I need to know about travel trailer weights

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Thanks, I have always wondered why the GVWR was so low for the 2500s.

I believe its to avoid commercial registration in states that put the cap at 10,000lbs. So the cap is the work around for most 2500 owners

 

[Vinman]

I would start with just the trailer on the ball and no gimmicky sway control or WDH. See how it pulls with 15% on the ball and the correct pressure in all the tires.

A properly weighted tongue will pull fine. Every time someone tells me their trailer is all over the place I tell them to shift weight forward and they say “that’s way better thanks”

don’t be scared of tongue weight.

The tongue weight scale I posted above costs around $60 iirc

I agree on the TW.
I always tell people “when in doubt, load more tongue weight”
While I currently have a 3500 SRW the last two trucks were 2500’s and pulled my 16x7 enclosed work trailer that as of a couple of days ago weighed only 4,850 lbs loaded but the tongue weight was 1,125lbs. No WDH was ever used with that trailer and it has never had any handling quirks.
The trailers built out for a contractor with the front half full of cabinets for tools and the rear half easily used for materials, hence the ridiculous tongue/axle weight ratio.
As far as travel trailers advertised weight, I found that occasionally a manufacturer will weigh that particular trailer as sold, so it includes all options and is accurate but most don’t factor in options like A/C, microwaves, TV’s etc.
The last trailer I purchased new was advertised as having a dry weight of 6,500 lbs and as soon as I left the dealership I headed straight to the scales, it weighed exactly 6,995 lbs with only one battery and partially filled propane tanks. Nothing else added.

 

[AH64ID]

No the 12k is the safety buffer AAM rates the rear axle at 10,900lbs. The tires and wheels are the first limitation in the current setup really

I haven’t researched it lately, but I bet the new 12” houser is higher than the 10,900 than the 11.5” housing was rated for in 03.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I haven’t researched it lately, but I bet the new 12” houser is higher than the 10,900 than the 11.5” housing was rated for in 03.

Yea the 12 is higher but still no literature out from AAM on it that i have found. Im sure the 12 is good for at least 12-13k not that i would ever load those axles that high lol but im sure 1500 owners would try that much though

 

[Blythkd1]

Your post reads like you are using WDH and Sway Control synonymously, and they aren’t the same.

Yeah I know the difference. I did wander a bit in that post. I was in a hurry to get back to work.

Just an example this is ~1700 LBS tongue weight without a WDH or airbags on my 2500 CTD it drove beautifully at 65MPH. You will be plenty fine with a 2500 hemi with the little weight on the tongue of your trailer…

View attachment 53433
Another example this is a 2150LBS water tote and about 7-800 LBS tongue weight. The 2500s are pretty capable and they have a GVWR of 12k not the 10k registration weight they falsely put on them
View attachment 53434

And you don't have air ride or any enhancements added to your truck? if that's a stock 2500, it stands up to tongue weight better than any I've ever had or seen. I had to pull one of those big park units from NE to far NW Washington State a few years ago behind a dually and could not wait to get rid of that F'n pig.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

And you don't have air ride or any enhancements added to your truck? if that's a stock 2500, it stands up to tongue weight better than any I've ever had or seen. I had to pull one of those big park units from NE to far NW Washington State a few years ago behind a dually and could not wait to get rid of that F'n pig.

At the time no i did not have airbags i still don't even have my bags installed. Thats my stock truck i did have about 300lbs of stuff in the box moving the park model too. I am very impressed with the coils on this 2500. The only reason i have bags is for the very winding logging roads with the water tote in the box i wanted a touch more stability.

 

[silver billet]

Unpopular opinion: WDH belong in the trash they are garbage and cause more issues than they solve.

Yeah. One of those opinions that are not only unpopular but completely incorrect. Facts ... Feelings yada yada.

You obviously don't need to use them as quickly pulling the same load in a 2500 vs a 1500, but to call them "gimmicy" and "garbage" is just inane.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Yeah. One of those opinions that are not only unpopular but completely incorrect. Facts ... Feelings yada yada.

You obviously don't need to use them as quickly pulling the same load in a 2500 vs a 1500, but to call them "gimmicy" and "garbage" is just inane.

A WDH is very rarely needed in 2500 and up trucks. People love to get caught up in the gimmick. I know lots of people who bought in to the WDH hype and after spending way to much money on the hitches and not having a good driving experience then i tell em to ditch the WDH and they are much happier.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Yeah. One of those opinions that are not only unpopular but completely incorrect. Facts ... Feelings yada yada.

You obviously don't need to use them as quickly pulling the same load in a 2500 vs a 1500, but to call them "gimmicy" and "garbage" is just inane.

Knew somebody would be triggered.

Every truck can pull its rated bumper pull trailer weight, If loaded correctly, without a WDH.

Maxed out plenty of half-tons and mid-size trucks on towing capacity and never once needed a wdh.

 

[AH64ID]

Knew somebody would be triggered.

Every truck can pull its rated bumper pull trailer weight, If loaded correctly, without a WDH.

Maxed out plenty of half-tons and mid-size trucks on towing capacity and never once needed a wdh.

I’ve pulled all my heavy bumper pull trailers with and without a WDH.

