WDH help

[Camp Dawg]

Just got a new to me camper roo 19 hybrid. need to get a WDH.
TV is 2001 f-150 screw 4x4 5.4L
camper GVW is 4639.
will have 5 people a a dog in TV. some wood and bikes in bed rest of stuff in camper.
I have a lot to buy so price is considered.
most of driving will be within 200 miles.

the 2 models I am looking at are the equilizer and the fastway e2 trunion bar
same company same basic design just 4 pt vs 2pt sway control.

the nice thing about the e2 is the family we camp with has the e2 also so setup would be a breeze with him there to help out.

since the camper is only 19ft long and only 4639lbs would I be ok with 10k WDH fastway e2. if the camper was long i think it would be a no brainer to get the equilizer.

[bikendan]

Yes you'd be ok with E2 but maybe not if you ever got a bigger trailer.
I have a Roo 23SS and I'm very happy that I have my 4pt Equalizer.

[Camp Dawg]

It will be awhile before we get a new camper.. My buddy has the 21ss and he likes the e2

[thebrakeman]

Size wise, your camper is about 3600 lbs dry. Adding 800 lbs (typical conservative number for a small hybrid) = 4400 estimated loaded weight. Times 12.5% = about 550 lbs estimated TW. I usually don't like to recommend being within 100 lbs of the TW limit on a WDH, for fear of a a poor "porpoising" ride. That means skipping the 600 lbs unit. But Equalizer does not make an 800 lbs unit. But I'd be afraid that the 10k unit might be too stiff of a ride.

My recommendation would be to contact Equalizer customer service, and confirm that a 10k unit (E2 or 4pt) is OK to use for your estimated TW (~4400).
If it's OK to use the 10k, then get the 4pt, as this will be something you can use for this trailer and the next, with better sway controller when you get something longer and heavier.

If they say you need to stick with the 600 lbs unit, then you might as well stick with the E2 to save some money now, since the larger trailer would need a higher rating down the road anyway.

In short, E2 is probably OK for this short trailer, compared to your tow vehicle. But I would want to give yourself the best option to keep the WDH for use on your potential next camper.

[windsurfdog]

You might consider a Blue Ox Swaypro with 750# spring bars. A little more expensive but worth the cost IMHO. And the spring bars, which are sized 350#, 550#, 750#, 1000#, 1500# and 2000#, are interchangeable and can be purchased separately for future needs. $.02

[BigDaddy1967]

X2, Blue Ox is easy to install and adjust, and not noisy. It was 700 installed by the dealer, but after watching him install, I could have done it myself in about 15 minutes. You can buy online for 600.


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[GalsofEscape]

Actually the e2 does have an 800 lb bar available, that was what the dealer initially installed on my set up, you should ask about it.
In my case, the dealer was supposed to put on the E4 - so they switched it out this week. The E4 does not have the 800 lb bars, so had to go with the 1000 bars. Stiffer ride but a better setup for my 25 foot hybrid.

[rvb]

my trailer is even lighter (3000 empty by the literature, 3900 gross max), and I just installed a 1k E2 ($360 from Amazon).

I don't have much time with it, just 30 minutes taking the trailer back to storage after I installed it, but so far, I'm not regretting it at all. It's a tad stiff now, but I think it'll be perfect once ready to camp (full weight added to camper and truck)

Don't forget the weight of stuff in the truck behind the axles counts as tongue weight, which for us is usually the heavy coolers so we can get to them on the road. That can be another 100lb or more.

After looking at where the storage and water tanks are in my trailer, estimating weights of items and ballparking how much of that would end up on the tongue, adding in stuff by the tailgate in the truck, I estimated I was going to be in the 700+ range, so I decided to skip the 800lb hitch.

The E2 was very easy to install. Took about 2 hrs, incl a test drive. I bought a 3/4" ratchet/socket set for $75 from Tractor Supply so between that and a large crescent wrench I had tools for everything on the hitch, incl the ball.

-rvb

[thebrakeman]

Good point about stuff in the bed. Not technically "tongue weight", but anything behind the axle will have the same effect as TW, as far as the vehicle and WDH kit are concerned.

[jgourlie]

I would say E2 trunnion 6000lb hitch setup and call it good. If you had an Suv for towing I would say go upto the 8000lb setup as the suspension would be alot softer on an Suv.

Hope that helps,

[Big Red and 30WR]

Maybe a dumb question , but how do you weigh the weight behind the TV rear axle? Some trips in the future I maybe adding a 700 pound atv with a row of firewood in front of the atv up against the cab. Would two different weight rated bars be a ideal set up for this depending on whats in the truck bed ?

[thebrakeman]

No. WDH kits have a very wide range in TW and still be effective. I use a 10k Equalizer for about 750 lbs TW, and I hear you can go lower than that.

Size the WDH kit for the maximum condition, then make adjustments if the "effective" TW will be significantly less.

As far as how to weigh the stuff behind the rear axle, we're talking about what cargo you put in the bed, behind the axle. Just estimate it.

[Camp Dawg]

Thank you for all the help. I'm going to give them a call tomorrow. Wish the E4 came in 8000.
Has anyone even ordered from www.pplmotorhomes.com before? Their prices are pretty good.

[thebrakeman]

rvwholesalers is very popular for the Equal-I-zer, but I have also heard of people with good experience from pplmotorhomes as well. Check them both.