bid_time
Michigan
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Joined: 08/18/2006
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I have a F-250 and a 25-foot hybrid. I use a WD hitch and Sway bar except when I am towing to/from the storage yard to my home. It just tows a whole lot better with it then without it.
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epeters
SW Washington
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Joined: 09/04/2007
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I have the same truck as you, and I think it's pretty clear from the responses, a WDH is a wise choice. In my opinion, it's better to err on the side of safety than not. The amount of investment for a WDH is small enough that it shouldn't be too tough of a choice.
Erik
DW, DS, DD
2008 Antigua 235SBS
2004 Silverado Crewcab 1500
2003 Fleetwood Mesa - gone
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Padlin
W. Ma.
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Joined: 06/15/2006
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Like Eric I have the same truck as you do. Even with my very small trailer the tongue weight is over 700 lbs. (manufacturer specs lie). Without the WDH I can't get close to leveling the truck and the hitch shank hits the driveway and such when backing up hills. Don't know how much it helps for sway and such as I've never towed without the wdh. You can always try it without the wdh and pick one up afterwords.
Bob & Deb
W Ma.
04 GMC 1500 4X4, 5.3L
06 Starcraft 18SB
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jkment
Nebraska
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Joined: 07/02/2006
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I only use the W.D. for long trips... 30 + miles. Wouldn't really bother me if I was keeping the speed around 55. If going 75 on the interstate I would recommend one. Towed a 2002 23B all the way from Texas with a Blazer with out a W.D. or sway bar. That was a white knuckle experience!!
Jeff
2006 Rockwood Roo 23B
2004 Chevy Silverado ( formally 1999 Blazer)
2 pretty girls, one hot wife, and a mutt!
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Tacoma_WV
WV
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Joined: 11/01/2009
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Does this WDH stop the danger of a passing truck? Or high winds? Maybe I will get one and get a new steering wheel where I warped if from holding ti to thight last week during the East coast storm!!! 2005 Tacoma Toy Truck, Passport 19.5 Box, 4,500# !!!
I just don't want to get one I regret and wish I would have gotten the other hitch!!
Decisions, decisions.
* This post was
edited 11/06/09 11:07am by Tacoma_WV *
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bikendan
Napa, Cal.
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Joined: 11/21/2005
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Tacoma_WV wrote:Does this WDH stop the danger of a passing truck? Or high winds? Maybe I will get one and get a new steering wheel where I warped if from holding ti to thight last week during the East coast storm!!! 2005 Tacoma Toy Truck, Passport 19.5 Box, 4,500# !!!
I just don't want to get one I regret and wish I would have gotten the other hitch!! Decisions, decisions.
i don't know what dealer allowed you to drive off without a WDH with sway control, but they could've been sued if you'd had an accident.
doesn't mean you would've of won, though.
a WDH alone doesn't stop sway. unless they have it built-in, like the Equal-i-zer or the Reese Dual-Cam. that's why these two are the highest recommended and praised WDH systems on this forum.
Reese has a clone of the Equal-i-zer, but i forget what it's called.
Dan- Firefighter , Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur , Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever , 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
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Tacoma_WV
WV
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Joined: 11/01/2009
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bikendan wrote:Tacoma_WV wrote:Does this WDH stop the danger of a passing truck? Or high winds? Maybe I will get one and get a new steering wheel where I warped if from holding ti to thight last week during the East coast storm!!! 2005 Tacoma Toy Truck, Passport 19.5 Box, 4,500# !!!
I just don't want to get one I regret and wish I would have gotten the other hitch!! Decisions, decisions.
i don't know what dealer allowed you to drive off without a WDH with sway control, but they could've been sued if you'd had an accident.
doesn't mean you would've of won, though.
a WDH alone doesn't stop sway. unless they have it built-in, like the Equal-i-zer or the Reese Dual-Cam. that's why these two are the highest recommended and praised WDH systems on this forum.
Reese has a clone of the Equal-i-zer, but i forget what it's called.
Thanks exactly the kind of advice i am looking for. Will have one installed by next week...
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bikendan
Napa, Cal.
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Tacoma_WV, check on prices first. you can get an Equal-i-zer delivered from RVWholesalers for $459. they can be easily installed but you may need a long socket for installing the ball to the hitch head.
Equalizer has an installation video on their website.
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Jerry9n
SE Michigan
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Joined: 10/28/2008
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I think there is a general misunderstanding of WD Hitches.
Before that, check your hitch. Mine is rated 600# Weight carrying and 895 Weight distributing.
I have a 23' HTT and the factory literature lists the tongue weight as 330#. The reality is that loaded it is about 780#.
Now here is what the WD hitch does: it moves the weight from the rear wheels of the tow vehicle and pushes most of it forward to the front wheels of the tow vehicle and some to the trailer. In my case my front axle weight was 3140# with no trailer, 2880 with the trailer and a dead weight hitch and 3080 with the WD hitch. While I was not over the rear axle rating on the TV without weight distribution (although the hitch exceeded the dead weigh load), the front end was significantly lighter than either without the trailer or with the WD hitch and you could feel it. The steering was lighter and you tended to feel trucks pass you, cross winds and some "porpoising".
I go with the group and recommend a WDH. I did go with a Reese Pro Series SC which is very similar to the Equilizer. I like the design of these two hitches.
Jerry9n
2009 23' Cikira Escape EXP
2006 Ford Expedition
Reese Pro Series SC
Tekonsha Primus IQ
HTT Mods
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mnaquaman
Farmington, MN
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Joined: 08/01/2004
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I look at this a couple of ways.
1. My family and the families in the vehicles around me are safer because I have WD hitch with sway control.
2. My TV is better balanced which results in a better & saver ride and most likely helps with vehicle wear & tear. Although I can't prove it.
3. After a day on the road I am not exhausted from fighting the bumps & sway of the trailer. Sure I'm tired but not from the fight of pulling the TT.
4. You will spend way more than $4oo for cool stuff to put in to the TT to make it comfortable while you are at the campground - BUT you have to get there first.
Happy Camping
Randy
Randy, Sharon & Bryce Engelland
Farmington, MN
2005 Jayco 21J
2004 Chevy Avalanche
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