Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-02-2016, 11:50 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Orion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 172
On the fence to wdh or not to wdh with 21ds

So I have a 1200# round bar wdh now I used on the previous trailer. Even with lower bars this seems like overkill for the new trailer.

The new trailer is a micro lite 21ds dry 4,150#. Tw of about 550.
Tv is a tundra 5.7 ltr with factory receiver, 1,100# max, payload max around 1,440#. Has airbags.

Do I need a 600-800# wdh really?
I weigh 220 and can jump all over the bumper without it moving much at all.

I'd like to just use an adjustable with the ear for a sway bar...


Sent from my iPad 18 using Forest River Forums
__________________
2017 Flagstaff FLT21DS
2011 Tundra Platinum, 5.7l, 2WD, Firestone bags...
Orion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2016, 11:52 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
raspivey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brazoria County, Texas
Posts: 1,460
It's not so much the squat as it is the front end lift. I'd measure the front fender wells before and after without WDH and, if it came up more than 1/8 to 1/4 inches, I'd use one.

I use 600 lb bars on my 2104S with the Tahoe and it weighs just a little less than you. Ride difference is noticeable on wet roads if not so much on dry. Definitely more planted.
__________________
2015 Chevy Silverado LTZ - HD tow package
2017 Rockwood 2703WS Emerald Edition
raspivey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2016, 12:10 PM   #3
Member
 
BigDaddy1967's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Wasilla, Alaska, USA
Posts: 51
What is the GVR of the trailer? I don't put too much stock in dry weight, other than it is a reference point. Once you start added dishes, water, propane, bedding, food, beer and cleaning product, all of the stuff adds up to the trailer weight.

What is the GVR of the Tundra? GAWR of front and rear axles? What is the GAWR of the trailer axle(s)?

I have found many recommendations that if the trailer is 5000#, WDH is required, or strongly recommended.

Depending on your WDH, it is likely you can get lighter bars, better matched for your load. The benefit of the WDH is that it buys you the flexibility is transferring TV load to the front axles, in addition to safety of reducing sway. WDH's are inexpensive. Just had a Blue Ox Pro series WD/sway hitch on the my trailer. Dealer installed in 15 minutes, no holes were drilled, I could have even installed it myself. The dealer soaked me $700, and I have no problem paying for safety.

As a starting point, I would take your truck to a scale to determine total weight, and distribution of weight between front and rear axles then compare to the weight rating on the placard. Be mindful about how much stuff you have in your truck, and fuel. I am quickly learning, safe towing is starts with weight management.
__________________
2014 Ford F250 Super Duty, 6.7L Diesel, Ultimate Lariet package
2016 Forest River, Heritage Glen 272RL
BigDaddy1967 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2016, 12:19 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 446
I'm pulling the same trailer as you with a Blue Ox SwayPro. The SwayPro hitch can be used with any one of the 6 available spring bar sets ranging from 350# to 2000# tongue weight. I cannot definitively remember which spring bars I use...I think it is either the 750# or the 1000# bars...so I will double check and let you know later today.

With that said, I highly recommend a wdh, whether BO or not...and I DO highly recommend the BO...easy adjustment, no separate sway bar and no special accommodations for backing. The profile of my TV/TT is absolutely level and, most importantly, the TV/TT move as one unit in all conditions. Not once have I experienced any sway even in 25-30 mph head/cross winds or when passing/being passed by larger vehicles. And emergency braking has been straight and true.

Otherwise, I hope you enjoy your 21DS as much as we enjoy ours.

BTW, did you get the Murphy bed option?
__________________
2016 Microlite 21DS
2014 Ram 1500 QC 6 cyl. 8 spd.
Blue Ox SwayPro
windsurfdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2016, 12:56 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Orion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 172
On the fence to wdh or not to wdh with 21ds

I went ahead and ordered a centerline ts
This way I can eliminate the sway bars I used on the old one
__________________
2017 Flagstaff FLT21DS
2011 Tundra Platinum, 5.7l, 2WD, Firestone bags...
Orion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2016, 08:17 AM   #6
rvb
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: IN
Posts: 97
you'll be happy you did. I had the same reservation.
My trailer is even lighter. dry weight of 3100 and listed dry tongue weight of 400. Towed by F150.

