WDH or sway control?

CampinDad · 05-27-2013, 04:37 PM

I got a new HW276 Friday that I'll be towing with my Jeep Liberty. On the way home, it started wagging pretty good at ~60mph. The guys at Camping World recommended the EAZ Lift sway control. I've been reading on here about the Equal-I-zer and the Reese WDH. Is there a consensus on which is best for a TV with a small wheel base pulling a popup?

ChooChooMan74 · 05-27-2013, 04:41 PM

I would say both! There are 2 recommendations. One, is the reese 350, which I have a brand new one that I am looking to get rid of. If you are between RI and DC, let me know.

The 2nd, the reese sc, but this may be overkill.

Both are a WDH with built in sway control.

CampinDad · 05-28-2013, 09:46 AM

All the way down in SC unfortunately. Called the dealer back today and he too recommended the EAZ Lift Sway Control to start with. Said he hasn't put many WDHs on PUPs. Looks like the sway control will be ~$50-60 from Camping World with ~90 install. Suppose worst case I give that a go and then upgrade if still experiencing sway.

w4drr · 05-28-2013, 10:20 AM

For towing our HW296, I have a Husky round bar WDH and a friction sway bar. I keep the weight bars lightly loaded as it doesn't take much given the relatively low tongue weight (~400#), and an old fashioned friction sway bar is generally adequate for a PUP.

Bob

CampinDad · 05-28-2013, 02:12 PM

Thanks Bob.

I was talking to the service guy at Camping World as well as the dealer I bought it from and they presented 2 options.

1. Install a sway bar and then if necessary, follow up with a WDH.
2. Jump to the WDH with sway control.

I opted for #1 and dropped if off today to have the EAZ Lift Sway Control installed. The only concern the CW guy presented was the potential difficulty in getting a WDH to attach due to the propane tanks and winch on the tongue. Do you have a picture of how yours is set up since it sounds like I may end up with the same?

Also, he recommended increasing the rear tire pressure on the TV. My Jeep calls for 34-36psi and he said he typically increases his Tacoma to 45psi before towing. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks again.

Timtation · 05-28-2013, 02:20 PM

We used to have a very light single axle camper. I seldom noted any need for the wd side of the hitch so one time I only used the sway bar. One section of hiway had the exact spacing of expansion joints to harmonic with the axles of the tv and rv. Not only did it make for thoughts of seasickness in the tv but it unrolled the toilet paper and the paper towels in the rv. After that I always used the wd with a light linkage.

ChooChooMan74 · 05-28-2013, 02:20 PM

Well worst case, get the friction and standard WDH. The chains won't be vertical, but as close to vertical as you can get them. My chains on my Reese Dual Cam are not vertical due to my propane tanks.

SCOC · 05-28-2013, 02:37 PM

WDH and sway control is not a bad idea, but I'm wondering if the tongue weight is light. If I read your post right, this tow experience was comming home from the dealer, likely with the unit empty, correct? I see that there is a front storage hatch, once that is loaded up with a couple hundred pounds, it should help the sway.

The specs on the trailer puts the dry tonque weight around 10% overall which is a bit light. Should aim closer to 15%, which it likely will be once you load it up.

A properly loaded trailer will help, then the WDH/sway control should make it rock solid.

CampinDad · 05-28-2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOC

WDH and sway control is not a bad idea, but I'm wondering if the tongue weight is light. If I read your post right, this tow experience was comming home from the dealer, likely with the unit empty, correct? I see that there is a front storage hatch, once that is loaded up with a couple hundred pounds, it should help the sway.

The specs on the trailer puts the dry tonque weight around 10% overall which is a bit light. Should aim closer to 15%, which it likely will be once you load it up.

A properly loaded trailer will help, then the WDH/sway control should make it rock solid.

Hadn't thought about that. Only thing in the front compartment was the small outdoor grill and the power cord...

w4drr · 05-28-2013, 04:18 PM

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of it hitched up, but I did run out and take a picture of one side of the front where you can see the chain hanger for the WDH and the sway control ball mount fit OK. We are assuming the front of your HW276 is identical to our HW296.

Bob

CampinDad · 05-28-2013, 07:20 PM

Looks identical. Thanks Bob!

Picked it up with the sway control installed and was easily able to get it up to 65mph without any wagging.

Last question (for now): does your propane cover stay on when driving? Mine lifts off almost immediately.

tanddc · 05-28-2013, 07:32 PM

I had the same issue with my propane cover on my pup (towing with an escape). Something about the profile launched every time. I just used a bungee cord to hold it down. (A 5 gallon bucket lid made a nice replacement top)

w4drr · 05-28-2013, 08:14 PM

To date we have never had any issue with the propane cover.

Bob

HONDAMAN174 · 05-28-2013, 09:07 PM

Mine started to come off after a few trips. Bought the plastic on and doesn't have that problem anymore.

bradnailer · 05-29-2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HONDAMAN174

Mine started to come off after a few trips. Bought the plastic on and doesn't have that problem anymore.

Same here.

BigBaron · 06-27-2013, 09:33 AM

Did anyone cover over-inflating the TV tires? That's a big no-no. Get better tires.
Someone posted a Goodyear bulletin saying to add 10 psi if traveling over 65 mph, but that's a very unique thing to Goodyear.

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