Weight Distribution

[meganjoe]

Hi everybody..

We are planning on buying a Coachmen Clipper 17FQ. The GVWR is 3518 lbs. and the tongue weight figures to be about 300 lbs. +

We will be towing it with a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. which is rated for 6200 lbs.

Do I need Weight Distribution and Anti-Sway stuff?? Of course the dealer says yes but I've been reading conflicting reports online.

If I do need it can you guys and gals give me some recommendations??

Thanks, Joe

[meganjoe]

SkiMore wrote:
The manual for the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee says you need a WDH if trailer is over 3500 lbs

The 2015 manual says 5000 lbs

I'll be a little over 3500..

Thanks for the help...

Joe

[SkiMore]

The manual for the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee says you need a WDH if trailer is over 3500 lbs

The 2015 manual says 5000 lbs

[meganjoe]

2112 wrote:

meganjoe wrote:
Thanks everyone ..

There is a Equal-i-zer here on craigslist.. the 600 lb. unit for $165.00 .. I beleive that is the right size..

Is that overkill??

Joe

I was going to come back and scream you don't need a WDH and anti-sway for a 3000lb trailer but if you can get an Equalizer for $165 I say jump on it.

This is a very small, light TT. Now go have fun 🙂

Yeah... That's kinda what I'm thinkin'

Joe

[2112]

meganjoe wrote:
Thanks everyone ..

There is a Equal-i-zer here on craigslist.. the 600 lb. unit for $165.00 .. I beleive that is the right size..

Is that overkill??

Joe

I was going to come back and scream you don't need a WDH and anti-sway for a 3000lb trailer but if you can get an Equalizer for $165 I say jump on it.

This is a very small, light TT. Now go have fun 🙂

[spadoctor]

I have towed over 250000 miles...and still do....with a basic Reese WDH and dual friction controls. I currently tow a rig weighing in at 10300lbs. Never a sway issue....and with the dual friction if you need more or less sway control you can adjust. There is no need to loosen in rain or to back up either. Its all a personal choice. To me there is too much hype about this is better than that....you need to change shocks or add sway bars....all******if your vehicle is rated to tow your load and the hitch is set up properly.

[bigcitypopo]

gmw photos wrote:

meganjoe wrote:
Thanks everyone ..

There is a Equal-i-zer here on craigslist.. the 600 lb. unit for $165.00 .. I beleive that is the right size..

Is that overkill??

Joe

Joe,
That's a deal... I too suggest grabbing it.

"Overkill" might be "spending $2000- $2500 on a propride or hensley" for this trailer and tow vehicle. Just my opinion.

EDIT: for $165, you can try it, and if it doesn't work out, you can likely sell it on for the same as you gave for it. Especially if you take the time to clean it up nice and give it fresh paint.

I really don't think there is a thing as overkill.... it will definitely transfer to the next rig... i wish i never bought ez lift and the equalizer... there is no comparison...

to each their own. I have never heard of someone buying a hensley or pro-pride and switching back to another hitch...

[gmw_photos]

meganjoe wrote:
Thanks everyone ..

There is a Equal-i-zer here on craigslist.. the 600 lb. unit for $165.00 .. I beleive that is the right size..

Is that overkill??

Joe

Joe,
That's a deal... I too suggest grabbing it.

"Overkill" might be "spending $2000- $2500 on a propride or hensley" for this trailer and tow vehicle. Just my opinion.

EDIT: for $165, you can try it, and if it doesn't work out, you can likely sell it on for the same as you gave for it. Especially if you take the time to clean it up nice and give it fresh paint.

[bigcitypopo]

get a hensley scout/ cub or whatever they call it... make the best purchase once....

[westend]

meganjoe wrote:
Thanks everyone ..

There is a Equal-i-zer here on craigslist.. the 600 lb. unit for $165.00 .. I beleive that is the right size..

Is that overkill??

Joe

Good price on a great hitch. It has built-in anti-sway.

[BarneyS]

meganjoe wrote:
Thanks everyone ..

There is a Equal-i-zer here on craigslist.. the 600 lb. unit for $165.00 .. I beleive that is the right size..

Is that overkill??

Joe

That would probably be just about perfect for your application.
Grab it! 🙂
Barney

[meganjoe]

Thanks everyone ..

There is a Equal-i-zer here on craigslist.. the 600 lb. unit for $165.00 .. I beleive that is the right size..

Is that overkill??

Joe

[gmw_photos]

I use the BlueOx swaypro. Is "clean" ( no grease required on the parts you take out routinely ) effective at weight distributing, and has built in sway control.

[handye9]

Your set up would be a good candidate for an Andersen hitch. Model 3350 or 3380, depending on how much drop you need. Here's a link.

Many WD hitches require greasing the trunion bars and hitch head. This can make hitching, unhitching, and storage a bit messy. When people ask which grease to use, a frequent answer is "whatever color matches your clothes and upholstery". Their average weight is 80 - 100 lbs.

The Andersen hitch weighs 60 lbs (including the box it comes in), uses no lubrication, takes up less storage space, and has sway control built in.

[DutchmenSport]

I use a WDH hitch on my 3500 duly diesel! I simply cannot imagine towing anything with a JGC without a WDH (or any kind of travel trailer without a WDH on an any kid of tow vehicle).