Weight Distribution Hitch

[Bug Slinger]

Question: Can a weight distribution hitch be too large (capacity)? We have a Jayco Eagle 14SO (GVW 3300lbs) towed by a Toyota 4Runner V8. A friend suggested I borrow his WDH (Husky) w/friction sway control for a trip from Chicago down to Florida. He hauls a large Jayco T24Z 'Toy Hauler' GVW of around 10,000 lbs. Wondered if having the oversized hitch system could damage my smaller rig?

[flyfisherman]

Question: Can a weight distribution hitch be too large (capacity)? We have a Jayco Eagle 14SO (GVW 3300lbs) towed by a Toyota 4Runner V8. A friend suggested I borrow his WDH (Husky) w/friction sway control for a trip from Chicago down to Florida. He hauls a large Jayco T24Z 'Toy Hauler' GVW of around 10,000 lbs. Wondered if having the oversized hitch system could damage my smaller rig?

From what I can remember about the Husky WDH I used some time back for a large boat trailer (and with another previous TV),  it was rated for a gross trailer weight of 10,000 lbs but there were three different model/options for tongue weights: 550 lbs, 750 lbs and 1,000 lbs. (spring bar capacities), depending on what's being towed.

Ask your friend what the tongue weight capacity is for his Husky WDH and I'll see if I can remember what I did with that Husky literature!



Fly

[Mike Up]

Question: Can a weight distribution hitch be too large (capacity)? We have a Jayco Eagle 14SO (GVW 3300lbs) towed by a Toyota 4Runner V8. A friend suggested I borrow his WDH (Husky) w/friction sway control for a trip from Chicago down to Florida. He hauls a large Jayco T24Z 'Toy Hauler' GVW of around 10,000 lbs. Wondered if having the oversized hitch system could damage my smaller rig?

Yes it will be much to large. Everything would work but you'd have to buy new spring bars. When I go to a WDH, it will be hidden hitch as all you have to do is buy new spring bars which are ~$130, if I go up to a heavy TT. The spring bar and hitch setup I'll be getting is max for 550 lbs with spring bars for 200 lbs - 550 lbs.
 
You have to adjust them with the bars parrallel with the tongue but with so many links per the manual. If you use spring bars for a toy hauler, they'll be to strong for your lighter tongue weight and you won't be able to set it up properly.
 
I was planning on getting an Equalizer brand WDH for a future TT but that's questionable, getting the TT. With the hidden hitch (draw-tite and Reese are same company owned), the whole setup is compatible except the spring bars which can be upgraded to heavier models. I'd also get the Dual Cam Sway Control (U bolts) if they'd fit or the Dual Cam HP if I have to drill.
 
Otherwise with the Equalizer brand, you'd have to buy 2 complete WDH for each camper as they aren't interchangeable for different trailer tongue weights.
 
Good luck in getting a WDH that works with your setup.
 
Have a good one.

[Bug Slinger]

Yes it will be much to large. Everything would work but you'd have to buy new spring bars. When I go to a WDH, it will be hidden hitch as all you have to do is buy new spring bars which are ~$130, if I go up to a heavy TT. The spring bar and hitch setup I'll be getting is max for 550 lbs with spring bars for 200 lbs - 550 lbs.
 
You have to adjust them with the bars parrallel with the tongue but with so many links per the manual. If you use spring bars for a toy hauler, they'll be to strong for your lighter tongue weight and you won't be able to set it up properly.
 
I was planning on getting an Equalizer brand WDH for a future TT but that's questionable, getting the TT. With the hidden hitch (draw-tite and Reese are same company owned), the whole setup is compatible except the spring bars which can be upgraded to heavier models. I'd also get the Dual Cam Sway Control (U bolts) if they'd fit or the Dual Cam HP if I have to drill.
 
Otherwise with the Equalizer brand, you'd have to buy 2 complete WDH for each camper as they aren't interchangeable for different trailer tongue weights.
 
Good luck in getting a WDH that works with your setup.
 
Have a good one.

