Advice re: WD Hitch...

[syoungblood]

We found a good price on the Reese 350 mini-lite WD hitch. I am just trying to get info regarding weight dist. hitches.  I know very little about them and have never used one in the past.  We are upgrading to a new 2005 Jayco Select 12 HW.  I was thinking of adding a WD hitch due to the increase in weight from our current Viking.  We have a sway bar installed already.  Since I have never really used a WD hitch, would it really make much difference?  Are they difficult to install?  Could I do this or should I have the dealer do it?  I would really appreciate any advice or opinions.  Thanks

[JUST4FUN]

First congrats on the jayco!!
Now WD hitch, yes you realy should have one the TV is rated to tow 3500 lbs , and the trailer is grossed out at 3500lbs loaded to the max
so that would put the hitch weight at 350 give or take the mini 350 might not be enough i would ask the dealer , you could look at the
equlizer WD with the sway control bulit in
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/home.html

[6Quigs]

We used to have a Reese Mini-350 WDH when we towed our Coleman Niagara with first our Ford Explorer, and then the GMC Safari.
I was very impressed with its performance.
It made for a much smoother ride, eliminating a lot of the bounce we had, and with it's built in sway control, eliminated the sway the big Colemans were prone to.

I installed it myself, without too much bother, as have plenty of other people. I even have a few pictures on my web page
http://the6quigleys.tripod.com/camping/id6.html

[brainpause]

Does the camper you are getting have surge brakes?

If so, make sure the WDH will work with it. The (typical) sway control bars are not compatible with campers with surge brakes. The WDH may be different...maybe someone can help me here....Just want to make sure before you buy something you can't use.

If your new trailer has electric brakes, you are good to go.

Larry

[rccs]

I just purchased a weight distribution hitch from hitchmart.com for the tow vehicle I just got which requires one. I bought the item #4301 for $269.95 shipping included. I had checked at the local Bumper to Bumper store and they wanted $349.95 plus shipping and sales tax for the exact same one. It looks like it should be very simple to install and use. With the snow around my camper I have not been able to install it yet.

[syoungblood]

Does the camper you are getting have surge brakes?

If so, make sure the WDH will work with it. The (typical) sway control bars are not compatible with campers with surge brakes. The WDH may be different...maybe someone can help me here....Just want to make sure before you buy something you can't use.

If your new trailer has electric brakes, you are good to go.

Larry

New camper has electric brakes.  One concern I have is that I have heard if you install one of these, it voids the warranty on your pop up's frame?  Has anyone else heard this?  We found this hitch on line for $125.00, so the price seems very good.

[chasd60]

New camper has electric brakes. One concern I have is that I have heard if you install one of these, it voids the warranty on your pop up's frame? Has anyone else heard this? We found this hitch on line for $125.00, so the price seems very good.

You have to check with the manufacturer of your specific brand of popup. Some say yes, some say no.

[OC Campers]

The Mini 350 also has built in sway control, You can't use your existing sway control.I had a Mini 350 and upgraded to the Mini 400 single bar. It was easier to install an by far easier to use. I also feel the standard friction sway bar worked far better than the built in sway on the Mini 350.

 
Randy

[TheViking]

I'd like to chime in here too.  My Viking PU has the tongue jack placed on the door side of the camper.  It is impossible to use a WD hitch on a camper with the tongue jack that is located anywhere but in the middle of the tongue because it will hit the jack.  I have a sway control bar but I had to mount it on the opposite side of where the instructions say to.  It seems to still work effectively.  I towed it all the way from Phoenix tp Lancaster that way.

[sure2rain]

The Reese mini 350 and the Reese 400 single lever are both made to be used with campers with side mounted tongue jacks. I have the 400 and find it very easy to use. You do need to add a seperate sway control with the 400.

[tlhdoc]

It is impossible to use a WD hitch on a camper with the tongue jack that is located anywhere but in the middle of the tongue because it will hit the jack.

Sorry but they do make WDH for PU with a side mounted tongue jack.  Ask anyone with a Coleman/Fleetwood PU that uses a WDH.

[OC Campers]

The single bar WDH does not have sway control, I thought that was the Mini 400 but maybe I am off. I had both the Mini 350 and this single bar type with a friction sway bar. Both worked well and both worked on my Coleman. The single bar was easier to instal and easier to use but you do have to add sway control if you need it and that costs more $$.
 
Good luck
 
Randall