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04-28-2019, 06:44 PM
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#21
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,774
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boonebiker
I think a Rockwood GEO Pro would work with your pilot. It is less than 4000 lbs and tows well without a WDH, speaking from experience. I pulled with a Cherokee.
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The only Geo/E-pro that would sleep 4 and could possibly have a loaded tongue under the Pilot's max of 450lbs, is the 19BH.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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04-28-2019, 08:01 PM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: WASHINGTON, ILLINOIS
Posts: 288
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cgarb
We have a 4WD Pilot, with tran. cooler and electric brakes. It pulled the RPod very nicely, but the WDH with sway bar was just too heavy a chunk of lead for backs with herniated disks to deal with anymore. Darn! Not sure if we want to sell one of our cars to buy one to tow. Lots to think about. We rented a car in Santa Barbara when we camped nearby so we could get to places that wouldn't work with the MH. That option isn't available a lot of places we'd like to go. Lots of pros and cons either way, I guess.
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We have been on the road the last 3 1/2 years travelling 40000 miles. We leave home for several months and return to spoil the grandbabies and continue to repeat the process to see our beautiful country. We have a 28 foot Leprechaun and do not tow a vehicle. We rent a car when needed and it works great for us. Never had a problem finding a rental, we use Enterprise because they pick us up. Sometimes we use public transportation like we will in DC in a couple weeks. We like the simplicity of not towing and at 28 foot we can go about anywhere. 6 mores states and we start over. There is a lot of different ways to go and you just have to find what works best for your situation. Safe travels.
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04-28-2019, 08:21 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,481
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I'd use a WDH regardless of weight. We used one with our old pop-up and Yukon XL Denali. Wouldn't tow without it and I drive a 1-ton Dually now.
Some hitches are easier to use than others.. what is the concern with the WDH?
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04-28-2019, 08:23 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Monticello, IL
Posts: 1,696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 007matman
what is the concern with the WDH?
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First sentence of the first post.
__________________
2017 GMC Canyon - CCLB, 4x4, 2.8L Duramax, ARE Z-series shell
2013 Shamrock 21SS
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04-28-2019, 08:30 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,481
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Sorry.. I glazed right over that... What about the Andersen? Isn't that supposed to be a lot lighter?
Someone with one should chime in.
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04-28-2019, 08:31 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Monticello, IL
Posts: 1,696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 007matman
Sorry.. I glazed right over that... What about the Andersen? Isn't that supposed to be a lot lighter?
Someone with one should chime in.
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Already mentioned in this thread a couple of times. [emoji23]
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2017 GMC Canyon - CCLB, 4x4, 2.8L Duramax, ARE Z-series shell
2013 Shamrock 21SS
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04-28-2019, 08:35 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,481
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You da man DieselDrax.. I'll stop now.
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04-28-2019, 08:39 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 432
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselDrax
At 5,500LB and 10+% weight on the tongue you are exceeding the weight-carrying hitch capacity of your truck by not using the WDH. This is stated right on the sticker of your hitch.
If you couldn't tell the difference between using the WDH and not I have to wonder if your WDH is properly set up, too.
You need a WDH with that trailer and truck combo. Make sure it's adjusted according to the F-150 owner's manual.
Also irrelevant to the OP as they have a mid-size SUV with a 4,500LB max tow capacity and 450LB max tongue weight limit even though they have over 1,300LB of payload capacity. My wife has a 2012 Pilot 4WD (really AWD and not 4WD but Honda says 4WD), I've hitched various trailers of ours up to it, the heaviest being a Flagstaff BR28TSC just to relocate it in our driveway (around 3,200LB with a 250-300lb tongue weight) and I wouldn't even tow that with the Pilot without a WDH, the suspension is too soft because it's meant for passenger comfort and not towing/hauling.
It tows our 2-PWC trailer just fine, though.
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You are right, I was likely over the hitch rating by 50-100 lb, with the maximum tongue load listed at 500lb for an F-150. With a weight distribution hitch(WDH) the maximum tongue load is listed at 1220 lb for the F-150. Therefore, I did not over load the vehicle frame or the receiver itself with a 5500lb trailer, assuming 15% tongue weight(825lb), as the 825lb is well under the 1220lb limit.
So why is the standard trailer hitch rated at only 500 lb? It’s to prevent the user from overloading the rear axle. The weight transfer of the WTH is caused by rotational forces centered at the hitch ball. The tensioned chain produces the rotational forces. For the tow vehicle, the chain pulls up on the weight distribution bar. This results in a reduced load on the vehicle rear axle and an increased load on the front axle. For the trailer, the chain pulls down on the tongue which increases the load on the trailer's axle. There isn't much change to tongue weight. I have read a WDH reduces tongue weight 10-15%, maybe 100lb or so for this sized trailer, depending on how tight the chains are stressed. The WDH weighs maybe 60lb or so depending on brand, so maybe 50lb or less is actually reduced from tongue weight of the base trailer.
So did I overload the rear axle? I estimate that with an 825 lb tongue weight that I was still about 300-400 lb under the 1825lb cargo capacity of the vehicle after counting up the stuff in the vehicle. So likely I did not overload the rear axle. However, I won’t know for sure until I get the rig properly weighed which I will now plan to do.
So why didn’t I notice much difference without tightening the WDH chains? Likely the WDH supplied by the dealer doesn’t do a lot of weight transfer. It is possible to oversize a WDH and I figure they installed a relatively weak WDH since my trailer is not much over the limits. Either that or they didn’t know what they are doing. I should hit the scales with and without the WDH.
