Towing - weight Distribution hitches and anti sway?

[timmmy]

Hi All,

well my new tow vehicle seems to perform reasonaly well for what it is (2001 Chevy Astro AWD), although its certainly no Nissan Titan (:( I miss y Titan).

I towed to NHIS with no issues, altough the soft springs in the Astro meant the vehicle was bum low nose high. I managed a respectable 15mpg towing on that trip (non highway). I also made a run to Falouth to colelct yet another Audi and managed 15mpg on that run too (empty there, loaded coming back).

So heres my question. I had some sway on teh Falmouth trip, partly because the Audi was heavy and too far back on the trailer (I couldnt move it up further due to my toolboxes on teh front of the trailer). I intend to purchase a weight distribution and anti sway setup prior to the Tremblant trip.

Right now I am looking at the Valley VA70270 hitch coupled with a Valley VA75190 sway control (frictional type). Total cost from my local trailer place is $375.00 for the hitch complete and $110 for the sway. I have checked the web and the prices are good, so if I go with this setup I will buy local (like to thelp teh local guy out when possible if the costs are close). Anyone have any experience with this setup, or others and care to share thier BTDT stories?

Cheers


Haydn (Timmmy)

769 ST3 green miata.

[TTA89]

This is what I use and its rock solid, I would buy it again without question. Super easy to install yourself and its easy to hook up and go.

http://www.equalizerhitch.com/

I bought mine off ebay for $399 with Free shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10000LB- ... enameZWD1V

Forget all the others, Buy this one. Its rock solid in the wind and once you get the weight dist bars setup you can put the car anywhere on the trailer.

My trailer is 24 feet, 18 foot full steel deck and weighs around 1800lbs, the car is 3600lbs and tows great. I tow with a Diesel and still the difference is night and day.

[Crusin]

One important consideration is the spring rate of the load leveler hitch. Mine are rated at 750 lbs. The trailer is 1900 and the car is 2000. The F250 really does not need the load leveler springs but the vehicle ride becomes less truck like and more 1960's Cadillac like. It I set the torsion springs up too tight, the truck becomes bouncy. With your set up, I do not think you would need 1000 pound springs. Discuss this with the shop where you buy the unit.

Lee

[Grippy]

From what i have read, the spring bar rating should match the max tounge weight rating of the tow vehicle. I really like the dual cam sway control setup, but it is expensive and probably overkill.

[Crusin]

Tongue weight rating of the vehicle, or the actual tongue weight of the loaded trailer?

[Grippy]

Tounge weight rating of the tow vehicle, I guess so you can't overload the hitch. Besides how would you weigh the tounge of the trailer?

[Crusin]

Load the trailer, put a jack stand on a scale and lower the tongue onto the jackstand. I believe there is a ratio of tongue weight versus gross trailer weight that is suggested for best towing performance.

[brucesallen]

TOngue weight needs to be 10-15% of trailer weight to prevent instability. It is my unterstanding that the hitch springs transfer excess tongue weight off of the truck rear axle onto the trailer axles and truck front axle. If you already have the car too far back on the trailer the hitch springs may only make it worse- less traction on the truck rear axle.

[Crusin]

True,,,and the same issue applies if the hitch springs are too stiff for the load. I can actually have a higher ride height on my truck if I snug up the 750 lb springs. Not a good situation.