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04-27-2017, 05:04 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 131
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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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04-27-2017, 05:16 PM
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#2
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Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,229
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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?
__________________
2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019 - 2022)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2015 - 2018)
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)
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04-27-2017, 05:25 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Union, Missouri
Posts: 367
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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.
__________________
2018 PUMA 31 BHSS
2017 RAM 2500 LARAMIE 6.4 HEMI 4X4
E2 WDH
Troy, Josie and our 2 K9 co-pilots Breck and Maggie
USN 86-92
3 nights camped so far in 2020
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04-27-2017, 05:45 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 672
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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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04-27-2017, 06:06 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 131
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MtBiker
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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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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04-27-2017, 06:08 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 131
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Quote:
Originally Posted by itat
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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fI order on line they kit wont arrive to me before I make the trip
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04-27-2017, 06:25 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Oro Valley AZ
Posts: 437
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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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04-27-2017, 06:28 PM
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#8
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Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,229
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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?
__________________
2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019 - 2022)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2015 - 2018)
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)
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04-28-2017, 08:44 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Conroe, TX
Posts: 333
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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.
__________________
2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn LvL2 Quad Cab 4x4 5.7L 3.92
Trailer Steering and Integrated Trailer TPMS
GVWR: 7100
GAWRF: 3900 GAWRR: 4100 GCWR: 17,000
Payload Sticker: 1,867 lbs Tow Capacity: 11,767 lbs
Towing a nice 5th wheel near you
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04-28-2017, 08:55 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 967
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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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2012 Rockwood Ultra-Lite 2701SS, Goodyear Endurance LRD, ProPride 3P 1400 hitch
2013 F-150 FX4 7700# GVWR SuperCrew 3.5L EcoBoost 157" WB Max Tow 3.73:1
John, Dawn and Emily... and Bella the camping kitty
visit our website at www.restcure.ca
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04-28-2017, 09:14 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canton, Michigan
Posts: 1,348
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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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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
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04-28-2017, 09:26 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 677
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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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2016 Grey Wolf 26DBH following a 2014 RAM 1500 Outdoorsman
Life is good...Live it!
Nights Camped - (2014) - 16 in 6 trips (2015) - 20 in 6 trips
(2016) - 21 in 7 trips
(2017) - 12 in 3 and going seasonal for at least the rest of the year!
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04-28-2017, 10:00 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,916
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Looks like e-Trailer may have them in stock...did not call
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...FQQIaQodsv0L5w
__________________
2017 Puma 297RLSS
2005 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel SMOKER!!
I love puns, irony and tasteless jokes...
born in Texas.... live in Arkansas
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04-28-2017, 10:18 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iwannacamp
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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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2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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04-28-2017, 10:26 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: WNC
Posts: 560
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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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Retired Paramedic
2020 FSX 280RT
2005 Silverado 1500 Ext cab 5.3 H.O.
2011 HD Road King
Nights camped since 2019.....all of Em...Homes a 2001 Sea Breeze 36' 5 ER
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04-28-2017, 11:11 AM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Aiken, SC
Posts: 20
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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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04-28-2017, 11:22 AM
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#17
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,293
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustB_Rad
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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X 2 Later RJD
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
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Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
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04-28-2017, 11:32 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 131
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Champ203
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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Thanks for the input. I may just cut my losses and buy whatever system they have at the dealer...
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04-28-2017, 12:00 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,670
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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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04-28-2017, 12:01 PM
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#20
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Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,229
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What systems do they have in stock?
__________________
2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019 - 2022)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2015 - 2018)
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)
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