Need a WDH towing a A-Frame HW213A with a Chevy 1500?

[Yoods]

I am trying to make an informed decision before hitting the road with my A-frame this year whether I need to use a WDH with my new to me 2015 Chevy 1500 Silverado. It is a crew cab with a short bed 4x4 and has a towing package. I have been using a WDH with a 2018 Toyota Highlander which worked well.

My concern is not leveling my TV, but rather anti-sway safety concerns with potential high winds while towing and handling buffeting wind from passing tractor trailers. (Side note: I have air bags to level truck if need be)

I would prefer to not have to use a WDH when towing my A-frame with the Chevy for anti-sway if not needed. (Too much hassle to change the WDH configuration each time to use between the Toyota and Chevy).

But I want to be smart and safe about this and thought others on this forum with experience towing my type of A-frame, or similar models, with my type of Chevy TV and could share their experiences from on what might be the best way to go. More importantly, do I need to use a WDH with my set-up for safety?

I have a FR 2019 Rockwood A-Frame Camper, model # HW213A, which is similar in size and weight to the Rockwood HW214A model. My A-frame is similar to a Flagstaff T21TBHW (and the T21DMHW model) for size and weight.

Thanks much in advance for your comments! I have gotten a lot out of these forums from others experiences which I have used many times to help me make informed choices.

[Aussieguy]

you have a single axle trailer which can be easily unbalanced

make sure you load it so tongue weight is heavy enough

Your Silverado should handle the tongue weight so all you need to do is control the sway by correct loading and keep your speed down until you gain more experience towing.

Having good trailer brakes makes thing easier too
avoid getting into situations where you need to stomp on the brakes (especially downhill)


If you want to add some sort of anti sway... you can buy friction plates that work on sway but without the added weight of a full blown WDH.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by Yoods

I am trying to make an informed decision before hitting the road with my A-frame this year whether I need to use a WDH with my new to me 2015 Chevy 1500 Silverado. It is a crew cab with a short bed 4x4 and has a towing package. I have been using a WDH with a 2018 Toyota Highlander which worked well.

My concern is not leveling my TV, but rather anti-sway safety concerns with potential high winds while towing and handling buffeting wind from passing tractor trailers. (Side note: I have air bags to level truck if need be)

I would prefer to not have to use a WDH when towing my A-frame with the Chevy for anti-sway if not needed. (Too much hassle to change the WDH configuration each time to use between the Toyota and Chevy).

But I want to be smart and safe about this and thought others on this forum with experience towing my type of A-frame, or similar models, with my type of Chevy TV and could share their experiences from on what might be the best way to go. More importantly, do I need to use a WDH with my set-up for safety?

I have a FR 2019 Rockwood A-Frame Camper, model # HW213A, which is similar in size and weight to the Rockwood HW214A model. My A-frame is similar to a Flagstaff T21TBHW (and the T21DMHW model) for size and weight.

I have owned both an A122 and now the Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame. Both have surprisingly high tongue weights. With the 2 part forward storage compartment (upper and lower) on the T21TBHW it is very easy to get your tongue weight over 500lbs (I recorded mine as high as 600 forcing me to repack), and almost impossible to get below 400lbs.

When I was towing with minivans, I needed the WDH to prevent excessive rear end sag that minivans are known for while towing.

And the A122 A-frame caused my Kia minivan to "porpoise" - the nose of the A-frame would repeatedly dip, causing the rear end to go lower, then rise up in response. Basically the tongue of the A-frame had a slow bounding motion that was very uncomfortable - and to me unsafe.

I was taking the A-frame back to the dealer to unwind the deal. He proposed installing an E-2 600/6000 to counter the unwanted motion. I had never owned a WDH before. I agreed to give it a try.

That WDH made my minivan ride like stock - got rid of the rear end sag, stopped the porpoising and made driving secure enough that DW would drive while towing for several hours at a time. I was a convert to WDHs.

I moved the same WDH to successor tow vehicles and the bigger A-frame, always with excellent results. My current Hyundai Palisade towing the T21TBHW has an excellent ride after adjusting the E2 WDH for the new height and tongue weight.

