Hello Bob, I transport TTs for the Mfgs commercially with my 14 Ram 1500 3.92 ED. To the tune of 525,000 miles often Ohio to west coast and back. To your 5 questions.
1 Yes.
2. Get factory TBC (trailer brake controller). Also consider a set of axle to frame bags such as Timbergrove to compliment the WDH. They support dampen and control the rear suspension for a very smooth quiet controlled road compliant tow.
Most any WDH with built in sway control will work fine assuming you have sufficient load bars for your TT. My favs are Husky Centerline & Andersen. The key to a safe stable tow is in setting your truck and trailer loading up well. IE axle weights and level trailer. Most people just set them by measurements which will get you in the ball park and is normally sufficient. If you want the safest most stable setup and best braking, that can be done and concretely by setting your WDH & loading up by CAT scale results.
Main goals would be A. replace the unloaded steer axle weight with TT attached. For your truck that would be between 3,200 & 3,400 pounds. B. Get your TW (tongue weight) in the 10 to 15% of gross trailer weight range. I adjust toward 12 to 12.5% as I know that is sufficient TW that even a flat front box TT will not wonder at 65 even 70 mph or be pushed by semi bow wave. Also that way I am not unnecessarily using up available drive axle weight or GVWR.
When using a WDH TW is found by subtracting your unloaded truck axle weights from your loaded truck axle weights off your weight slips. Example 6,900 pounds less 6,000 equals 900 TW. Add the TW to the TT axle weight shown on your weight slip for your gross TT weight. Example 900 plus 6,600 TT axle weight equals gross TT weight of 7,500. For your TW percentage divide the TW by the gross TT weight. Example 900 divided by 7500 equals 12.0% TW.
3. Nope. Set it up as above it will be safe stable comfortable and withing Mfg limits. Set it up by measurements and it will still likely be safe and stable. Throw it on a ball without WDH and pay no attention to weight distribution and you may be back here asking what to do. Thing is you only have to set it up by scale results one time and unless you radically change your loading it should stay safe & stable for as long as you own that truck & trailer.
4. Save your money
5. No. Safe & happy travels to ya.
Oh and the stiffer springs and load rated tires are a definite bonus. I've had good luck with both the Defenders & Grabbers in XL & E load ratings.
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