So my basic point was you need a truck with a bigger unused cargo capacity to pull even a moderate sized trailer without a WDH. Actually if he got a F250 he would have plenty of choices.
__________________
Jeff
2016 APEX 215rbk
2016 F-150 4WD 3.55 3.5l ecoboost
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04-28-2019, 08:44 PM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 9,201
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cgarb
... but the WDH with sway bar was just too heavy a chunk of lead for backs with herniated disks to deal with anymore. ... Lots of pros and cons either way, I guess.
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Unfortunately, you may have already discovered the best solution for backs with herniated disks. The MH is the easiest way to camp with someone with a bad back.
I've watched people hook up tow vehicles and drive tow vehicles onto trailers and it seems to require a bit of strength to tie them down.
We've rented cars in cities when the mh wouldn't do for touring. We've also seen a lot of places where you can catch a ride with a local cab company and car rentals in very small towns. Campgrounds can usually tell you if there is alternative transportation.
Good luck.
__________________
2015 Dynamax REV 24TB class C
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04-29-2019, 01:29 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canton, Michigan
Posts: 1,348
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The needs for a WDH is determined by the tow vehicle, not the trailer. Most tow vehicles (even 3/4 or 1-ton trucks) will want a WDH used when tongue weight exceeds 500 lbs to return lost weight back to the front wheels, to combat lost stability (steering, traction, etc). Other smaller vehicles may require a WDH at lower weights.
So, if you insist on not using a WDH, find a trailer that you like, which you can keep the loaded tongue weight under 500 lbs. Then, find a tow vehicle that actually allows towing that trailer/tongue weight, without a WDH.
This is likely going to put you into a 1/2-ton truck (or comparable full-size SUV), towing a very light, single-axle trailer.
__________________
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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05-06-2019, 07:54 PM
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#31
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 17
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Have you considered an Anderson WDH? Light weight and truly works great. I havce one for sale. I bought a 5th wheel.
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05-06-2019, 08:41 PM
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#32
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,774
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Markb1b
Have you considered an Anderson WDH? Light weight and truly works great. I havce one for sale. I bought a 5th wheel.
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It's already been mentioned 3x in this thread.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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05-06-2019, 09:37 PM
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#33
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: King George Virginia
Posts: 38
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Sounds like a class B Or B+ might be something to think about. Small enough to drive around but some sleep four,especially the B+.
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05-06-2019, 09:43 PM
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#34
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Grammar Pedant
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Frederick, CO
Posts: 1,580
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I'm surprised no one has suggested the Anderson WDH ... it's pretty light weight and might help. Sometimes you can find used ones for sale.
__________________
Every time you use an apostrophe to make a word plural, a puppy dies.
TV: 2019 F-350 Lariat 4WD CCSB 6.7 PSD 3.55, 3,591 lb payload
Former RV: 2018 Rockwood Mini Lite 2504S
Former RV: 2007 Fleetwood/Coleman Utah
Former TV: 2005 F-150 King Ranch 4WD SCrew 5.4L Tow Package
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05-06-2019, 10:30 PM
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#35
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,774
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OK, please read all posts. We have had 2 new posts saying no one has mentioned the Andersen WDH, even though it had been mentioned 3x before.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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05-06-2019, 11:19 PM
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#36
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Eastern NC
Posts: 3,963
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I know what OP is talking about. I broke my back in 1968 when Uncle Sam sent me on vacation. When the TT got too much I bought a class A. Pulled an F150 4x4. What a pain in more than the back. Now we travel 6 - 7 months a year with an F350 pulling a 41' 5er. The only thing I need to bend for is the sewer connection and Waste Master makes that super easy.
__________________
2022 Montana 3855 BR
2019 F350 6.7 4X4 LB Dually
Edgewater 205 EX 150 Yamaha
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05-07-2019, 09:25 AM
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#37
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Grammar Pedant
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Frederick, CO
Posts: 1,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan
OK, please read all posts. We have had 2 new posts saying no one has mentioned the Andersen WDH, even though it had been mentioned 3x before.
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Umm ... jokes? Sarcasm? Anyone? Hence the sunglasses and beer icon?
It was a play on your post above about 3x ...
__________________
Every time you use an apostrophe to make a word plural, a puppy dies.
TV: 2019 F-350 Lariat 4WD CCSB 6.7 PSD 3.55, 3,591 lb payload
Former RV: 2018 Rockwood Mini Lite 2504S
Former RV: 2007 Fleetwood/Coleman Utah
Former TV: 2005 F-150 King Ranch 4WD SCrew 5.4L Tow Package
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05-07-2019, 01:30 PM
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#38
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 6
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Best Answer
Get a 5th Wheel, no WDH required and a much, much easyier tow and park. We had a bumper-pull for years and switched to get a unit much bigger. And as dor towing, its like its not ven there AND NO HEAVY LIFTING REQUIRED.
Good luck
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05-07-2019, 01:59 PM
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#39
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,774
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 67L48
Umm ... jokes? Sarcasm? Anyone? Hence the sunglasses and beer icon?
It was a play on your post above about 3x ...
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My Apologies, missed that on my tablet.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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05-07-2019, 02:35 PM
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#40
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Monticello, IL
Posts: 1,696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skidds
Get a 5th Wheel, no WDH required and a much, much easyier tow and park. We had a bumper-pull for years and switched to get a unit much bigger. And as dor towing, its like its not ven there AND NO HEAVY LIFTING REQUIRED.
Good luck
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I don’t think you fully read the OP’s post and as such missed why a 5th wheel isn’t an option.
__________________
2017 GMC Canyon - CCLB, 4x4, 2.8L Duramax, ARE Z-series shell
2013 Shamrock 21SS
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