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03-09-2019, 11:08 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 48
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Towing without a weight distribution hitch
I’m buying a Passport 239ML with a 4100ish dry weight. I just bought a Silverado with a 9500lb capacity to replace my Tacoma. Do I need a weight distribution hitch to tow this comfortably, or will the bigger truck be enough to feel ok? I’ve towed heavier trailers with a Silverado before, but nothing as large profile..
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03-09-2019, 11:14 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: West Central IN
Posts: 141
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I am sure others with experience will reply. I have a similar weight, shorter TT and tow with a "9200lb capacity" Silverado. I can't imagine towing without the WDH and sway control. I think the truck hitch is limited to 700lbs tongue weight without WDH. That 9500lb capacity number has very little to do with how the truck will handle that TT behind it. Lots of area to catch wind and be blown by passing trucks, vehicles etc.
Good luck with the new setup
__________________
Wxman
2018 Passport Elite 19RB (sold)
2021 Jayco Eagle HT 274CKDS
2017 Silverado Z71 5.3L 3.42 gears(sold)
2021 Sierra 2500 4x4 CCSB SLT (gas)
E4 16k/1.6k hitch
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03-09-2019, 11:33 AM
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#3
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3,878
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Why risk it. WDH is a no-brainer.
Full disclosure: someone will chime in and say they do it all the time with a similar truck and trailer. And they have no problems at all.
Dont fall for it.
__________________
Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Impact 312
2017 Silverado 3500HD SRW
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03-09-2019, 11:49 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,692
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This is my quote from the other thread where you said you had upgraded trucks: "Now, make sure you have a good wdh/sway control and go make memories (safely) with the family!"
You need both the wdh and sway control for the truck handling and the safety of the occupants. That is a 5400 lb. trailer if I recall and 25?? ft. long. It can get in a tizzy and take that Silverado for a ride you don't want to be on. Safety is paramount; especially with a young family.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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03-09-2019, 01:24 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
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I towed a 238ML with my Silverado with the same capacity. The WDH was very much appreciated.
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
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03-09-2019, 02:56 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dade City
Posts: 1,039
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Rule of thumb.
When towing without a WDH the trailer must weigh less than half the weight of the TV, and meet the hitch limitations. A loaded 3/4 ton diesel TV will weigh in at about 8,000 lbs. that limits you to less than 4,000 lbs. A 3/4 ton gas TV about 7,000 lbs = 3,500 lb trailer. A 1/2 ton about 6,000 lbs that's only a 3,000 lb trailer. I would think the overall size of the pulled trailer needs some consideration.
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03-09-2019, 07:04 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Grenfell
Posts: 187
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I towed a Jayco 197 with a slide with two different F150's and a 1997 1500 Suburban without WDH or sway control. The first time I towed our 2017 21RBS Cougar was a windy day. My next purchase was the above noted accessory. I can't imagine pulling any half decent trailer without. Simple as that.
__________________
2020 F150 ECO SC & 2019 Cougar 22RBS HT
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03-09-2019, 08:38 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Rockett, TX
Posts: 481
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If you are buying a new trailer and the dealer has not insisted on adding the WDH to the purchase or making sure you already have one...walk away from the dealer. JMHO
__________________
Jerry & Debbie
with Fur Babies Sasha & Sam
2018 Alpine 3401RS
2019 Ford F350 SRW
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03-09-2019, 09:58 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 708
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I would not be prepared to tow anything without some kind of sway control ... At the very least.
I guess by now most people have see the disaster videos and pictures and I'm betting no one wants to be in that situation.
When wew got our TT, the hitch people set us up with a WD/ Anti sway hitch. It cost nearly $1,000. I took a big gulp and said "just do it". Having towed the trailer 11,000 miles last year, I know the benefit of doing this. Our rig tows like a dream and I have no hesitation moving camp or doing long runs between CGs. If, as some people report, our towing was "white knuckle stuff" I couldn't see us RVing for very long.
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03-10-2019, 04:40 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Commerce Twp, Mi
Posts: 1,002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctbruce
Why risk it. WDH is a no-brainer.
Full disclosure: someone will chime in and say they do it all the time with a similar truck and trailer. And they have no problems at all.
Dont fall for it.
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That be me Bruce.......
__________________
TOM
2011 Chevy Silverado
1500, HD Tow Package
2017 Keystone Hideout 177LHS Carlisle Radial HDs
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03-10-2019, 04:41 AM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CrazyCain
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So, talk to me. What are you towing with what?
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03-10-2019, 06:24 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Wood River,IL
Posts: 121
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Controller23
I’m buying a Passport 239ML with a 4100ish dry weight. I just bought a Silverado with a 9500lb capacity to replace my Tacoma. Do I need a weight distribution hitch to tow this comfortably, or will the bigger truck be enough to feel ok? I’ve towed heavier trailers with a Silverado before, but nothing as large profile..
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My two cents worth. I towed with and without weight distribution hitch and TT tows SO much better using one.
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2018 Bullet Premier 22RBPR
2019 F-150 XLT 5.0 Super Crew FX4
Wood River, IL
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03-10-2019, 09:37 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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My son had a lifted 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban, bought a used 25' hybrid tt, I told him to get the WDH/sway control, he insisted he wouldn't need it, we followed behind his 1st trip, our 1st stop was in about 50 miles at the 1st CW we came to to get the hitch/sway control & after we'd stopped he said he didn't know if he could or if it was safe let go of the wheel yet.
Simple answer is ABSOLUTELY!!!
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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03-10-2019, 09:57 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Essexville, MI
Posts: 262
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sourdough
This is my quote from the other thread where you said you had upgraded trucks: "Now, make sure you have a good wdh/sway control and go make memories (safely) with the family!"
You need both the wdh and sway control for the truck handling and the safety of the occupants.
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And the safety of others on the road.
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2014 Passport Elite 31RE
2017 2500HD Crew Cab
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03-10-2019, 12:44 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Commerce Twp, Mi
Posts: 1,002
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To the OP and all the rest of you guys.......When i bought the TT 3 years ago, i was a newbie at hauling Travel Trailers, had a pop up for many years. The dealer offered a WDH or bumper pull with sway bar.Green horn as I was, i didn't ask to many questions and went with the 2nd choice. I Seriously have had 0 problems pulling my Hideout, no sway or whatever, but now after reading this latest post on WDH's, i will be investing in one before i start the season. Like many of you said, for the safety of me and my family and others on the road..Thanks!!!!
Hum, now which one!
__________________
TOM
2011 Chevy Silverado
1500, HD Tow Package
2017 Keystone Hideout 177LHS Carlisle Radial HDs
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03-10-2019, 01:16 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,345
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Which one? Anything is better than nothing, that said I would go equilizer E4. Easy install, easy set up and easy to remove and put on your next one...and there will be a next one, probably bigger.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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03-10-2019, 02:27 PM
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#17
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3,878
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E4, no doubt.
__________________
Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Impact 312
2017 Silverado 3500HD SRW
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03-10-2019, 03:13 PM
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#18
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,692
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E4 x 3....
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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03-10-2019, 03:21 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: radium hot springs bc
Posts: 2,007
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Get the E4 with the 1000# bars. As chuckster said be ready for the next RV.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 6.4 Harvest Edition
2018 Cougar 27RESWE
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03-10-2019, 04:45 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,286
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I think for a lot of half ton trucks, the manufactures tow guide says a WDH is required to tow.
__________________
Mike
2017 F250 6.7 Powerstroke FX4 crew cab
2016 Hideout 24BHSWE (27 foot TT)
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