Towing new trailer home with out WD

[gambo21]

I'm getting a new travel trailer, 31' Forest River Wildwood X-lite towing with 2008 Suburban. I will be installing a Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution System but only after I get it home. Dealer will not let me work on there lot witch I under stand.I live 15 min. from dealer on a strait mostly flat highway (101) Nipomo to Santa Maria. Is this crazy? Should I find a place on the side of the road to install the WD to the trailer?

Thanks

[Hannibal]

Glad it all worked out and hopefully it tows well. I declined to reply earlier as I've been known to be a bad influence lol! I use a WD hitch with ours but still no sway control.

[PnrFab]

gambo21 wrote:

PnrFab wrote:
***Link Removed***

Well did you do it? 🙂

Dealer actually ended up installing it for me for free while I finished up with the paper work inside. I went over it all later and they did a really good job as well :C

[PnrFab]

ScottG wrote:

PnrFab wrote:
same question i asked several months back

So? There's nothing new under the sun so questions are going to be repeated. If they didn't, forums would die.

I know how forums work thx for the tip. I was simply helping him by linking to the same exact topic I asked few months back that had really good responses. Not like I was telling the guy to use "search function its been asked before"

[rbpru]

I would install the hitch at home, then pick up the TT.

[camp-n-family]

It's got nothing to do with how far or how long the OP needs to tow it. A receiver loaded well beyond its rating can fail at anytime. Without a wd hitch the stock Suburban receiver is only rated for 5k tt and 600lbs tongue weight. The OP doesn't specify, and likely doesn't know the exact weights, but I suspect a 31' tt will far exceed both of those numbers.

I recall reading about problems with the GM receivers failing too. Google it, lots to read.

[falconbrother]

When we bought out first TT I didn't even know what a weight distributing hitch was. We towed all over the place with that thing and...I don't usually recommend it. Would I go 15 minutes without weight distribution? Probably.. I'd find the back way and stay off of any roads above about 45 MPH. It's a bad idea but, Lord knows I put in a lot of miles that way. Also, it's not going to be real healthy for your suspension or your receiver.

[mbrower]

When I bought my first travel trailer, a 30' Jayco, I was convinced from this forum that a Hensley Arrow was absolutely necessary to safely tow. Being short of funds, I towed with just a WD hitch and sway bar for a year or so and had no problems what so ever. After a year, I decided to try and tow just on the ball and never hooked my WD bars up again. Towed many years without any WD bars and never had any issues what so ever.

I do have a dually pick up, hitch and draw bar are properly sized for the weight I'm towing.

You don't want to overload the rear of the vehicle, as this can seriously affect your steering geometry, braking, and stability of the tow vehicle. If your vehicle squats significantly when you place weight on the bumper, you need a WD hitch period.

[samsontdog]

I cannot count the times I bought a TT from a private party and towed it home
without WD . The TT are always empty. I never had a problem even when I towed one 412 miles home on I 5. I don't see a problem towing your new TT with your tow rig

[ScottG]

downtheroad wrote:
Can't speak about your specific dealer, but many have no clue how to install a Reece Dual Cam Strait Line hitch correctly.

Most likely you will be re-adjusting, tweaking and dialing it in when you get home anyway.

anyway, congrats on the new trailer.

That's the truth!
I pre-adjusted mine before picking up my present TT.
When I was in the office finishing the paperwork, they took my DC all apart and adjusted it again. They had it so goofed up that when he went to set the spring bars, they were WAY too tight and he lost control of the cheater bar. It flew between us, two trailers and then sailed across the parking lot.
Could have hurt someone real bad. They admitted that they just set it up "like the brand they always sell".

[bobndot]

SoundGuy wrote:

bobndot wrote:
Nice dealer ! How much did you just spend there ????
I would install the hitch there and pretend you are deaf .

Let him call the P.D. , get their opinion of this dealer putting you out on a public highway with an unsafe set up. (the same public highway as they drive on)

The OP conveniently neglected to mention where this WD system came from but if he didn't buy it from the same dealer he purchased the trailer from there's no reason that dealer should have to agree to install a product he didn't sell. :R

Yes SG, thank u , that crossed my mine and was confirmed by the OP in that later post.
The OP was going to do the actual install which he should do at his own property not the dealers. But i see no reason why he would not be allowed to do the final adjustments when he picks up the new TT at the dealership. That would be unsafe and not wise for the dealer at that point.

The RV purchase process to anyone buying a new unit is to tie up the loose ends before you sign. The hitch should have been negotiated into the final sale . Sometimes its simply not worth trying to save a few $ . Give the dealer the sale and good service may follow. Bottom line....you need to have a good working relationship with your dealer.
It's plain common sense .

[GrandpaKip]

When I got our new to us camper, the dealer had no problem with me removing my Andersen WD from my trade in and putting it on the new one. I certainly would have felt differently about them if they had said no. As it stands, I highly recommend Sonny's in upstate SC to anyone who is looking.

[Vintage465]

I would tow it for 15-30 minutes long as you can map out a way to get there w/o dragging the tongue jack. I would keep speed @ 55 or below and your finger ready to hit the trailer brakes if it starts to sway.

[msmith1_wa]

It only takes about 5 minutes to install both snap up brackets. The sway control won't be installed, but at least you will have WD.

[spoon059]

I bought my trailer new from a dealer and re-used my old WDH setup. They installed it for me for FREE and set it up correctly. I didn't even have to ask, my salesman offered it to me. While we were doing our walk through in a heated garage in the middle of February, a mechanic installed the WDH for me.

A good dealer will take care of things like that, in my opinion.