Weight Distribution

[meganjoe]

Hi everybody..

We are planning on buying a Coachmen Clipper 17FQ. The GVWR is 3518 lbs. and the tongue weight figures to be about 300 lbs. +

We will be towing it with a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. which is rated for 6200 lbs.

Do I need Weight Distribution and Anti-Sway stuff?? Of course the dealer says yes but I've been reading conflicting reports online.

If I do need it can you guys and gals give me some recommendations??

Thanks, Joe

[Dennis4809]

For just moving it around the yard, weight distributing hitch and sway bar probably not needed. For highway trips, I wouldn't be without them. Single axle trailers can whip pretty bad when a semi passes you. I pulled a 17' trailer with a Jeep Cherokee and a couple times forgot to tighten the sway bar. Remembered quickly as we encountered a bigger vehicle.

[jesilvas]

I have a one ton dually, and I still want WD hitch and anti sway. Trailers are big wind sails, and don't ride the best without the hitch.

[kayakcrazy]

Our previous trailer was a Dutchmen Kodiak (about 4800 pounds out in the rain). On our first trip out to British Columbia I knew immediately that I needed a WD after meeting semis in those mountain passes . We now have a Timber Ridge (2400 pounds heavier) and love how our Andersen WD handles the swaying and removes most of the bucking action going over the bumps.

[sprayman]

we'll be using an Equal I Zer don't leave home without one

[twinboat]

Test

[bdornbush]

The Jeep Grand Cherokee (JGC) 2014 owner's manual states that if your gross trailer weight is 3500 lbs or more, a weight distribution hitch (WDH) is mandatory. We also have a JGC 2014 and use a WDH with our 2600 lb trailer. We had a blowout on the trailer last fall at 65 MPH, and the rig came to an easy and safe stop at the side of the Interstate. I attribute the good handling to the combination of the JGC and the WDH.

[meganjoe]

Originally Posted by bdornbush

The Jeep Grand Cherokee (JGC) 2014 owner's manual states that if your gross trailer weight is 3500 lbs or more, a weight distribution hitch (WDH) is mandatory. We also have a JGC 2014 and use a WDH with our 2600 lb trailer. We had a blowout on the trailer last fall at 65 MPH, and the rig came to an easy and safe stop at the side of the Interstate. I attribute the good handling to the combination of the JGC and the WDH.

Well I guess that about tells the story.. Thanks for pointing that out..

I'll be getting one

Joe

[keymastr]

Also your tongue weight could be as high as 450 pounds as that is 13% of the gross weight of 3500. Trailers handle much better when tongue weight is between 12% and 15%.

[timetogo]

For a really good hitch, look at SwayPro By Blue Ox

[Superslif]

Yes, especially with a single axle trailer.

With DW set-ups, the cheaper units will have round trunnion bars (spring bars), the better spring bars will be the square bars. The shank, again, the cheaper ones are "cast steel" the better ones are "forged steel". A buddy of mine showed me his "cast shank" that had broken right in half pulling out of a gas station. I got my set-up online "free shipping" here Reese-Hitches.com

I got the 800lb. square spring bars because my tt. was 550 dry at the hitch. You might go with the 500 or 600 lb. bars.

I think I paid about $450 delivered for WD with 800 lb. square bars, forged shank and ball.