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03-12-2005, 12:26 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 12
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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
__________________
Scott and Mary Youngblood
Tyler (son, 10), Emilee (Daughter, 8), Matthew (Son, 4)
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03-12-2005, 12:26 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 12
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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
__________________
Scott and Mary Youngblood
Tyler (son, 10), Emilee (Daughter, 8), Matthew (Son, 4)
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03-14-2005, 04:14 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Prattville, AL USA
Posts: 204
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What are you towing with and what is the tongue weight on the trailer.
Tom
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2001 Sunnybrook 33 BWS
2015 Chevy 2500 6.0L 4.10
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03-15-2005, 09:19 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ainsworth Hot Springs BC
Posts: 45
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Before installing your WDH I would make sure using one won't void the warranty of your pu.
__________________
2003 Palomino Filly
2000 Fleetwood Bounder 34 Class A
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03-23-2005, 10:37 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 62
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Since it's a safety item, I'd let the dealer do it. They are used to setting them up. Interesting idea from fishncamp. I never would have thought about that.
Good Luck!
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2003 Hi-Lo 2703 Classic
2002 Avalanche 2500
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03-23-2005, 08:28 PM
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#6
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Moderator in Memoriam
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Mesa, AZ, USA
Posts: 2,361
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I am a bit lost, Why would a WD hitch void the Reese designed one for the Coleman PU . Thanks for the info all.
__________________
Jim (SSG US Army Ret.) and Cheri (TSG Phx ANG Ret.) Mesa, AZ
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD Mega Cab Diesel | 2005 Honda Goldwing | 2006 35' Dune Chaser 5th Wheel
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03-24-2005, 08:16 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon (The right side of the Cascades and home of Crater Lake)
Posts: 857
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I would suggest looking at Reese's site( www.reeseproducts.com) and from there decide if the instalation is within your skills. BTW at the site select 'products' and side bar minilite. Happy Trails!!
__________________
Klamath Falls, Oregon:The Right Side Of The Cascades!
1990 Rexhall Airex 29I,Ford 460cid,Gear Vendor,Granning Tag Axel
'87 GMC Suburban 2500 W/454 CID
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03-25-2005, 04:33 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 11
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Before you buy a WDH, you should check with the manufacture to ensure you can use one on the new trailer. If the tongue on the trailer is C Channel you should not use a WDH. Unless it is a box frame you should not use the WDH.
__________________
https://irv2review.com/photopost/data/514/325license_20021121183724_71356-thumb.jpg
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03-27-2005, 04:46 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ainsworth Hot Springs BC
Posts: 45
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Some manufacturers of pu's will not warranty any damages to your frame cause by a wdh.This setup puts a lot of stress on the frame.We do not use a wdh but we take our unit fully loaded to the local scale on the highway and spent time distributing the weight as to not exceed the maximum gvwr on our tv and pu.Do not forget the weight of all your passengers and tongue weight go towards to total gvwr of your tv.Our local scale leaves the display on when closed so it makes it easy to spend some time distributing weight.Once you have it down remember where you packed everything for next time.A good way to lower weight is to not take any water,pop,beer,canned food(this stuff really adds up in weight) and buy them near where you are staying and fill up your water at the cg.If you still need more then add springs or airlift the rear of your tv.
__________________
2003 Palomino Filly
2000 Fleetwood Bounder 34 Class A
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06-01-2005, 08:10 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Carlos, Texas
Posts: 1,746
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Springs or air bags will not increase the capacity of your vehicle or camper. It will mask the effects of being at or above it's limits. Capacity depends on more than just how much the back end will hold. Things like brake capacity, axle diameters, steering components, extra cooling capacity. And the list goes on and on.
A WDH uses spring bars to tourqe the hitch and transfer weight to the front tires of the TV. You camper frame must be able to handle this tourqe, as well as you hitch, which must be a class 3 or better receiver. You must still be withinn the limits of your vehicle.
If you have sway control allready, consider the model 400 instead. It does not have sway control built in like the 350's, however, the 350 is designed for the Colemans with all the "stuff" Coleman or should I say Fleetwood like to put on the front. The 400 uses a single spring which comes up the center instead of the two on the outside (350).
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06-04-2005, 01:42 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ainsworth Hot Springs BC
Posts: 45
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The addition of springs or airlift does not mean you can carry more but can keep your vehicle more level while towing under the maximum gvwr.Spending some time at a scale and distributing weight properly is time well spent.Good luck to you.
__________________
2003 Palomino Filly
2000 Fleetwood Bounder 34 Class A
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