Stabilizing Hitches

[garyl62]

There is another thread going about trailer weights and a few people have talked about stabilizing, or weight distribution hitches. Rather than taking that thread off the original topic I thought I'd start this one and see what experience people have with them. What type of vehicles did you use them on, how big was the trailer, was the weight close to your limits, did it make a noticeable difference? Also, what kind did you use?

 

[jr37]

I have both on my camper. It is a 30' travel trailer and weighs about 8000 lbs. and I tow it with a 2500HD GMC. With the weight distribution hitch the truck travels pretty level. With the anti-sway bar, I just adjust it according to conditions. If I am traveling a longer distance or if it is quit windy, I tighten up the bar and it keeps the trailer pretty straight. I would want to pull that big thing without them.

 

[sixball]

When we ran the NHRA circuit We pulled with a E350 Ford van. We had a modified 460Ci and a after market torque converter.
Our trailer was 32' and weighed in from 7 to 9 tones. We used equalizing hitch and it pulled very well. We did not use a sway control as she pulled very solid. I must admit I was shocked when we pulled over the scale on the trip at 9 tones But we had spare parts for the spare parts. We did not pull on ice and snow!!!!!!!

 

[Dave_B]

I have a 3/4 ton Yukon XL. I tow a travel trailer with a gross about 5,000 lbs. It is borderline as to the benefit of using the weight distribution bars with this combo but, I use them on the minimal setting. Usually the second link.
They did make a huge difference on my 1500 Suburban's before I bought this truck.
It would be a lot easier to give you input if I knew your tow vehicle and the specs on the trailer.
I use a Draw Tite brand set up with a 10,000 lb max.

 

[garyl62]

I have a 3/4 ton Yukon XL. I tow a travel trailer with a gross about 5,000 lbs. It is borderline as to the benefit of using the weight distribution bars with this combo but, I use them on the minimal setting. Usually the second link.
They did make a huge difference on my 1500 Suburban's before I bought this truck.
It would be a lot easier to give you input if I knew your tow vehicle and the specs on the trailer.
I use a Draw Tite brand set up with a 10,000 lb max.

I have an Explorer Sport Trac and I'm thinking about a 3 place inline. The vehicle is rated at 5,080 for the trailer, and the loaded trailer would be about 4,250. Add to that three 200 lbs guys in the cab and I'll be about 400 lbs below my GCWR. I'm thinking the distribution bars would be helpful, not sure about the sway control. How much hassle are they to set up and hook/unhook the trailer?

 

[Dave_B]

Not hard to hook up at all. Sway control is always a plus and important even if you don't use the distribution bars. I would invest in a set if I were you. You won't need anything complicated. Just a basic setup like mine to keep the tongue weight in line. Keep an eye on craigslist for a used set up. Most RV dealers will install and advise you on how to set it up properly based on your TV and trailer combo.

 

[jr37]

I would agree with Dave_B on this. With the size of your tow vehicle, I think it would be wise to have the sway bar and the distribution bars.

 

[Deleted member 10829]

Several years ago I had an Expedition with the 5.4L, towing package etc. When I purchased a 24' 4 placed enclosed trailer, the back squated too much and I lost too much control in the steering. I went to a trailer hitch company and they set me up with a stabilizer hitch and it made a huge difference. I could pull it over 70 mph no problem on 35north to Duluth.

 

[Dave_B]

This is all you need. Plus an anti-sway bar. Easy to install and set up. You just need to make sure you have a brake controller and the truck has it activated. Must don't from the factory. Mine just needed a $6.00 fuse. Not sure what yours will need. I don't know how to drive a Ford.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/rvs/3799914109.html

 

[garyl62]

This is all you need. Plus an anti-sway bar. Easy to install and set up. You just need to make sure you have a brake controller and the truck has it activated. Must don't from the factory. Mine just needed a $6.00 fuse. Not sure what yours will need. I don't know how to drive a Ford.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/rvs/3799914109.html

Thanks Dave, I've seen a few of them too. Also seen some new ones from about $295. One concern I have is how they will mount on the trailer I'm looking at http://neotrailers.com/products_trailers_nasr.php as the "A" frame is fully covered by the trailer enclosure. Not sure if the brackets slip over the frame, but that couldn't happen with this trailer. Then I thought about bolting them through the frame, but I'm not sure the ramp door will clear if I do that.

Decided I just need to wait till I get a trailer so I can see exactly what I'm working with before I pick some of these up. Probably won't get a trailer till August unless I find a used one before then.