Excuse the ignorance of a newbie, but I am looking at getting a PU, and after reading through this board, I keeps seeing mention of Anti-Sway Bars and Weight Distributon Hitches. What exactly are these? How do I know if I need them (or maybe you just use one or the other)? Where can I get them? Can I install them myself or do I need to have a dealer do it?
Thanks for the info. Again, sorry if these are dumb questions, but I have never had a trailer before.
Happy Easter,
Welcome to PUT, Eric ... a place where there are no dumb questions (except maybe the ones unasked!) :D
I'm not even going to attempt to explain WDH (weight distribution hitches) and sway control cuz I've never had to use either one. There are lots of people here who will help, though. In the meantime check out Tim5055's website (http://www.title-3.com/) ~ here you will find the answer to all things camping! ;)
Scroll down the left side ... there are links to information about "Towing and Hitch Information" and "Sway Information".
I hope you find a PU soon!
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Hello,
Welcome to the wonderful world of PU towing!
A weight distribution hitch uses one or two large lever springs to redistribute your towed trailer weight to the front wheels of the tow vehicle, in your case an Expedition. This redistribution of weight is necessary so that the rear of the tow vehicle does not sag and ride lower than the front end. When a vehicle sags the front wheels have proportionately less traction than the rear wheels, an unsafe condition. A sway controller keeps a trailer from swaying side to side as it's towed down the road.
Your Expedition might not need a WD hitch. If you had an Explorer, they sag with even a two hundred pound tongue weight applied to the hitch. Have enough adults stand on your rear bumper to simulate a 300 to 400 tongue weight. If the rear end drops more than three inches than the front, then you might consider a WD hitch.
Sway is a function of tongue weight, trailer length, trailer load distribution, tow vehicle length, tow vehicle wheel base. Essentially, if your tow vehicle is larger and heavier than your trailer, your trailer will probably not sway. Once again, your Expedition is a behemoth of a tow vehicle in the world of PopUp campers. Your trailer would probably not sway, and if it did, just add a sway controller for under $70.
Notice I use the word "probably" alot! That's because if you read these message boards long enough, you will find plenty of exceptions!
I little suggestion, do your towing research before you buy. I didn't and I ended up setting my tow vehicle up wrong, a costly mistake. I ended up buying the wrong and in some cases un-needed stuff.
From what I have seen no matter what trailer / tow vehicle combo you are looking at...there is usually at least one person from this board with a similar set up.
Randy
We tow a fairly heavy 2003.5 Fleetwood Mesa with a '99 Expedition. I wouldn't be concerned with a WDW unless you are considering a heavier hard-sided camper near the top of your vehicles towing capacity. Sway bars generally attach to one side of the camper frame and an auxillary ball beside the main towing ball. A plate for this smaller ball can either be welded or bolted in place (this requires the use of a receiver hitch). The friction type sway bars use a brake-pad like material that will resist unwanted side-to-side movement (sway) while still allowing turns. The friction can be varied based on the amount of sway resistance needed.
Most pop-ups won't need sway control if they are balanced properly. This means about 10% of the camper weight on the tongue (ex: the camper weighs 2800 pounds, the tongue weight should be around 280#). Still some pop ups will exhibit a tendency to sway and then the sway bar offers a measure of security. Our Mesa is one of them. After towing it a few times, we added a sway bar and it tracks much better now.
Randy makes a great point don't assume you need either until you try a camper out!
I've been doing some research into WDH/Sway Bars and came across this interesting website discussing trailer towing. Lots of good information.
//www.rvtowingtips.com
My brother tows a 26' TT with his Expedition. Last summer they towed it all the way to Montana and back (to SoCal) with no problem.. I think that you'll be OK.
I have a 2004 Explorer and tow a 3000 pound trailer. I don't need a WDH, I do use an antisway bar just to be safe. What is the tow rating on your Expedition? :)