WD hitch needed?

[dan4jeepin]

Sure this gets asked a lot but I'm having trouble deciding if I need WD hitch or not. I've towed heavy offroad vehicles and excavators with this truck and never even thought about getting one but many people say that TT catch so much wind that you need one. I bought the new camper from RVW so I won't have it for at least a week so I can't test anything out until right before a big trip I have planned the week of 4th of July. If you think a WD is needed what would you recommend? Trying to stay cheap and simple since I'm spending so much $$ right now.

TT info
GVWR 6,900 lbs

Dry Weight 4,334 lbs

Hitch Weight 530 lbs

Length 25' 7"

Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab Tow Ratings has tow package with class IV hitch
5.7L HEMI
4x4 Short Bed Curb Wt 6,072 Tow Wt 8,850 GCWR 15,000
Payload 2730

[Wobbles]

I would say yes you do but others might not.

Your state may have laws that require it when the trailer is over a certain weight.

[mopwr4me2003]

I would just for safety reasons. You never know what could happen. The extra $500-700 could save you from a accident and possibly costing you a truck, TT, and injury. Most people on here seem to like the 4 point equalizer hitch but there are so many to choose from just do your research. Dealers will sell you one and set it up for you but will cost you a little more $. Good luck!

[SeaDog]

I also haul heavy loads without a WDH, the reason I have the WDH on my TT is so that the trailer travels level so less wear and tare on tires and such. Your 2500 will have no problem either way. Most WDH do have a sway option I have never installed mine just load correctly

[itat]

Those with a 3/4 ton truck can probably answer your question better than I can, but if the actual loaded hitch weight is only 530#, you could probably get away with not needing the weight distribution. However, I'd still suggest you should have sway control for a trailer that size so you may end up getting the WDH anyway.

[325BH]

For trucks that have beefy rear springs (3/4 and up), the primary reason for a WD is to get weight back on the front... which gets removed anytime you put weight behind the rear axle.

500 lbs tongue weight may not matter.

For my F250 that is normally level, I would be sagging without a WD. (Of course my TT is 11k lbs too.)

For modern 2500's that have their rear ends jacked up, a little sag won't hurt. In these cases, WD is for front end and anti-sway.

Lots of love for WD with built-in sway on the forums. Not many use the separate sway bars... however, the sway bars have much more control than the WD themselves. I use both.


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[mrpep]

Originally Posted by dan4jeepin

Sure this gets asked a lot but I'm having trouble deciding if I need WD hitch or not. I've towed heavy offroad vehicles and excavators with this truck and never even thought about getting one but many people say that TT catch so much wind that you need one. I bought the new camper from RVW so I won't have it for at least a week so I can't test anything out until right before a big trip I have planned the week of 4th of July. If you think a WD is needed what would you recommend? Trying to stay cheap and simple since I'm spending so much $$ right now.

TT info
GVWR 6,900 lbs

Dry Weight 4,334 lbs

Hitch Weight 530 lbs

Length 25' 7"

Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab Tow Ratings has tow package with class IV hitch
5.7L HEMI
4x4 Short Bed Curb Wt 6,072 Tow Wt 8,850 GCWR 15,000
Payload 2730

Ive read that anything over 4000 should have a wdh.

[SeaDog]

Originally Posted by mrpep

Ive read that anything over 4000 should have a wdh.

Who ever wrote what you read needs to go back and rethink their statement. My F350 @ 7100 lbs does not need a WDH pulling 4K lbs of trailer. with that said if the tow vehicle was very light it might.

We pull heavy trailers around here all the time without WDHs.

[youroo]

If your buying from "RVW" they have the best$ on Hitches! Even though your unit is ONLY 26' long you Need Sway Control,this is a "BEFORE NEEDED" item Not After! RVW sells LOTS of "Equilizer Hitchs with Built In SC" buy one while there ! Youroo!!

[Rhody]

Originally Posted by dan4jeepin

Sure this gets asked a lot but I'm having trouble deciding if I need WD hitch or not. I've towed heavy offroad vehicles and excavators with this truck and never even thought about getting one but many people say that TT catch so much wind that you need one. I bought the new camper from RVW so I won't have it for at least a week so I can't test anything out until right before a big trip I have planned the week of 4th of July. If you think a WD is needed what would you recommend? Trying to stay cheap and simple since I'm spending so much $$ right now.

