WDH for HW277

[msweetco]

Hey, any HW277 owners out there using a WDH? I purchased a BlueOx Sway Pro and it seems the a-frame design will not accommodate the clamp on lift brackets. Before I go drilling into the frame I wanted to see what others have done.

TIA,

Michael

[bikendan]

Personally, I think that WDH is overkill for pulling a popup.
Most popup owners use a Reese WDH specific for popups.

[vinmaker]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Personally, I think that WDH is overkill for pulling a popup.
Most popup owners use a Reese WDH specific for popups.

WDH really depends on the tongue weight. Many SUV's require them when the tongue is over 500 or 600lbs.

[Tree Rat]

I bought a 6000# Equalizer unit and can tell you I need to adjust to the minimum weight distribution to stay optimal. TV is a F-150 4x4.
Still like the sway control it provides none the less.
Could only get the trailer side brackets back to 31 inches due to frame cut outs and had to relocate emergency breakaway unit to do so.


TR

[RedLdr1]

The Ford Explorer, even with the OEM Tow Package, requires a WDH when the Tongue Weight (TW) is over 200 pounds. I'm at about 400 pounds TW so I am looking for a decent setup myself...

[pgandw]

We have a 2014 A122 (max gross 3100 lbs) towed by a 2008 Hyundai Entourage (minivan). Test driving at delivery in the dealer's lot showed a lot of bounce and porpoising for both vehicles. Dealer recommended and I accepted install of Equalizer 600/6000 WDH/anti-sway. Propane tank tray (dual tanks) had to be raised 2" to fit the brackets. Even then the brackets are slightly closer to the hitch than factory recommended - the reason for the heavier bars than tongue weight requires.

With the WDH, Entourage rides nearly the same with Aframe in tow as without - very comfortable road car. Wife is even willing to drive towing - handling is really that good, even at 75 MPH. She drove I-80 through Nebraska in 30MPH crosswinds at 65 MPH without complaining - and I was able to catch up on sleep.

Before, we had a 2000 Coleman Westlake PUP behind a 1993 Ford Explorer, no WDH. The PUP would go into sway anytime I got over 62 MPH. Taking the PUP from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe (or on to Colorado) was always a white knuckle experience.

If you have a 300lb + tongue weight, especially on a soft suspension TV, you will be thankful that you spent the money on a good WDH. Anti-sway is always welcome. Wife looks forward to weekend camping trips because we have fun, and no white knuckle moments. WDH - I don't tow without it anymore!

Fred W
camping Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming one long weekend at a time - hope to add Utah and New Mexico in the next year.

[RedLdr1]

Originally Posted by RedLdr1

The Ford Explorer, even with the OEM Tow Package, requires a WDH when the Tongue Weight (TW) is over 200 pounds. I'm at about 400 pounds TW so I am looking for a decent setup myself...

Typo correction! A WDH is required at weights over 350 pounds, not 200, as erroneously stated above.... FYI, Electronic Sway Control is part of the Tow Package...

[Tree Rat]

Fords electronic sway control provides limited sway control by modulating the brakes like the traction control. Does not replace a good mechanical sway control device.

TR

[HONDAMAN174]

If the vehicles anti sway control is active or in use, you are already half way to trouble. get an sway bar installed- save your white knuckles for the 12oz cold ones.

[hbillsmith]

I used an Andersen WDH. Found it much lighter and much easier to put on and take off. Check out their YouTube videos to learn more.

[f5moab]

I guess I would want to know what the TV is? (Might want to add TV and other pertinent information into your signature.)

I personally have never felt the need for a WDH or any sway control device, and that is with a trailer with a high tongue weight of approx. 520 lbs. But I'm towing with a 1/2 ton. And I have towed in some extremely serious cross-winds in UT, ID and WY.

[Corey Straker]

I'm looking into getting a sway control device after I got cut off by a semi on the highway and my 296 started going wild. Thank god for the cars trailer stability control system.

TV is a 2012 Acura MDX Advanced/Entertainment with SH-AWD.

Other than that I have never had much issues with it swaying. Note sure if it's applicable on your vehicle but the MDX Advanced has an adaptive suspension with a Sport/Comfort mode that changes the magnetorehological shocks from super firm to super loose. I have noticed that in comfort mode (loose setup) the trailer will sway a little more so I tend to keep it in "Sport".

[Underthedog]

old setup 2005 Fd Explorer towing '03 Coleman Utah. Reese single bar light duty WDH with Reese sway control bar (one side only). GREAT Setup. Many miles (40000+). no problems except the one time I forgot to tighten sway bar and had avoidance incident that nearly cause me to lose it all.

new setup 2015 Fd Explorer towing '14 FR 2514G. Reese SC (includes sway control) dual bar WDH. Required cutting 2 small notches in the plate covering the hitch triangle, to mount bar ends. FR trailer setup does not allow easy mod for single bar. Few miles behind old TV. Very smooth.

The WDH may not be required, but definitely brings the Explorer back to nice level. The sway control may not be required, but puts the setup into a 'hardly know it is there' mode.

Prior to the above mentioned incident the sway control was a 'nice to have' for me. It made me a believer in the 'Required to have'. The dealer tried to talk me out of it for the new trailer with no chance of success.

ymmv

[RedLdr1]

Underthedog,

I have a 2015 FWD Explorer Limited with the OEM Tow Package and have been debating a WDH. My latest measurements appear to say say I don't need one.

When I measure at the center of the rear wheel well I have 1.5 inches of compression with the trailer connected. (33.25" unloaded / 31.75" loaded) Measuring at the front wheel well I only have .5 inches of rise with the trailer connected. (32" unloaded / 32.5" loaded) If I use Ford's guidelines for adjusting a WDH I'd only be adjusting for .25 inches! That could be darn hard to achieve with link style WDHs!

What do your measurements look like?

[kinma13]

I have a 2014 explorer awd and tow q hw276. Ford guideline says anything over 3500# you need one but if I load the pup fully it max at 3800# so I don't use one bur we notice some sway at 70mph so it's add a sway that we can't back up if connected or get a wdh that has sway built in. We are thinking just deal with the sway cause the TV is a lease and only have 1 more yr the getting a full size truck.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by kinma13

we notice some sway at 70mph so it's add a sway that we can't back up if connected or get a wdh that has sway built in.

You do know that the tires are only rated to 65mph?
Strongly suggest you slow down. I've experienced a blowout with my popup and it's not fun with a single axle trailer.

[Underthedog]

RedLdr1,
Hah! That's the car we just got. not enough miles to tow yet. Inaugural trip was with 05 explorer. Did not bother to measure that one. Still used the wdh though and it makes obvious difference.
Will probably hook up this weekend and will try to remember to get measurements.