Lightest WD hitch + sway control

[cobrageek]

If you check this related post you can see that I'm limited by the tongue weight on my expedition: http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ons-38093.html

I currently have an Eaz-lift WD hitch and a basic friction bar sway control. I haven't weighed it, but looking at shipping weights for others I'm guessing it's around 100lb. I'd love to get a Propride 3p but it is 195lb.

What is the lightest WD + sway system available? Is it do a good job?

The best I've found is the new Andersen system at 60lb and I find it tempting, but I'm a little skeptical of it's sway control. The amount of friction is relative to the tongue weight and not the trailer weight. Hopefully these are a good ratio (10-15%), but not being able to twist a handle and get more is a little unfortunate. I've also heard it has issues with some Atwood couplers and that the sway control braces slide up the A-frame.

Are there any other light WD+sway systems out there capable of 800lb tongue weight?

[Acableguy06]

IMO, get the hitch you want and don't fret about being 50-100 lbs over IF you are fully loaded. And go camping and enjoy the rig.

[thebrakeman]

Yes, I think you are overthinking.
But to answer your question, the lightest WDH kits:
-Anderson: Unproven. There is another thread here, where someone finally started getting some actual weights to see how much weight it can actually distribute. So far, it has not been shown that it can return the front axle weight back to stock (what it was before trailer attached). Also, it's just so new (unproven) yet costs as much or more as a proven system like the Equalizer.
-Single-Bar-400 and mini-350: Too lightweight. Like the names imply, these are TW limited, and are suitable for popups and the like (I used a 400 when I towed a 3000 lbs Coleman popup behind Chrysler minivans).
I think what you have is probably typical for most WDH as far as weight. Equalizer will give you better/integrated sway control, but that is debatable. I say, love the one your with, and go camping!

PS - I suspect there will be areas in the rear of that 23RS for storage that will offset the items you list (in the other thread) which increase TW.

[cobrageek]

Thanks brakeman and cableguy. I think you're probably right. With my basic WD + friction setup I did have a few white knuckle times with our dinky trailer so I'd like to improve the system rather than just upgrade to the next size spring bars. I'm thinking to go with the Reese DC integrated system and I think that is in the 100lb range like my current system but will do a better job of sway control.
Thanks for the advice.

[prof_fate]

I've towed with a 2001 expy using a reese (see my signature) and I"m guessing since my trailer is heaver than yours that the tounge weight is more.
I adjust the bars (800lb) and tot the truck to settle evenly - that moves some tounge weight to the front axle.

My latest challenge is the new TV - longer wheelbase means its much harder to get weight transferred to the front axle and this has P rated tires - the expy had E rated LT tires which made a big difference in how it felt (stability wise)

[ChooChooMan74]

I had bought and never used a Reese 350. If you were local, I would sell it to you. That is if it isnt too small for your trailer.

[cobrageek]

Thanks Prof and choochoo. The reese does sound like a good setup but I'm still debating between that and the equalizer. They both sound like great systems and should work well for my setup and stay around the 100lb mark.

I'm sure the 350 is too smal for my trailer as the dry tongue weight is 499lb. But thanks for the offer. I'm sure you can find someone who can use it (maybe craigslist)

[thebrakeman]

Reese/Drawtite mini-350 is only for small-to-midsize popups at best. 350lbs TW limit divided by 12% = 2900 lbs target trailer weight (loaded). Large popups (12-14ft box) are 3000-4000 lbs loaded.