Fly - It is the larger set-up with the 1000lb tongue weight.
Mike UP - Thanks for the info. The PU is fairly new to us and we left it down in Florida (to be picked up on our way down for vacation). The spring arms did look like they may be too large for my set-up, but w/o it here, it was hard to tell.
The PU actually tows great behind the 4Runner, but I was looking for the added security of the sway control.

[flyfisherman]

Fly -
The PU actually tows great behind the 4Runner, but I was looking for the added security of the sway control.

That being the case you can just get the sway bar to use with your present set-up. Usually sway bars (i.e., anti-sway bars) come with a complete kit that includes everything from the slide bar itself to the sway control ball, the ball mount bar and the trailer tongue mounting plate.

[beacher]

.... We have a Jayco Eagle 14SO (GVW 3300lbs) towed by a Toyota 4Runner V8. ....

Does your Jayco Eagle 14SO have box-steel main frame members, or are they C-Channel?  Anything other than box or tube steel will bend with the stress of a WD hitch.

Assuming it CAN be used with a WD hitch, you don't want more hardware than you need.  You could feasibly "lift" the rear of your TV and overstress it's chassis, and your trailer's frame.  This is what you should be looking at..  It's simple to operate.  It's sized exactly for your application.



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[Mike Up]

Does your Jayco Eagle 14SO have box-steel main frame members, or are they C-Channel? Anything other than box or tube steel will bend with the stress of a WD hitch.
 
Assuming it CAN be used with a WD hitch, you don't want more hardware than you need. You could feasibly "lift" the rear of your TV and overstress it's chassis, and your trailer's frame. This is what you should be looking at.. It's simple to operate. It's sized exactly for your application.
 
 
 
.

For his larger low wall 14' PUP, I'd have to disagree. Many 12' and 14' can go over 400 lbs. My model is 300 lbs and it's a no trunk, no slide, 12' PUP. I weighed the tongue myself.
 
That single bar setup can only go up to 400 lbs and it's not compatible with heavier tongue weights by replacing with higher rated spring bars for the lower, like the dual spring bar hidden hitch. The hidden hitch is recommended to be used with as little as 200 lbs hitch weight up to 550 lbs. Besides, that funky lever actuated WDH won't fit on many tongues due to tongue designs.
 
It's nice for a small 8' or 10' camper with an open area on the tongue, but I feel it's to lightweight for 12' and 14' campers.
 
That of course, is if this camper is recommended to be used with any type of WDH.
 
Have a good one.

[SkipP]

Once upon a time, a WDH was not allowed by Jayco...it would void the warranty. Not sure if this applies to your model or not though. That would be the first thing I'd look into. If it is allowed, then then yes, a WDH that is too stiff will place too great a load on the camper. 4Runners (my favorite SUV of all time!) have a fairly soft stock suspension so the combination may make matters even worse.

Take a look at Air Lift ( http://www.airliftcompany.com/ ) if you want a firmer rear suspension and yet still maintain the stock ride when not towing.
 
Which ever direction you choose, I'd definitely go with a sway bar! The single-sided ones work great for pop-ups and especially for one as heavy as yours. Good luck!

[fallsrider]

I had some confusion about our Jayco and whether I can use a WDH or not. I elected to go with the AirLift airbags on our minivan, and they work great because our hitch weight is about 200 lbs., the max. on our van without a WDH.

Our Eagle 10 UD has a c-channel frame. However, the owner's manual says under Hitches (and I quote directly), "After choosing your tow vehicle, it is very important to install a hitch system with weight distributing bars to accommodate your coach....Class II or III hitches are suggested. With the Class III, 350# equalizing bars can be used if installed correctly with the surge brakes." (we don't have surge brakes)

Talk about confusing! I emailed Jayco, and their response was that my pup is light enough that I shouldn't need a WDH with any tow vehicle. Without the air bags, though, our van was sagging badly loaded for camping, and I drug the hitch on the pavement 4 or 5 times on the one trip before the bags. But 30 psi in the bags keeps everything nice and level, and the pup tows great.

Our pup's GVWR is only 2,200 lbs., though. I think with a 3,300 lb. GVWR I would use a WDH if my frame allowed it.