Rockwood pups and Weight Distribution Hitches

[dakranii]

Hello,

Background
Considering buying a 2008 Rockwood 2318 and towing it with a Dodge Caravan. The Caravan has a 4.0L engine, tow package, and I've had a Class III hitch install.

The biggest concern I have is the height of the hitch. The Caravan's rear sits low, so the hitch sits less than a foot off the ground unloaded. We put a 1600 pound Jayco on to test the sag and it lowered another few inches, giving me maybe 5-6" of ground clearance.

So I'm fairly sure I need a WDH to balance out the sag of the van. I've also considered, and will assess, whether I need airbags.

Question
My question is, I've come across conflicting information on whether or not Rockwood PUPS can handle a WDH. Apparently they do/did come with a frame that a WDH would damage. I can't find direct information on whether this is true or not, and whether the 2008s are post/pre the change that makes them WDH compatible.

Thanks for any info/suggestions you might have!

[Happy Vibe]

One way you can tell, put is not 100% rule , is if it has a C channel frame it will most likely not be compatable with a WDH.
Are you 100% sure your caravan has the tow package. The tow package has a hitch so I'm not sure why you had to add one, or did you just upgrade?

[itat]

I would think you could use a WDH with that pup. If you're pulling it with a Caravan, you might want to consider getting some air bags to help the rear suspension first. That's what we did with our 2005 Toyota Sienna when we had our Coleman pup. With the Air Lift 1000 air bags pumped to 35 psi we didn't need the WDH.

[Talonman]

I use one on my Flagstaff HW27SC, in fact I went all in and did a Reese DC setup and it tows awesome.

The WDH may not solve you problem as the back will not come up to the factory height, if you went down 6 you will only come up 3 maybe and the shank may hit the ground depending on the style. You may need airbags and the WDH, the WDH is not to level out your sag it is to help load the front of the vehicle so even with airbags back up to correct height the front is still light.

[bikendan]

Reese makes the 350 Mini WDH specifically for popups and other smaller single axle trailers:

Reese 350 Mini-Lite Weight Distribution System w Sway Control for Light-Duty, A-Frame Trailers Reese Weight Distribution RP66024

[dakranii]

Originally Posted by Happy Vibe

One way you can tell, put is not 100% rule , is if it has a C channel frame it will most likely not be compatable with a WDH.
Are you 100% sure your caravan has the tow package. The tow package has a hitch so I'm not sure why you had to add one, or did you just upgrade?

Not 100% sure, but 99% sure. We bought the van used and it had the original window sticker in it showing the tow package as part of the plan and the wiring for a trailer included in a MOPAR parts bag.

As for the C-channel, the Rockwood I'm looking at is unfortunately 3+ hours away on craigslist. I suppose I need to ask the seller.

Originally Posted by itat

I would think you could use a WDH with that pup. If you're pulling it with a Caravan, you might want to consider getting some air bags to help the rear suspension first. That's what we did with our 2005 Toyota Sienna when we had our Coleman pup. With the Air Lift 1000 air bags pumped to 35 psi we didn't need the WDH.

I was looking into airbags as an option. I thought I'd go with WDH first considering the pup could be pulling weight off the front axle and affect performance. But now I'm wondering if I should do airbags first...

Originally Posted by Talonman

I use one on my Flagstaff HW27SC, in fact I went all in and did a Reese DC setup and it tows awesome.

The WDH may not solve you problem as the back will not come up to the factory height, if you went down 6 you will only come up 3 maybe and the shank may hit the ground depending on the style. You may need airbags and the WDH, the WDH is not to level out your sag it is to help load the front of the vehicle so even with airbags back up to correct height the front is still light.

What's a Reese DC setup? I'm not familiar with the abbreviation.

I think even if the TV came up 3 inches I'd be more comfortable with the tow. I'm looking at getting an 8" riser with the WDH I'm looking at, so that should be sufficient to protect the PUP at least. But you're right, I might need both. My plan was to go with the WDH for sure and airbags if needed after assessing it with the WDH on.

Originally Posted by bikendan

Reese makes the 350 Mini WDH specifically for popups and other smaller single axle trailers

Thanks, I'll take a look at that one. I am fairly set on the Andersen WDH. I really like the product and the reviews seem to backup the company's claims. It might not put the same pressure on the PUP's frame that a traditional round/square bar WDH would? Not sure.