I had about 90 minutes total towing time w/o the wdh and w/ the trailer empty, so I got to experience how it rode.

Last weekend I installed a 1k Fastway e2 w/ the trunnion bars ($360 from amazon). Even just taking it around the block I could tell a huge difference in handling and stability. I can see why folk say to just get one. And that was w/o the battery installed, w/o being loaded for camping, w/o coolers and lawn chairs, etc. All the storage on the camper is up front, and I've estimated the tongue weight will be near 800lb when loaded.

In the process, I learned my truck hitch's tongue weight limit is 500lb w/o a wdh, so I would have exceeded that once loaded. w/ a wdh the limit is around 1100lb. You might check the manual or tow guide for your truck.

-rvb
__________________
Ryan V. B.
2017 FR Wildwood XLite 195BH
2010 F-150 4x4, 4.6L
rvb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2016, 12:20 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
wnelsonfl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Mount Dora FL
Posts: 179
I have a 21 FRBS. 4800 # dry. Hugh difference with WDH. I use an equalizer.
__________________
Warren
2014 Silverado Z71 4x4- 5.3
Flagstaff 21 FRBS
235 nights camping this past 30 months
31000 miles
wnelsonfl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2016, 03:57 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
thebrakeman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canton, Michigan
Posts: 1,348
Quote:
Originally Posted by Orion View Post
So I have a 1200# round bar wdh now I used on the previous trailer. Even with lower bars this seems like overkill for the new trailer.

The new trailer is a micro lite 21ds dry 4,150#. Tw of about 550.
Tv is a tundra 5.7 ltr with factory receiver, 1,100# max, payload max around 1,440#. Has airbags.

Do I need a 600-800# wdh really?
I weigh 220 and can jump all over the bumper without it moving much at all.

I'd like to just use an adjustable with the ear for a sway bar...


Sent from my iPad 18 using Forest River Forums
Loaded you'll be 5000-5200 lbs, and 600-650 lbs TW.
800 lb WDH kit would be perfect for you.
1000 lbs kit would be overkill, but likely not too harsh.
1200 lbs would be a pretty stiff ride, as the spring bars aren't gonna "spring".
__________________
thebrakeman ('70), DW ('71), DD ('99), DD ('01), DD ('05)
2004 Surveyor SV261T (UltraLite Bunkhouse Hybrid)
2006 Mercury Mountaineer V8 AWD Premier
Equal-i-zer WDH (10k), Prodigy Brake Controller
thebrakeman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2016, 06:26 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 446
To follow up on my previous post, I have the 750# spring bars on my Blue Ox and it feels just right to me.
__________________
2016 Microlite 21DS
2014 Ram 1500 QC 6 cyl. 8 spd.
Blue Ox SwayPro
windsurfdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2016, 08:03 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
CaptnJohn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Eastern NC
Posts: 3,963
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebrakeman View Post
Loaded you'll be 5000-5200 lbs, and 600-650 lbs TW.
800 lb WDH kit would be perfect for you.
1000 lbs kit would be overkill, but likely not too harsh.
1200 lbs would be a pretty stiff ride, as the spring bars aren't gonna "spring".
An 800# would work but I'd prefer 1000#. An Equalizer 4 point with sway would be my only choice. just my 2cents....
__________________
2022 Montana 3855 BR
2019 F350 6.7 4X4 LB Dually
Edgewater 205 EX 150 Yamaha
CaptnJohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2016, 02:27 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 153
Quote:
Originally Posted by Orion View Post
I went ahead and ordered a centerline ts
This way I can eliminate the sway bars I used on the old one
👍 Your safety and road handling will be greatly improved.
__________________

2014 Coachmen Brookstone 325RL
2015 Chev Silverado 2500 Diesel.
ottawapaul is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:52 AM.