New tow vehicle, WDH needed?

AE0MT · 12-31-2018, 09:20 AM

Thanks in advance everyone.
Wife and I bought a Wolf Pup 16BH last August, and quickly installed a Harbor Freight WDH setup onto our 2019 Edge with tow package.
The trailer really was a bit too much for our lovely little Edge, so this December we also got a 2019 Colorado Z71.
Trailer has a 3900 GVWR, and I feel much better about towing that with the Colorado’s 7,000lb tow rating than our Edge’s 3,500lb rating.
http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=177&ShowParent=1&ModelID=1330# Main for reference.

My question is, should we be using the WDH on the Colorado, or is it really not necessary?
Thanks again.

timfromma · 12-31-2018, 09:23 AM

Weight distribution hitches with sway control are always a good idea.

AE0MT · 12-31-2018, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timfromma

Weight distribution hitches with sway control are always a good idea.

This one doesn’t have any added sway control measures.

MR.M · 12-31-2018, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AE0MT

Thanks in advance everyone.
Wife and I bought a Wolf Pup 16BH last August, and quickly installed a Harbor Freight WDH setup onto our 2019 Edge with tow package.
The trailer really was a bit too much for our lovely little Edge, so this December we also got a 2019 Colorado Z71.
Trailer has a 3900 GVWR, and I feel much better about towing that with the Colorado’s 7,000lb tow rating than our Edge’s 3,500lb rating.
Cherokee Wolf Pup 16BHS - Wolf Pup Travel Trailers Travel Trailers / Toy Haulers by Forest River RV for reference.

My question is, should we be using the WDH on the Colorado, or is it really not necessary?
Thanks again.

You can get by with out but recommend you have one . do your self a favor and get the andersen

007matman · 12-31-2018, 10:11 AM

You should use a WDH.

There are many good ones on the market. Fastway E2 is another good one. I really like the trunnion style setups but Andersen is a good one too. You'll find lots of opinions on this and some folks can get really passionate about which is best.

I used a WDH to pull a pop-up with my Escalade. We bought a larger camper (33' Rockwood TT) and continued to use it with the Escalade. When I bought my F-350 Dually I moved it to use it there. Wouldn't tow without it.

AE0MT · 12-31-2018, 10:17 AM

Thanks for the replies guys, but I thought I should clarify that I wasn’t looking to buy another WDH setup, I was looking to see if there was reason to use the one I already have.

This is what I have , for reference.
https://www.harborfreight.com/10000-...tem-67649.html

timfromma · 12-31-2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AE0MT

Thanks for the replies guys, but I thought I should clarify that I wasn’t looking to buy another WDH setup, I was looking to see if there was reason to use the one I already have.

This is what I have , for reference.
https://www.harborfreight.com/10000-...tem-67649.html

That looks like the same hitch I use except mine is made by Husky. You can add sway control with this:

https://www.harborfreight.com/traile...kit-96462.html

woo10-210 · 12-31-2018, 10:36 AM

A WDH is always a good idea but I think that hitch is too much for your trailer. The hitch spring bars are rated for a 1,000 pound tongue weight which is far above the ~400 pound tongue weight of your trailer. That lightweight trailer comes with a much lighter (thinner) frame which could be bent by the 1,000 pound capacity bars.

blackfly · 12-31-2018, 10:38 AM

Try driving it and see how it feels. Only you can decide for sure.

Looking at the specs, you will have ~400lbs tongue weight on your Colorado, and I think that is roughly ⅓ of your overall payload. See how the truck sits and feels when you drive it.

I had a similar setup with a Tacoma and my Nobo which has similar weight. I used a WDH.

Boomerweps · 12-31-2018, 01:39 PM

No, you do not need a WDH. You would only use half the capacity of your current WDH.
That said, a lighter capacity, like a 400-600# unit or slightly more, with built in sway control, would make for a more pleasant and safer tow. You should try towing without the WDH to some local CGs for test purposes. Check for porpoising. Anti-sway can be added by itself using an add on platform under the main tow ball to hold the anti-sway mini-balls. Then just add a friction anti sway like the $30 one from Harbor Freight.

