My first travel trailer

[Codyb74]

so I have purchased my first TT although I am no stranger to towing 10,000+ lb goosenecks I have never towed a camper and I don't know if I need a WD hitch.
My truck is 2010 chevy 2500hd crew cab long bed and TT is 28ft long weighing 6300lb empty. Do you guys think I need a WD hitch or will it be just fine on a regular hitch as long as the trailer sit close to level? I know this has probably been talked to death but I wanted to know you guys opinion on my exact truck and trailer thanks in advance

[jamesu]

WDH. Definitely yes. Helps it tow straight and true. My TV has plenty of power, but wouldn't want to tow without the great WDH set up I have.

[Rumtan]

Can adding any safety equipment ever be bad? Want peace of mind? Whats your pucker-factor in big winds? Eliminate the worry....get the WD Hitch.

(just one guys opinion.....take it for what you paid for it)

Rumtan

[wowens79]

I've got a similar rig, but a gasser, and my TT is 6500lb dry. I'd really recommend a WD hitch, I occasionally tow about 5 miles from the storage place to the house without it, and you can really tell a difference, and I'm going less than 40mph. It is much more stable with the Hitch connected.

i use a Blue Ox Sway Pro hitch, and I'm really happy with it, but it is my first WD hitch. My tongue weight is around 900-1000lb depending on load. I emailed Blue Ox about which spring bar, and they recommended if you were on the edge of the weight to go up a size. They said it was better to have heavier ones lightly loaded than the smaller ones torqued to their max.

[Bird_Freak]

Hey Cody, found your post! These guys are really good for info here, We all try to help everybody getting started.

[Vintage465]

Well, you have plenty of answers here. It is a common misconception that the only thing a WD hitch is for is to level out the tow vehicle. There is a certain amount of truth to this. But that is not all it does. The ride is much more stable with a WD hitch. I suppose if all you did was drive down a road as flat and straight as an airport runway, all would be fine. Reality is we tow on quite varied terrain. Coming down an incline at 55-65 mph and encountering a swoop in the road or a bridge crossing that no longer blends to the road way in a smooth fashion is where the difference shows itself real quickly. With out a WD hitch the amount force down on your hitch(which is several feet behind the axle)leverages the weight off your front axle. Doesn't matter how stiff your springs are: weight goes down on the hitch, weight comes off the front axle. Simple and factual as that. A set of 1000# WD spring bars distributes a percentage of that weight and force to the front axle and also greatly supports and reduces the hinging at the hitch up point of the tow vehicle. My personal opinion is that many people think they are not being macho if they say they have a WD hitch on there 3500HD or F-350....not looking for a fight, just my opinion. The other thing that is frequently miss understood is: Just because you have a WD hitch doesn't necessarily mean it has integrated sway control. Many do, many don't. I tow with an American made Draw Tight and it is fine unit for my use but doesn't have integrated sway control. I manage that with a Husky brand friction sway control unit. If I was purchasing a new unit, I would seriously consider one with the integrated sway control

[CavemanCharlie]

Talk to a reputable Chevy Pickup dealer and also take it to a scale before you decide what you need. Have the trailer loaded before you go to the scale to make sure you get a accurate measurement.

[Sandia_Man]

I wouldn't be overly concerned with weight distribution as much as I would be with sway. We travel primarily on interstates out here in the West to get anywhere, at those speeds and the high winds we often have I wouldn't tow our slightly longer TT without one. We have a very similar tow vehicle as well and use a Reese WD hitch with integrated sway control similar to the Equalizer. We can zoom down the highway and have no sway issues even when passing semi trucks.

[tomkaren13]

Be Happy safe and secure, Go with a good WD hitch with anti sway.

[aftermath]

I am of the school that says all trailers should have some sort of anti sway control. Since I have always towed with a half ton the WD is a no brainer for me. Since I had to get a WD hitch I chose to get one with built in sway control. I just didn't want to mess with those add on friction bars. I have a brother that uses one and has told me that he connects it when he thinks he will need it. What? Who can forecast the need? Some folks use two of these bars, some use one, some tighten them up real tight while others "just a little". Then some also require you to remove them before you back up.

Get a WD hitch with built in sway control and you will be good to go. There are some good options out there. I like my Equalizer. I used it on both of my trailers. I towed a smaller and lighter hybrid and had to deal with big winds and passing semis. Glad I had it. My current trailer tows much easier. I am not even sure that I "need" it now but I won't give it up.

[Hannibal]

The only reason I use a WD hitch is to satisfy the weight rating of the F250's OEM receiver. The truck settles 2" without the bars same as with our previous 5th wheel. The WD bring it back up 1". With our 32.5' TT I don't use sway control. I bought a Reese HP trunnion style with integrated cams in the bars in case I decide to add sway control arms in the future. We feel trucks pass if there is a crosswind but nothing scary.

[Ivylog]

If it's a diesel, then no as the amount of weight taken off of the front axle with a crew cab and long bed is not very much. I would take it to a set of scales and find out what your axle weights are and then decide if you need to shift some weight to the front axle and the trailer axles. A PU will handle better with 1200 lbs in the bed or hooked to the rear.

A 5er does not "track better" than a TT but it is less likely to cause sway as the pin weight is closer to 20 percent than 10 and it's over the rear axle.

If you find you need to shift a little weight, then 1000 lb bars will be enough and they will help with porpoising (not that likely with a truck as long as yours) but have no effect on sway which is caused by not enough tongue weight.

[jesseannie]

I have a Curt with tension bars I like it a lot. It is quieter and I like the bars better than the chains.
Probably personal preference. My trailer weighs gwhst yours does and I have 10 k bars.
Jesseannie

[trsky]

WD hitches come in all price ranges.I use a standard Reese and it works fine. Spring bars are based on what your tongue weight is. The manufacturers will provide sizing.

[Codyb74]

Think you for yalls input do you have any suggestions on brand and the weight bars I need