23LDE Tail Wagging the Dog Issue

[DannyG]

the tongue wt on the vehicle information sheet is the dry wt when the unit left the factory and does not reflect real world conditions after you install batterie(s), propane, and all the items loaded into the trailer (food, dishes, clothes etc).

Correct. That’s why I referred to it as the dry tongue weight.

 

[Rabbit]

I doubt the problem is with the truck, rather trailer loading and towing geometry. My trailer tows best with a partial tank of fresh water, for instance. Is your trailer nose up or significantly nose down? Regardless, you really need that friction brake on your hitch setup.

 

[DannyG]

I doubt the problem is with the truck, rather trailer loading and towing geometry. My trailer tows best with a partial tank of fresh water, for instance. Is your trailer nose up or significantly nose down? Regardless, you really need that friction brake on your hitch setup.

I read that the fresh tank in this trailer is right above the rear axle. Which, if true, is a silly setup…

As for the friction brake, I’m gonna go grab a Haul Master unit from HF. Also read that if trailer weight is between 6-10k lbs, which mine is, I need two friction brakes - One for each side.

 

[classicrockguy]

OP states “a TON of wind” and no sway control. Trailer floor plan is probably lighter on the hitch than most. Does not surprise me there were sway issues on the trip.

Add proper sway control, check the tongue weight and load/adjust accordingly (I would shoot for 12-13% minimum), and slow down or even pull off if there is a TON of wind.

As far as tongue weight goes, that HD truck will have no trouble with more tongue weight. I have 1500-1600lbs on my F250 diesel with a 16k WDH w/sway control (much larger and heavier trailer). Still well within component capacities and no issues running this 60’ (total) rig down the road.

 

[NB Canada]

I don’t understand why you don’t just by a quality wdh ?

Like an equalizer e4 or Husky centreline or blue ox for example

 

[robmcqueen]

Tough part is that I have no truck scales anywhere near me… Closest one is 3 hours away.

Also, I know the dry tongue weight is exactly 674 because it’s provided by Grand Design for each of their individual trailers on the Vehicle Weight Information Sheet - VIN specific. See attached photo.

The friction bar isn’t being used because I don’t have it. We’ve moved a couple times recently and I don’t know where it is. Also, with my old Tundra, funny enough, I had no issues… Odd that I do with a Super Duty that can tow way more

If the closest scale is 3 hrs you might want to go on Amazon and order a tongue weight scale. For that trailer it would be best to be around 1000lbs

 

[NB Canada]

Tough part is that I have no truck scales anywhere near me… Closest one is 3 hours away.

Also, I know the dry tongue weight is exactly 674 because it’s provided by Grand Design for each of their individual trailers on the Vehicle Weight Information Sheet - VIN specific. See attached photo.

The friction bar isn’t being used because I don’t have it. We’ve moved a couple times recently and I don’t know where it is. Also, with my old Tundra, funny enough, I had no issues… Odd that I do with a Super Duty that can tow way more!

Lots of farms and feed mills and stuff have scales. They might let you weigh

It is important

 

[TimtheToolMan]

Are there any highway weigh stations closer to you to do some of the weighing?

Sway control device like the two that the WDH came can be purchased separately--new and used. I am no fan of this type of sway control, but they do help with sway. To me, this TT might be way to much for this type of sway control. If you're spending money it may make sense to just buy a better product (as NB Canada said), if you have the funds.

If trailer starts to get a bit out of control, quickly apply trailer only brakes, but you may have little time to do this before trailer goes totally out of control and flips over along with truck.

 

[DannyG]

Anyone have experience with or feedback on Anderson No Sway hitches?

 

[NB Canada]

Anyone have experience with or feedback on Anderson No Sway hitches?

Hit and miss from what I hear

I can’t imagine they would transfer enough weight

People that have them likely say they work but I am sceptical

Just get a quality bar hitch

 

[DannyG]

This is the other WHD I’m considering: https://a.co/d/95CMWTW

 

[NB Canada]

This is the other WHD I’m considering: https://a.co/d/95CMWTW

Imo it is the best hitch on the market

 

[DannyG]

Thanks for the advice. Seems like a great price at the moment as well.

 

[Ramv]

I had that one with my car hauler. It worked great but was a pain with a manual jack and lots of tongue weight. With an electric jack would be good.

 

[DannyG]

I had that one with my car hauler. It worked great but was a pain with a manual jack and lots of tongue weight. With an electric jack would be good.

Which one? The Anderson or Equalizer?

 

[classicrockguy]

Imo it is the best hitch on the market

I’ve been using Equalizer exclusively. First the 10k model on my previous trailer. Now the 16k model on my larger trailer. Both have been fine. A bit of a fuss to get them set up properly, but you only do that once. They are also pretty noisy on a sharp turn.

Make sure you buy the size based on maximum tongue weight. This will always govern since they always spec based on 10% of the max gvw. In other words, a 10k trailer will need at least a 12k hitch, as the max tongue weight on the 10k hitch is 1000lbs. I have the 16k for my 11,295lb gvw trailer because my tongue weight runs 1500-1600 on that particular trailer model. It is known for being “tongue heavy”.

 

[DannyG]

I’ve been using Equalizer exclusively. First the 10k model on my previous trailer. Now the 16k model on my larger trailer. Both have been fine. A bit of a fuss to get them set up properly, but you only do that once. They are also pretty noisy on a sharp turn.

Make sure you buy the size based on maximum tongue weight. This will always govern since they always spec based on 10% of the max gvw. In other words, a 10k trailer will need at least a 12k hitch, as the max tongue weight on the 10k hitch is 1000lbs. I have the 16k for my 11,295lb gvw trailer because my tongue weight runs 1500-1600 on that particular trailer model. It is known for being “tongue heavy”.

How much drop does the shank they provide allow? I can’t find that information anywhere. Would be super helpful if you know off hand.

 

[Ramv]

The Equalizer. As classrockguy said it takes a minute to set it up and buy based on TW. They are heavy though (not an issue for your truck just a PITA to handle) and loud. But better than fighting sway.

I'm curious about the new BW hitches one.

 

[classicrockguy]

How much drop does the shank they provide allow? I can’t find that information anywhere. Would be super helpful if you know off hand.

You can flip the shank as well (reverses the rise and drop).

 

[robmcqueen]

I have a Andersen WDH It works great if you do not need to distribute a lot of weight. Not sure how well the sway control work because i never had a problem with sway. I think the hitch would work very well on your set up. You are not needing to distribute a lot of weight with your 3/4 ton. I used it on a half ton and could not get enough weight back on the front axles. If you live close by i would let you try it out. Where are you located ? I have not used it for 3 years now.