I have the same trailer towed with 2008 Explorer, tow capacity 5225#. My dealer had a used Husky 6-800# WDH with built in anti sway that I bought. I was going to tow the TT home without a WDH to check it out but I got a good deal on this one and they set me up right. Great towing experience. I had previous experience with porpoising on a loaded 3K# box cargo trailer without WDH, same TV. Glad I got the WDH.

pdqparalegal1 · 12-31-2018, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AE0MT

Thanks for the replies guys, but I thought I should clarify that I wasn’t looking to buy another WDH setup, I was looking to see if there was reason to use the one I already have.

This is what I have , for reference.
https://www.harborfreight.com/10000-...tem-67649.html

I use thr same one for 7K trailer, works well for me.

JohnD10 · 12-31-2018, 03:39 PM

I would...

It is an excellent safety factor to have!

BigH · 12-31-2018, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AE0MT

... I was looking to see if there was reason to use the one I already have.

You need to check the manual for your truck...It will tell you when a WDH is required.

llr · 12-31-2018, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigH

You need to check the manual for your truck...It will tell you when a WDH is required.

Even if not required it is still a good idea. With my truck and trailer it is not required but i wouldn't do more then local back roads without a WDH with integrated way control, I use the Blue ox sway pro

BigH · 12-31-2018, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llr

Even if not required it is still a good idea.

WDH is a tool...a fix for vehicles with short wheelbases or vehicles that have handling issues when enough weight is removed from the front axle. Sway control is another tool...it improves handling for trailers on the low end of the tongue weight to trailer weight percentage.

Quote:

With my truck and trailer it is not required but i wouldn't do more then local back roads without a WDH with integrated way control, I use the Blue ox sway pro

Its not required on my truck either and I don't use one...it tows like a dream across the windy plains with crosswinds or though the mountains at 75mph+.

I'm sorry your truck and trailer is uncomfortable on anything more than back roads. Every trailer is different but maybe you need to move some weight around...

llr · 12-31-2018, 05:35 PM

I never said it's uncomfortable but I do strongly believe that it adds a safety margin when things go wrong, hopefully it is never needed

Dirt Sifter · 01-01-2019, 12:35 AM

I agree that WDH is darned good idea. Not required but I use one when towing our R-pod 179 with our 2017 Tacoma. I added a stabilizer to help with the single axle TT. The whole package makes for comfortable travel on mountainous back roads and freeways.

BTW, jealous of your new TV. Nice rig!

rsdata · 01-01-2019, 01:36 AM

If you feel that the trailer porposes when hitting road joints, or your headlights go up in the air when hitting bumps then you NEED the WDH... even if that does not happen then I would use one anyway. I purposely load my travel trailer tongue heavy at 15-16% of total weight which virtually eliminates any sway for any reason. Because of this I use the WDH to help eliminate porpoising on un-even concrete slab interstate roads.

Even though the HFreight has 1000# bars, you do not have to crank them up to the last link in the chain to get a good ride as someone suggested would be a problem.

stealth2715 · 01-01-2019, 04:05 AM

The job of a WDH is not to stop porpoising it is to make towing safer. The tongue weight of a tow behind is all on the hitch ball at least 3 feet BEHIND the rear axle. This weighs down the rear and actually makes the front wheels lighter with less weight on them. Then when you hit the brakes hard or move the steering quickly to avoid something the front wheels can lose grip and you can jacknife the rig. The WDH job is to transfer the LOAD fron the hitch ball forward into the bed and a bit FORWARD of the rear axle. This will plant the front wheels more firmly and make it safer. BEWARE ...too much WDH moves too much weight forward and the rear wheels can unload and also lose grip. With that WDH you have as someone said don't crank it down too much OR you can use just one of the arms tight and one almost loose. With that smaller trailer i doubt youll need the friction stabilizers/s. If the rear seems very bouncy get some good bilstein 5100's on there and they will damp out the ride much better then the cheapo stock ones.

AE0MT · 01-01-2019, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirt Sifter

I agree that WDH is darned good idea. Not required but I use one when towing our R-pod 179 with our 2017 Tacoma. I added a stabilizer to help with the single axle TT. The whole package makes for comfortable travel on mountainous back roads and freeways.

BTW, jealous of your new TV. Nice rig!

Thanks! First time owning a truck, and I’m grinning from ear to ear!

You may also like: