't needed.

That's why Reese offers self tapping screws Part #58459 for those who do prefer to bolt their lift up frame brackets to their trailer frame. :R



As I originally replied to the OP - your choice. ;)

IMO...If you fall off a cliff and all vertical tension is lost and you didn't screw in the bolt in back...you might need to install those heavy duty size 12 or 14 zinc coated screws. In other words no.

No, your not supposed to put bolts in those holes and it isn't needed.

downtheroad wrote:
Not necessary....

Until the bracket does slip. ;)

My trailer is still in winter storage but here's a pic I took the other day which shows how I used a couple of small self tapping screws to prevent the WD saddle brackets from slipping. Nothing more is required.