Newbie: Understanding which Anti-Sway Hitch to get

[FancyCelery610]

I'm in the process of getting a 2022 WILDWOOD FSX 270RTKX. I'll be towing it with a 2021 Ram 1500 5.7L V8 MDS VVT eTorque. I won't be hauling any toys or anything like that. Will be relatively similar to the dry weight.

Don't know how my truck will handle it but want to get a anti-sway hitch. Not sure what kind to get or anything like that. I've tried to look into them but I get a little confused. Any help is much appreciated.

[Oaklevel]

Welcome to the Forum from Virginia !!!!!

You will be surprised how much over dry weight you will be and I recommend getting a weigh at a CAT scale once you are set up. Dry weight is totally empty as it left the factory with no dealer added options. and if you are going by the advertised dry weight your camper can be more. Better to go closer to gross weight it will be closer to the accurate weight........

I'm seeing dry weight at 6177 which my guess loaded you will easily be well ove 7000 lbs, probably closer to 7500 maybe more.

[itat]

Welcome to the forum, FancyCelery610. Congrats on the new Wildwood.

Based on what I found online the fictional “dry weight” will be around 5600# so you’ll be in the range of 6600# when loaded and ready to go camping as long as you don’t have a “toy” in the back end. Your tongue weight will probably be in the range of 800# to 900#. At 32 ft long and 6600# you’ll be near the comfortable weight carrying limit for you RAM 1500. (That’s different from the towing limit.) I would suggest an Equal-i-zer 4 pt weight distribution hitch. They come in several sizes - you’ll need either the 1000/10000 model or the 1200/12000 model.

[Oaklevel]

Always read the fine print....................

UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight)*- is the typical weight of the unit as manufactured at the factory. It includes all weight at the unit’s axle(s) and tongue or pin and LP Gas. The UVW does not include cargo, fresh potable water, additional optional equipment or dealer installed accessories.
*Estimated Average based on standard build optional equipment.

CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity)** - is the amount of weight available for fresh potable water, cargo, additional optional equipment and accessories. CCC is equal to GVWR minus UVW. Available CCC should accommodate fresh potable water (8.3 lbs per gallon). Before filling the fresh water tank, empty the black and gray tanks to provide for more cargo capacity.
**Estimated Average based on standard build optional equipment.

[FancyCelery610]

Awesome thank you for both answers. @itat I wads looking at the equalizer and thought the 1,000/10,000 was the right one but I read an article saying treat it like "price is right" and don't go over. The way it was worded made it seem like that was wrong, but I guess I read it opposite.
I was also looking at the CURT version on amazon just to get it quicker, but Equalizer seems more durable.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by itat

Welcome to the forum, FancyCelery610. Congrats on the new Wildwood.

Based on what I found online the fictional “dry weight” will be around 5600# so you’ll be in the range of 6600# when loaded and ready to go camping as long as you don’t have a “toy” in the back end. Your tongue weight will probably be in the range of 800# to 900#. At 32 ft long and 6600# you’ll be near the comfortable weight carrying limit for you RAM 1500. (That’s different from the towing limit.) I would suggest an Equal-i-zer 4 pt weight distribution hitch. They come in several sizes - you’ll need either the 1000/10000 model or the 1200/12000 model.

^^ X2 on the 4-Point Equalizer…

[FancyCelery610]

I actually just got off the phone with them and they said I can't take it off the lot unless I have a weight distribution hitch and its only $5 more than the best price I found online for the Equalizer

[itat]

To decide which model to get I’d call Equal-i-zer’s tech support and tell them your trailer will be 7000# and 900# on the tongue and see which model they recommend. It’s probably not a big price difference between the two models.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by FancyCelery610

I actually just got off the phone with them and they said I can't take it off the lot unless I have a weight distribution hitch and its only $5 more than the best price I found online for the Equalizer

The 4 point equalizer is also a WDH….what hitch are they trying to sell you?

[cmoecmoe]

X99 on the Equalizer. Loved mine when I had a bumper pull.

[Road King Russ]

We have a similar truck and use the Blue Ox weight distribution hitch. It also is anti-sway. Very happy with it.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Always read the fine print....................

UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight)*- is the typical weight of the unit as manufactured at the factory. It includes all weight at the unit’s axle(s) and tongue or pin and LP Gas. The UVW does not include cargo, fresh potable water, additional optional equipment or dealer installed accessories.
*Estimated Average based on standard build optional equipment.

CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity)** - is the amount of weight available for fresh potable water, cargo, additional optional equipment and accessories. CCC is equal to GVWR minus UVW. Available CCC should accommodate fresh potable water (8.3 lbs per gallon). Before filling the fresh water tank, empty the black and gray tanks to provide for more cargo capacity.
**Estimated Average based on standard build optional equipment.

Note that batteries are installed at the dealer and hence are not included in the UVW. (I guess they use a loaner battery when towed from the factory.) Typical weight of a single Group 27 FLA battery is 60 lbs. Usually most of it is on the tongue.

I was surprised to see LP gas in your citation, since propane bottles are also installed at the dealer. Could it possibly be that you copied it from a motorhome with built-in tank?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Note that batteries are installed at the dealer and hence are not included in the UVW. (I guess they use a loaner battery when towed from the factory.) Typical weight of a single Group 27 FLA battery is 60 lbs. Usually most of it is on the tongue.



I was surprised to see LP gas in your citation, since propane bottles are also installed at the dealer. Could it possibly be that you copied it from a motorhome with built-in tank?

Pretty sure LP tanks are factory installed on trailers. The dealer fills them.
Batteries on trailers are generally dealer installed items but I think some with 12v only fridges come with a factory battery.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Pretty sure LP tanks are factory installed on trailers. The dealer fills them.
Batteries on trailers are generally dealer installed items but I think some with 12v only fridges come with a factory battery.

Thanks for the correction. I've never had a new trailer. I thought I had learned that on FRF someplace.

So the propane fill, could be 60 lbs. (two 30 lb. bottles) and maybe a 60 lb. battery could be added to UVW, right? Just not the tare weight of the bottles.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Thanks for the correction. I've never had a new trailer. I thought I had learned that on FRF someplace.



So the propane fill, could be 60 lbs. (two 30 lb. bottles) and maybe a 60 lb. battery could be added to UVW, right? Just not the tare weight of the bottles.

I believe that, in recent years, RV manufacturers have been including full LP tank weight in the UVW numbers since it's a known amount.

[njfishing]

I had the Equalizer 4 point and now the Curt Tru Track and I like the Tru Track better… Much easier to adjust the ball angle since you don’t have to take the hitch apart to add and remove washers and it has a cam at the pivot points which attempts to keep the trailer in line with the truck…. Other then that they are built on the same principals and both are of equal and hefty build quality.

[Bob43]

I have the 26RR Graywolf ... you will need a TOUNGUE weight scale for a Toy hauler.... I think they are Tongue heavy Expecting a 1000 lbs of toy behind the axel... Without my bike in my Greywolf I can get to 1400 lbs Tongue wt. very easy. so we have to be extremely careful how we load the with out the bike in the back.... I suggest one of these... Sherline (5780) Trailer Hydraulic Tongue Weight Scale Displays Both 0-2000 Lb. and 0-900 Kg. LM-2000S Very Stable!
37
$139.95 .... BTW good luck and have fun

[CGK]

I am also a fan of the Sherline scale. And if you are willing to spend some extra $ (and go with a very heavy hitch) to eliminate trailer sway, be sure to check out the Hensley Arrow. I've had mine for many years and wouldn't tow without it. ProPride also has a good reputation for eliminating sway, but I have no personal experience with them. I suspect your loaded trailer may be pushing the limits of your half ton truck, but that's another discussion. The Hensley will eliminate the sway, but you still want to stay within the truck's tow capability. Good luck, and safe travels!

[FancyCelery610]

Originally Posted by dalford

The 4 point equalizer is also a WDH….what hitch are they trying to sell you?

So it looks like they would give me the Recurve R3. Is that any good? Should I look to upgrade that in the future?

[SailorSam20500]

Here is a utube of a guy who tested 6 different hitches on his truck/rv.


YMMV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8eY-qbtuJU