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Old 04-27-2017, 05:04 PM   #1
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Towing a 26' camper w/o wdh

Hello, I will be picking up a camper in Las Cruces new Mexico and driving back to Houston. Unfortunately the place where Im buying the camper does not the have WDH kit that I want.


I want to buy a WDH the Reese Steadi-Flex 1000 lbs part # 66559

I have not been able to find one locally.

I was wondering if Anyone tows they camper with out a weight distribution hitch.

My tow vehicle is a 2008 Suburban with the Air suspension option. That will help with some of the sag. The camper is a Roo 23Ikss.

I don't want to buy another kit if I can safly tow the camper back home. If I can't then I will have to buy something else =( other than the Reese kit.

thanks in advance for the replies.
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Old 04-27-2017, 05:16 PM   #2
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l ordered my 4 point Equal-i-zer WDH from RV Wholesalers. They had the best price I could find online.

You may be able to get away without weight distribution (personally I wouldn't do it) but you really should have sway control. So I'd order a WDH online and take it with me to install before towing the trailer away. Will the dealer install a WDH if you bring it with you?
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Old 04-27-2017, 05:25 PM   #3
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JMHO... I wouldn't do it. You can get WDH's all over the place fairly inexpensively. You could always sell it afterwards until you get the one you want.
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Old 04-27-2017, 05:45 PM   #4
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Buy the hitch locally or on line and preassemble it. Bring your tools and install the brackets on the trailer or have the dealer do it for you.
If you can't setup and install your own hitch you are going to have a hard time owning a trailer.
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Old 04-27-2017, 06:06 PM   #5
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Buy the hitch locally or on line and preassemble it. Bring your tools and install the brackets on the trailer or have the dealer do it for you.
If you can't setup and install your own hitch you are going to have a hard time owning a trailer.
Installing the WDH is not the problem, getting the WDH that I want before I have to go get the camper is the issue.
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Old 04-27-2017, 06:08 PM   #6
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l ordered my 4 point Equal-i-zer WDH from RV Wholesalers. They had the best price I could find online.

You may be able to get away without weight distribution (personally I wouldn't do it) but you really should have sway control. So I'd order a WDH online and take it with me to install before towing the trailer away. Will the dealer install a WDH if you bring it with you?
fI order on line they kit wont arrive to me before I make the trip
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Old 04-27-2017, 06:25 PM   #7
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I live in Tucson, east of Las Cruces a couple hundred miles. With all the over road trucks and the strong cross winds out of the South my advice would be not to tow without a WDH. Your tow vehicle is marginal at best. I have a 24WAB that my GMC Denali would not tow without overheating. Chevrolet, GMC, and most SUV's have a high speed rear end for better gas mileage and are not suitable to tow anything but a light utility trailer. Check your GVWR etc. on the TV before attempting this for insurance purposes and peace of mind.

Jack
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Old 04-27-2017, 06:28 PM   #8
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I wouldn't want you to be unsafe or have a stressful towing experience. You have a long drive to bring it home. Maybe you can locate what you want somewhere on the way? What WDH brand does the dealer sell?
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Old 04-28-2017, 08:44 AM   #9
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Echoing what everyone has said already, recommend have some sway control device to pull it home. If you're in a pinch you can usually find one on craigslist easily, quickly and cheaply (Especially in Houston, I got my fastway e2 on CL for $100 in like new condition). I've been satisfied with it so haven't bothered to look for an upgrade.

If you are lucky to have a 2500 Suburban I wouldn't hesistate to drop it on the hitch and go. I don't bother with the WD for local camping, but I have a 2500 truck.
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Old 04-28-2017, 08:55 AM   #10
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Please note that while airbags will remove the sag in the rear end they will do nothing to redistribute the tongue weight. That's where the WDH comes in.

I think the money you'll be out after buying another brand of WDH and selling it used pales in comparison the risks you'd be taking if you towed without one.
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Old 04-28-2017, 09:14 AM   #11
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I agree with the recommendations. Best to get something priority shipped to you. If it can't get to you in time for your trip, you can always delay the pickup date.