[itat]

A local Dodge dealer should be able to confirm whether or not you have the towing package based on your VIN. You might be able get that info in your Owners manual.

There are likely some members here who have the Andersen hitch but by far the most popular are the Reese and Equal-i-zer brands The Reese DC is a "dual cam" setup with 2 anti-sway bars.

[bikendan]

IMHO, the Equalizer and Reese DC are overkill for a popup.

[Talonman]

Not all pop ups are created equal, mine is huge and heavy lol

That said IMO you can't have enough safety and I wanted my wife to feel safe and the car we were towing with was 350 tongue without and 500 with.

Man it tows nice but yes for most popups it may not be needed.

[Ida Ratherbe Camping]

We used to pull our old Coleman Pup with our 07 Nissan Quest. Had the air lift 1000 bags and a auto leveler. worked great with what we had. It was a 97 Coleman Cheyenne with the front storage. Was kinda squirrely without the bags. especially down hill, even with all the weight on the front of camper.

[dakranii]

the prevailing wisdom here seems to be leaning towards airbags over a wdh for a minivan towing a pup. Maybe I'll go that route and see where the first tow ride gets me. It's certainly cheaper than going the wdh route I was going, which was $450 for the Andersen.

where's a good place to look for airbags? Searching is only showing me airbags for the dashboard.

[am-radio]

Etrailer.com

[dakranii]

Just thought I'd do a follow-up and a thank you.

I went with airbags, got a hitch riser to accommodate for the low rear-end of the van, and bought a 4 pin to 7 pin adapter and successfully installed.

I bought the popup two weeks ago and had no problems towing it half way across the state. Unfortunately it's been sitting in the driveway unused with temperatures below zero preventing me from using. But soon!

So, thanks for the help!

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by dakranii

I went with airbags, got a hitch riser to accommodate for the low rear-end of the van, and bought a 4 pin to 7 pin adapter and successfully installed.

I don't know much, but isn't the 4-pin connector missing the brake controls? i.e. the 4 pin to 7 pin adapter will never tell the trailer brakes that they need to engage. I think you need a brake controller and real 7-pin connector in your van.

I could be wrong, though.

[dakranii]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I don't know much, but isn't the 4-pin connector missing the brake controls? i.e. the 4 pin to 7 pin adapter will never tell the trailer brakes that they need to engage. I think you need a brake controller and real 7-pin connector in your van.

I could be wrong, though.

I think you're right, but I don't think my pup has breaks? I didn't see it in the literature and the previous owner said it did not.

With my adapter I have lines I can run for the other pins in the connector but I didn't see a need to as the lights all function and I assumed that was the only thing I needed.

[Talonman]

If the trailer is 1600 dry I would wanting brakes, not sure the minivan brakes are way over designed.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by dakranii

I think you're right, but I don't think my pup has breaks? I didn't see it in the literature and the previous owner said it did not.

With my adapter I have lines I can run for the other pins in the connector but I didn't see a need to as the lights all function and I assumed that was the only thing I needed.

Ahh, it may not. I wonder why it has a 7-pin connector. Like I said- I really don't know much about this stuff.

[bikendan]

should be easy enough to see if it has electric brakes. look inside the axle.

[itat]

According to this website, your model has electric brakes.
2008 Forest River Rockwood Freedom / LTD 2318G Trailer : Reviews, Prices and Specs : RV Guide

If it has a standard 7 pin plug, it must have electric brakes.

You'd be best to use the trailer's brakes.

[dakranii]

Originally Posted by itat

According to this website, your model has electric brakes.
2008 Forest River Rockwood Freedom / LTD 2318G Trailer : Reviews, Prices and Specs : RV Guide

If it has a standard 7 pin plug, it must have electric brakes.

You'd be best to use the trailer's brakes.

I would agree, I would like to use them. I thought perhaps my model did, but the previous owner said it didn't and he seemed to know the pup well. I'll confirm and if so, run the wiring for it.

On that topic, one of the other connectors in the 7-pin must be for charging the battery while hooked up? Is that the intent, to charge while driving?