The ride is far more stable and controlled with a WDH, so it’s not needed… but it sure is better with it.

If a WDH causes issues then something is wrong, it should only improve things. The rougher the road the more improvement they provide, so maybe it depends on the places you tow.

 

[jetrinka]

A WDH is very rarely needed in 2500 and up trucks. People love to get caught up in the gimmick. I know lots of people who bought in to the WDH hype and after spending way to much money on the hitches and not having a good driving experience then i tell em to ditch the WDH and they are much happier.

I may or may not be one of these people. Luckily was able to get a complete refund for the absolute piece of trash Husky WDH I bought with the trailer....

 

[silver billet]

Knew somebody would be triggered.

Every truck can pull its rated bumper pull trailer weight, If loaded correctly, without a WDH.

Maxed out plenty of half-tons and mid-size trucks on towing capacity and never once needed a wdh.

The facts are, a WDH when used correctly will always outperform the same truck/trailer without one. Simple physics my friend.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

The facts are, a WDH when used correctly will always outperform the same truck/trailer without one. Simple physics my friend.

Unless you factor in comfort and suspension and turning capability as the WDH makes for a rougher ride

 

[AH64ID]

Unless you factor in comfort and suspension and turning capability as the WDH makes for a rougher ride

My experience is the complete opposite. The ride is smoother and more stable, as is the steering feel on rough roads.

There are times I have to disconnect the WDH for off-road trailer parking, but that’s the only limitation or downside I have found.

 

[jetrinka]

I had the worst experience with the Husky WDH I had. Other than having to totally reinstall it (dealer did wrong), when it was correctly installed the friction based anti-sway feature would bind coming out of corners out on the road physically steering the back of the truck forcing me to countersteer excessively to keep the truck straight. It was insanity. I pulled the WD trunnions off and towed without them on and it was 110% better.

There may be better options as the Husky is the only thing I've had experience with but I can tell you that even my super soft PW tows the trailer just fine without the hitch. I do have airbags to prevent squat and it works great.

 

[AH64ID]

I had the worst experience with the Husky WDH I had. Other than having to totally reinstall it (dealer did wrong), when it was correctly installed the friction based anti-sway feature would bind coming out of corners out on the road physically steering the back of the truck forcing me to countersteer excessively to keep the truck straight. It was insanity. I pulled the WD trunnions off and towed without them on and it was 110% better.

There may be better options as the Husky is the only thing I've had experience with but I can tell you that even my super soft PW tows the trailer just fine without the hitch. I do have airbags to prevent squat and it works great.

Don’t confuse WDH and anti-sway. Throw that anti-sway friction bar away. A trailer with proper tongue weight won’t sway, unless it’s built wrong.

 

[Blythkd1]

The facts are, a WDH when used correctly will always outperform the same truck/trailer without one. Simple physics my friend.

How so?

 

[jetrinka]

Don’t confuse WDH and anti-sway. Throw that anti-sway friction bar away. A trailer with proper tongue weight won’t sway, unless it’s built wrong.

That was the problem with that hitch - the anti sway and WD part of it were the same part. The trunnions acted like a spring and the tension of them sliding on top of the trailer tongue brackets is what go your anti sway feature. Super dumb

 

[silver billet]

Unless you factor in comfort and suspension and turning capability as the WDH makes for a rougher ride

I cannot imagine how bad of a WDH setup you last had in order to come up with such a wrong opinion.

WDH's give you better comfort. They distribute the load on your entire truck, not just your rear springs/shocks. Without a WDH your back end will wobble up and down and side to side like a yoyo. With it, your whole setup moves more as one entire unit. The 2 best WDH's you can get (propride and hensley stinger) actually eliminate sway completely by moving the pivot point to over your rear axle, they tow and feel like a 5th wheel and not like a bumper pull.

Turning capability is not an issue, that may have been a thing in the 90's when you were running with after market sway bars on a simple chain WDH. Any good, modern WDH provides both weight distribution and sway control. Example, Husky centerline or the Anderson no sway. And I can jacknife my setup if I wanted, all without any problems from the WDH.

 

[Brutal_HO]

I cannot imagine how bad of a WDH setup you last had in order to come up with such a wrong opinion.

WDH's give you better comfort. They distribute the load on your entire truck, not just your rear springs/shocks. Without a WDH your back end will wobble up and down and side to side like a yoyo. With it, your whole setup moves more as one entire unit. The 2 best WDH's you can get (propride and hensley stinger) actually eliminate sway completely by moving the pivot point to over your rear axle, they tow and feel like a 5th wheel and not like a bumper pull.

Turning capability is not an issue, that may have been a thing in the 90's when you were running with after market sway bars on a simple chain WDH. Any good, modern WDH provides both weight distribution and sway control. Example, Husky centerline or the Anderson no sway. And I can jacknife my setup if I wanted, all without any problems from the WDH.

Few also realize the WDH also transfers weight to the trailer axles and can help with some stability on the trailer end. I would also add that double towing with some anti-sway between the 1st and 2nd trailer improves control. One cannot always add too much more tongue weight than reasonable to the rear of the 1st trailer without affecting the whole system adversely.