But if you are bent on doing this anyway:
1. Ask the dealer/seller to give you the TW in it's current condition (I assume empty/dry).
2. Check your Chevy owner's manual, to find out what weight they allow you to tow without a WDH. It's probably 500 lbs. If you are under, or near this weight, then you can have some confidence that you won't be overloading your rear axle.
3. However, the long drive you have home will need sway control. If you are convinced you don't need WDH for this 1-time tow with an empty trailer, have the dealer install a simple friction sway controller for you, just for the drive home. The kit should only be about $50, and maybe that much for them to install.

[Edit: I just looked up the specs on a 23ikss, and it looks like the dry hitch weight is 658 lbs. If your truck's TW limit (weight-carrying) is 500 lbs like most, I would not do this tow without WDH. If that's the case, and you can't get the hitch you want in time, you need to delay the pickup.]
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Old 04-28-2017, 09:26 AM   #12
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Buy the hitch you want and set it up at the dealership. I did this with my own on our first TT, and just last weekend when we set up a Propride for my buddy's new camper. Most of the time you can have the shipping expedited as well.
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Old 04-28-2017, 10:00 AM   #13
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Looks like e-Trailer may have them in stock...did not call

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...FQQIaQodsv0L5w
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Old 04-28-2017, 10:18 AM   #14
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Looks like e-Trailer may have them in stock...did not call

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...FQQIaQodsv0L5w
X2. Call them. You can probably have it in 3 days or less if you're willing to pay for the shipping. Great company to do business with.
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Old 04-28-2017, 10:26 AM   #15
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I have towed ours without the WDH on several occasions. Last time during a stiff crosswind on the interstate. Slowed down and was fine...did have a few interesting moments. Similar truck, (you have the factory tow package?) same TW, your 3 foot longer and 1000 Lbs heavier. So yes you can tow it.....BUT... your up for a more comfortable ride over that distance with a WDH.
I would Order it on line and have it shipped to the dealer so its waiting on you, Or call a Reese installer near the dealer and have them get one.
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Old 04-28-2017, 11:11 AM   #16
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I've towed a lot of trailers over the years....

Everyone has different risk tolerance and comfort levels...

WDH are great but not the holy grail of towing. Watch the guys delivering these units to the dealerships almost zero are using WDH hitches with the bars installed. If conditions are windy, slow down.

I cannot use WDH on my TV without voiding the manufacturers warranty. I do use sway control and just drive like an old fart - I'm on vacation - so I slow down when conditions warrant and I'm very diligent in monitoring how we load the trailer and how much water we carry to avoid exceeding max vehicle tongue weight.

Enjoy your new unit...

Peace,
Don
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Old 04-28-2017, 11:22 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustB_Rad View Post
Buy the hitch you want and set it up at the dealership. I did this with my own on our first TT, and just last weekend when we set up a Propride for my buddy's new camper. Most of the time you can have the shipping expedited as well.
X 2 Later RJD
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Old 04-28-2017, 11:32 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by Champ203 View Post
I've towed a lot of trailers over the years....

Everyone has different risk tolerance and comfort levels...

WDH are great but not the holy grail of towing. Watch the guys delivering these units to the dealerships almost zero are using WDH hitches with the bars installed. If conditions are windy, slow down.

I cannot use WDH on my TV without voiding the manufacturers warranty. I do use sway control and just drive like an old fart - I'm on vacation - so I slow down when conditions warrant and I'm very diligent in monitoring how we load the trailer and how much water we carry to avoid exceeding max vehicle tongue weight.

Enjoy your new unit...

Peace,
Don

Thanks for the input. I may just cut my losses and buy whatever system they have at the dealer...
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Old 04-28-2017, 12:00 PM   #19
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that is about the same size trailer I had and it was very stable with a cheap old style WDH, once I had it set up properly, it took a couple of tries. This was even with a 2003 Dodge Durango which was overloaded and under powered. you should be fine with any WDH that is properly setup.
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Old 04-28-2017, 12:01 PM   #20
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What systems do they have in stock?
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