The E2 WDH hitch has built in anti-sway, and I have never towed an A-frame without the E2, so I can't tell you if sway would be a concern without. My minivan stayed locked in towing in 35mph cross winds in eastern Colorado. Tracking of the truck MIGHT be affected in crosswinds given the substantial tongue weights of the A-frames by lightening the weight on the truck front end.

just my experiences
Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2022 Hyundai Palisade

[Tlmgcamp]

Note that air bags can level the tow vehicle so it looks as if you have a WDH. However, the weight is still on the rear axle, but more importantly off the front axle. This could result in handling issues. The WDH effectively moves some of the tongue weight forward to maintain the proper proportion of weight on the front axle so steering and braking performance is maintained

[bikendan]

IMHO, a WDH is not necessary but an anti-sway bar might be a good choice.

[cliffk]

We have been towing a 2019 A212HW with two different Chevy suburbans (2004 & 2016) from flat MN/IA to CA. Over the Rockies, across the high desert, and central plains. We have only towed with the stock towing package, no WDH or anti-sway. No real problems nor did we feel unsafe. Keep your speed down, watch your breaking on steep roads, and be a smart driver. The low profile of the camper tucks in nicely behind your truck, you should see minimal buffeting from passing trucks and headwinds. In strong crosswinds, if you feel unsafe, PULL OVER and get off the road. Be sure to take it on one or more short shake down trips if possible to get the feel of how it will tow and what your comfort level is when towing it.

Good luck and have fun!

[bingraham66]

Simple answer is NO! you dont need a WDH for a half ton truck period end of story. Most small suv's can tow this camper and do without a WDH or a swaybar with no issues at all. If your hitch weight is correct and with the load balanced correctly you will be fine,

[Dirty Harry]

I was just getting ready to post this same type of question. My camper's PO bought a slew of scrap from their dealer (most of which they didn't need - and now that it's ours, neither do we) but... among the stuff was a heavier duty Reese tow bar (slight drop tongue) and an anti sway bar. I was thinking that it wouldn't hurt to use that beefier bar and perhaps that sway bar too. We didn't use it towing it home (stuck with mine), but just thinking it might not be a bad bit of extra insurance.

What say you all??

[bingraham66]

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

I was just getting ready to post this same type of question. My camper's PO bought a slew of scrap from their dealer (most of which they didn't need - and now that it's ours, neither do we) but... among the stuff was a heavier duty Reese tow bar (slight drop tongue) and an anti sway bar. I was thinking that it wouldn't hurt to use that beefier bar and perhaps that sway bar too. We didn't use it towing it home (stuck with mine), but just thinking it might not be a bad bit of extra insurance.

What say you all??

i would say don't bother with any sway bar or WDH. Most newer 1/2 ton trucks have built in trailer sway control like the F150 does. We originaly towed our A frame over three thousand miles with a 2017 Ford Escape not using any sway bar or WDH. Even the Escape comes equiped with trailer sway control. Also, you do limit your turning ability when using a sway bar when backing up the trailer so be aware of the hassle of disconecting it everytime you back up the trailer into a camping spot or your garage.

If you read your ownrs manual for both the trailer and the truck, you won't find either reccomending a WDH or sway bar so ;ong as you are within the mfg. specs you will be fine. Save your money and headache end enjoy camping!

[moose074]

Each trailer truck combo is different why my travel trailer was much longer. I towed it with half tons three-quarter ton and a one ton when I owned the three-quarter ton my first truck I used to tow it with weight wise. It might’ve made the truck level but anything over 65 and the trailer swayed , when I moved to the 1/2 tons the weight distribution of the equalizer four-point that I had bought for the three-quarter ton was definitely needed when I bought a 1 ton pick up ready to upgrade to a fifth wheel trailer, I still owned the travel trailer for a few months. I tried towing obviously weight was not an issue but again the swayed left to right.

[Aussieguy]

my right foot is a good sway control device

first......... slow down if trailer is showing signs of persistent sway
stop at a safe location and move some weight around


if i feel a slight sway from cross wind or passing truck
Instinctively add a little throttle.... that's one reason to leave plenty room when towing.