TT info
GVWR 6,900 lbs

Dry Weight 4,334 lbs

Hitch Weight 530 lbs

Length 25' 7"

Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab Tow Ratings has tow package with class IV hitch
5.7L HEMI
4x4 Short Bed Curb Wt 6,072 Tow Wt 8,850 GCWR 15,000
Payload 2730

HUSKY CENTERLINE

[Rhody]

Originally Posted by youroo

If your buying from "RVW" they have the best$ on Hitches! Even though your unit is ONLY 26' long you Need Sway Control,this is a "BEFORE NEEDED" item Not After! RVW sells LOTS of "Equilizer Hitchs with Built In SC" buy one while there ! Youroo!!

Note...
If you buy Husky Centerline No SwayBar Needed!!!
And you can back up with Husky CL!

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Rhody

Note...
If you buy Husky Centerline No SwayBar Needed!!!
And you can back up with Husky CL!

The EQ Hitch I stated has it ALL built IN also,and NO need to Remove bars either! I dont know what all RVW sells or Installs in regards to Other Hitchs! Youroo!!

[dan4jeepin]

Seems like I'm on the bubble of one being useful or not so I went ahead and got a fastway e2 on order to be on the safe side. Seemed to be a good comprise on price and features.

Thanks for everyone's advice.

[OntarioFireFighter]

Originally Posted by dan4jeepin

Seems like I'm on the bubble of one being useful or not so I went ahead and got a fastway e2 on order to be on the safe side. Seemed to be a good comprise on price and features.

Thanks for everyone's advice.

I've got an e2 with 800# round bars - works well...

TV is a '15 F350 6.7 CC SB, Tow package, 5th wheel prep, etc, etc...

TT is a '14 Grey Wolf 28BH - 32' tongue to bumper; about 8500# loaded and rolling.

I don't necessarily need the WDH - the truck is heavy enough, and doesn't sag much with the trailer on; but the sway control alone is worth it, and no problems backing up with the e2 engaged.

You made a good choice, I think!

[Malabarbob]

They are relatively inexpensive and good piece of mind. I look at it as a cost avoidance just in case....
I have about the same size trailer with an F-150 Laredo so not doubt in my mind I needed it.

[Mountndream]

My truck is very similar...

For very short trips (under an hour) i don't bother

for anything longer, i hook up the WDH and Sway bar... mainly for the Sway control

[northstar1960]

Originally Posted by dan4jeepin

Sure this gets asked a lot but I'm having trouble deciding if I need WD hitch or not. I've towed heavy offroad vehicles and excavators with this truck and never even thought about getting one but many people say that TT catch so much wind that you need one. I bought the new camper from RVW so I won't have it for at least a week so I can't test anything out until right before a big trip I have planned the week of 4th of July. If you think a WD is needed what would you recommend? Trying to stay cheap and simple since I'm spending so much $$ right now.

TT info
GVWR 6,900 lbs

Dry Weight 4,334 lbs

Hitch Weight 530 lbs

Length 25' 7"

Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab Tow Ratings has tow package with class IV hitch
5.7L HEMI
4x4 Short Bed Curb Wt 6,072 Tow Wt 8,850 GCWR 15,000
Payload 2730

I would say you'll be fine with out one but you may have sway issues etc . if so don't watse your money on all the bar type greasy wd hitches with added sawy control just get the Andersen wd easy set up no sway built in no bounce built in only 60 lbs total weight instead of 150 like the others . it will serve you well

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Mountndream

My truck is very similar...

For very short trips (under an hour) i don't bother

for anything longer, i hook up the WDH and Sway bar... mainly for the Sway control

For the life of me I don't know how you people know that you will NOT Need Sway control on a Trip under a hour! It must be nice to "See Into The Future"! Youroo!!

[Mountndream]

Originally Posted by youroo

For the life of me I don't know how you people know that you will NOT Need Sway control on a Trip under a hour! It must be nice to "See Into The Future"! Youroo!!

well, since I am in the City, it takes an hour to get anywhere that could be defined as an open road where a semi could even plan on blowing by me. when I do hit that little country road, not too worried about the Sway Control because my truck is bigger than my camper

The OP asked what we do... thats what I do.. probably should put it on every time, but I don't and I am being honest

[SeaDog]

Originally Posted by Mountndream

well, since I am in the City, it takes an hour to get anywhere that could be defined as an open road where a semi could even plan on blowing by me. when I do hit that little country road, not too worried about the Sway Control because my truck is bigger than my camper

The OP asked what we do... thats what I do.. probably should put it on every time, but I don't and I am being honest

You are correct and you told the OP what you do. It seems a good share of folks think as soon as you hook up to a travel trailer you have to have sway control and wdh or you are not safe, which is just not true.