RE: JAYCO, WINDSTAR AND WDH

Welshie · Sep 28, 2003, 07:05 PM

I just purchased a Jayco 12UDST that I am going to tow with a Windstar van. I want to get a WDH for it but want to make sure I get the right one. My trailer is equipped with electric brakes and the tongue weight is 265 lbs. The trailer has a front storage trunk. I think the trailer weight with options is about 2200 lbs but I would have to check to be sure. Does anyone know which WDH will work on a Jayco trailer and Windstar Van. Is the sway control included? Thnaks, for any help.

wssfetch · Jun 13, 2003, 11:13 AM

WelshieHey Sandy,

You might check with whoever you are getting your hitch from. When I had problems with rear end sag on my Astro when towing, I checked with the hitch dealer about whether I needed a WDH. His suggestion was to add air bags because rear suspension is notoriously soft in GM vans. And that works. Of course my camper is a lot lighter than your new camper is, so you will need WDH or sway control. So thats may suggestion--talk to the hitch dealer.

jaycocamprs · Jun 13, 2003, 06:11 PM

WelshieI would look at either a Reese Mini-350 or the Reese 400 single spring bar. With the front wheel drive of the Windstar you will want to transfer some of that weight back onto the front wheels. I camped with a family last weekend that had the 400 single spring on their Niagara and I like the way it works, but I m not sure if it will work with the Jayco tongue jack. I would guess that your UDST will weigh close to the max 2800# weight ready to camp. Ours weighs 2650# and we don t have the trunk, our tongue weight is also right at 280#, 1 gas bottle and a group 24 battery. I think you will like your new camper.

HottFamily4 · Jun 13, 2003, 06:35 PM

wssfetchwssfetch is correct with air bags on the Astro.

Welshie, ours weighs close to 2700 loaded and we do not need WDH or sway bars but my Astro is built on a truck chassis.

I will get air bags this year.

Mahaffey-Family · Jun 13, 2003, 07:53 PM

Welshie

QuoteDoes anyone know which WDH will work on a Jayco trailer and Windstar Van. Is the sway control included? Thnaks, for any help.

We re having problems with squat. We are looking at the Reese 400 single spring bar. But, still looking for more advice on this board. So when you help Welshie you will also be helping me.

Mahaffey-Family · Jun 14, 2003, 01:55 PM

WelshieThe cheapest price I have found is at www.reese-hitches.com/weight_distributing_hitches.htm the price was $228.00 plus shipping for the light duty WD kit. I ordered mine today. The 350-mini-lite weight was $197.50. Hope this helps.

SheBantam · Jun 14, 2003, 10:14 PM

Welshie

Quote400 single spring on their Niagara and I like the way it works, but I m not sure if it will work with the Jayco tongue jack.

We have the side mount jack on our Jayco (our 1006 had a nonstandard hole and we could not find a drop in jack to fit), if the regular tongue jack is a problem, the side mount is easy to install, bracket bolts onto the frame and no holes need to be drilled. We do not loose the wheel when we lift the jack.

For my Jayco 1006, the camper dealer told me to use the Reese mini 350 if I wanted a WDH for my Windstar. Max weight is 3500 lbs for the Reese mini 350. I had U-haul put on a class 2, mainly because the Jayco is so light and we do not use it much. Also bought a tranny cooler, but ad to take it back after the u-haul guy said that he could put it on. Called the local transmission shop who told me that the Windstars already had a small cooler in the factory package... souned good to me, saved me about $90.

brainpause · Jun 14, 2003, 10:46 PM

WelshieI am NOT an authority on WDH s, so take this with a grain of salt:

I have seen the single spring bar WDH and the dealer showed me how it goes on. It looks very simple, and much less cumbersome than the Mini-350 s and other WDH s I ve seen. I have the single spring bar WDH in the back of my mind for that someday when we will need it.

Larry

Welshie · Jun 16, 2003, 06:53 AM

WelshieThanks for all of the responses! Now I have another question. Is Dual Cam Sway control a better idea or is it overkill for a pop-up? Can it be used on a pop-up? It sounds like it is a good way to prevent sway from ever happening. What type of WDH would you use with it?

Sandy

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