need help with WD hitch for new trailer

[Todd T]

I just ordered an 05 Cherokee Wolfpack toy hauler from Forrest River. its a 30 foot TT and obviously i need a WD hitch and probably some sort of sway control.



I have never towed something that required any sort of distribution hitch or sway control so i need some ideas on what sort of hitch i should be looking at and what features to look for in it. oh' and the best place to get a good deal wouldnt hurt either. LOL



the tongue weight is 1340 and dry weight is 7760. its a tandem axle with all four wheels having brakes and overall length is 33'9"



thanks in advance,

Todd

 

[DSutton]

I have foud WD hitches can be helpful in lighter rigs, but I would not use one with my current truck and the trailer you described. The truck outweighs the trailer. The hitch weight does not even seriously load the rear of the truck. I do not like the extra step of connecting the WD hitch if not necessary. Just my humble opinion though!! BTW I have a couple laying around if your ever in the neighborhood.

 

[JoelCool]

Here's a good site that covers how to properly set up a trailer for your truck. http://www.rvtowingtips.com

 

[Big Mike]

Reese

When I had my TT, I had a Reese WD setup with the High Performance Dual Cam Sway control. All I have to say about it is I would never tow anther TT without that style sway control, it hanles incredibly even in high winds. My old TT was similar in weight to your new one.



Mike

 

[bkroupa]

My rig is lighter than yours 800 tongue & 7500 total & I'm using hidden hitch components I bought thru JCW on sale. I towed the new trailer home without it but, I won't tow without it again. The truck handles the wieght fine, but without the WD it takes wieght off of the nose & makes it much easier to slide the front wheels when stopping at a slick stop sign. (That was before I added the 1 ton wheel cylinders on the rear)

 

[tractorseller]

Go with the weight distributing hitch. It only takes 5 minutes to hook it up and they pull like a dream. By the time you put water, supplies, and whatever toys you have in that trailer it's going to weigh a lot more than the dry weight. I've pulled both ways, and the weight distributing hitch with the anti-sway bar is the only way to go.



If you like lower back pain, stiff legs, headaches, etc... ... ... ... ... . then go with the straight hook up and drive in nasty weather. You'll likely have all the previous symptoms after a few miles of being blown around the road :{ .

 

[Todd T]

from what I'm seeing i also need to go to a class V hitch on the truck due to the TW or this rig. my current hitch is rated for 800.



Ive looked that Reese titan for the truck but couldnt find a WD system that could handle over 1200 lbs online. I'm going to a dealer tomorrow to see what they reccoment and now that i have some prices in my head i can compare shipping costs and wait times to their out the door costs and decide.



I think the dual sway control will b going on the hitch at the same time.



thanks,

Gang

 

[EricBu12]

todd,



Wow, 30 ft TT toyhauler... . OK I had a 28' but... . Now MY past experiences...



I had bought a 28' Desert fox toyhauler and I knew I needed a good WD hitch and a antisway device... I bought the Hensley Arrow Hitch.



www.hensleymfg.com



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here is how the lower unit does a turn... . when the unit is in a straight line, there is no "pivot"... only when the truck does a significant turn like 10-20 deg. does the unit make an angle for turning.



The opening of the black part is the receiver for a hitch bar. The main unit stays perm attached to the trailer. For the WD part, there is screw-jacks that you adjust BEFORE you put the weight on the truck so no lifting of the jack-bars!!



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here is the hitch bar



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Here is a drawing of the hitch



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You WILL need to get a class 5 hitch... . I found an affordable one at:

http://www.truckxpressions.com/truckaccessories/towingaccessories/curt07.htm



This is a bolt on hitch. you might need to hog the holes for the bigger bolts but that is it.

$189



I can't rave enough about this hitch!! I drove in heavy crosswinds and the TT felt like a 5th wheel (I drive truck for a living)... It is expensive ($3000) but the cost of this hitch was about 10% of the trailer. Good insurance... If you're lucky, you might be able to get a demo unit for less. Contact hensley for info. Also you can get a free video of the hitch.

 

[Todd T]

Thanks Eric, i actually saw the hensley demoed at the RV show two weeks ago. he was supposed to be mailing me the video and i have their brochure. at the time i didnt think i really needed one but as the weeks went by and the choices narrowed it seemed like the trailer grew too.



i recall he quoted me $2300 or so.



thanks again for the real world review, that helps

 

[Todd T]

just an update. i ordered the Reese Titan for the truck and WD hitch bars. combined they support 14,000/1,700lbs. I also ordered the High Performance dual cam sway control. the reason for the HP sway control was they dont use c-clamps on the frame which means i wont have to torch on my brand new frame to get around the propane bottles and mounts to install the thing.



FYI i ordered it all from reese-hitches.com they were the best price i could find. shipping, all the above plus a ball and reducing sleeve totaled $1069



now if i could just skip forward 5-6 weeks to the delivery date of our new toy hauler

 

[EricBu12]

Good luck todd...



Just remember you STILL have a pivot point (the Ball) unlike the hensley so be very carefull when in wind. I have seen several TT rolled because of strong gusts exiting canyons and such. Get to know the limits and the feel of the rig in different situations and most of all Do not be in a hury to get where you are going. Wind and high speed are bad together.



Have fun!