If adding more throttle not successful
it usually gives me enough time to get to the brake controller and start slowing down the trailer ...

Has worked for me....... so far.
never had a issue except my backseat driver still not convinced..

PS... never needed to hit the brake controller... but have practiced it
made sure I could easily reach it and can actuate it without having to look down at it.

[TheMarkles]

Hi Yoods, Given your campers size, weight and specifically tongue weight you may not need a WDH w/sway control with your tow vehicle, however if it's for your piece of mind go for it. I know on my trailer the tongue weight when its loaded is 300lbs more than manufactures specs so its important to load it with what you intend to take camping and weigh it (them second guess yourself and leave behind what you don't need). As for tow vehicles, mine also has integrated sway control but I have coil springs so I have a little bit more sag than a truck with leaf springs, so I decided to go with a WDH setup that is inexpensive. I bought a EAZ-Lift Recurve R3 with integrated sway (it is so easy to use!), and no I am not promoting this product, it just fit my needs, top bars and one hex bolt adjustable sway- plus its quiet and I can backup with it on. Everyone has their own preference and opinion but if your curious about your options check them out.

[bjaspud]

Short answer. No. You've got plenty of truck to handle the camper.

[Yoods]

Hi All,

I have been out of pocket for awhile which is why I have not responded earlier.

I want to thank all of you for responding to my question. I really appreciate you all for taking the time to give detailed experiences and thoughts, which has given me plenty to ponder.

FredW and I have similar A-Frames and comparable towing vehicles. He has the Palisade and I had been using a Highlander. Like he said from his experience he uses a WDH. I have also been using a WDH (Blue Ox) with the Highlander and I have found the WDH invaluable for safety and peace of mind.

So, as I posted, I was curious of others experiences from towing our larger size A-Frames with a 2015 or similar Chevy 1500 that has a tow package with or without a WDH.

I think on the face of it, although maybe not required, I would prefer to use a WDH with my new set-up for peace of mind.

But as I said in the OP, I would rather not use it if one is not needed with my type of TV and type of A-Frame for safety, because I would have to reconfigure it each time when moving it between my TV’s. (Side note, if I recall correctly, the Chevy manual recommends to use a WDH over 7,000 pounds with my TV)

With your thoughts and experiences in mind I think I will try my new set-up without a WDH and go on a test camp and see how it goes (and I plan to keep my max speed at 65 MPH!)

Side note: I appreciated the comments about airbags and using WDH. So while I was doing research before posting my original question I came across the attached YouTube video that I found very informative. I am adding the link not so much to have a discussion on it but to share:

The Difference Between Using WDH and Air Bags to Level Your Load

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBZu39pQ8Gg

[santasurfer]

If you do not need the wdh then do not use it. IDK your a-frame, but if is little then good chance that the frame is not as stout as the WDH. WDH can break a trailer frame!
Air bags are fine, ignore the concerns above, you have a small trailer, ignore the sky-is-falling comments. Correct that air bags do not redistribute the weight, but your trailer is light enough it is not going to flip your truck over.
Use air bags if that is an option.
Trailer should not sway unless is loaded wrong.
Drive it, and if you get sway no matter what then you have trailer issues, and only then try the wdh.
If you use the wdh, then use the lightest tension you possibly can.
I think anti-sway for a small trailer is a bit much, but wont hurt anything except your wallet.

[PenJoe]

We have towed a cargo trailer with a GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevy Silverado 1500 with tow packages and rear air bags. I have never seen a cargo trailer with a WDH. Towing empty or loaded to 7,000 lbs, we had no problems with sway-no sway bars, no WDH.

[gw1800]

One thing not mentioned are the tires on the tow vehicle. All, or most the SUV's come with P- rated tires for a comfortable ride. The sidewalls are soft and and will cause the rear of the tow vehicle to squat and return while towing. This is one main reasons for porpoising. Changing the tires to higher load range will correct a lot of this. A WDH does not correct the fact that the load on the tongue increases and decreases while driving. Especially on roads that rise and fall.

I have a 2015 Silverado with the HD tow package and all weights were within specs. Replacing my tires with load range E made a huge difference.