Using a WDH rated higher than required

[kevin61]

I'm keeping my eyes open for a deal on a weight distribution/sway control system for the 17 ft. Boler project. I don't need it with my little Sonoma but my sister will be pulling the trailer with a Hyundai Santa Fe.

I am trying to find a WDH in the 350 lb. tongue wt/3500 lb. trailer wt. range but have come across no deals yet.

I've come across this one which is rated for up to 600 lb. tongue wt.

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-R...QAdIdZ198181711

Besides it being physically heavier to lift, are there any problems using a heavier system?

[Chris L.]

What year is the Santa Fe? If it is a 2007 or newer, you can't use a WDH with them because of the way the hitch mounts to the car. The hitch on my '07 has a big warning to not use one. Good luck on your quest.

[kevin61]

thanks for the information Chris. The Santa Fe is brand new.. I will be having a look at it next week so I will go through the manual. Not sure how well the Santa Fe will pull a 17 ft. Boler without a WDH. If it won't work then I may have a trailer for sale!

[Bill F.]

I'm keeping my eyes open for a deal on a weight distribution/sway control system for the 17 ft. Boler project. I don't need it with my little Sonoma but my sister will be pulling the trailer with a Hyundai Santa Fe.

I am trying to find a WDH in the 350 lb. tongue wt/3500 lb. trailer wt. range but have come across no deals yet.

I've come across this one which is rated for up to 600 lb. tongue wt.

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-R...QAdIdZ198181711

Besides it being physically heavier to lift, are there any problems using a heavier system?

I have a 600/10,000 WDH that I towed 10,000 km this past winter with no problems. I tow a trailer that I think weighs about 3,000 behind a 05 Freestar van. Princess Auto sold this hitch for Cdn$120.00 on sale last fall. It is a pain to hook up each time but makes the trailer tow very smoothly. I can also now fill the fresh water tank(located right at the front of the trailer) when boondocking.
Bill

[Roy in TO]

I tow a trailer that I think weighs about 3,000 behind a 05 Freestar van.

Your 13.5' Bigfoot weighs 3000 Lbs.?

[Loren G. Hedahl]

I think it would be better to pay more to get a hitch properly sized for the vehicle/trailer.

Under normal circumstances the heaver duty one will work just fine -- but -- the heavier weight-distribution bars have the potential to put much greater forces on both the vehicle and trailer frame under certain circumstances. It is when you drive from a level street onto a drive way, for example, that slopes upward abruptly that transfers the most force. The point just before where the rear wheels of the car just start to rise is the point of greatest stress.

A trailer with a broken, bent frame is not much fun to fix. Don't ask me how I know! (DAMHIK)

[Donna D.]

Kevin, would a single bar WDH work for your application? I know Gina used one on her 17' Burro towed by a Jeep..
Reese 66069 Light Duty Weight Distributing Kit Single Bar

[kevin61]

Kevin, would a single bar WDH work for your application? I know Gina used one on her 17' Burro towed by a Jeep..
Reese 66069 Light Duty Weight Distributing Kit Single Bar

I have been looking at that one. Once I go through the Santa Fe manual I will make a decision. If the use of a WDH voids the warranty because of the unibody construction of the Santa Fe then I will at least install some load leveler springs and make an assessment from there.

[Victor Benz]

Kevin;

Here's the one I have been looking at. Its 350#

http://www.etrailer.com/p-66041.html

Vic

[Steve L.]

Just installed the single arm unit on the Casita. A bit of a struggle because of the peculiar tongue configuration but I appear good to go. First trip in a couple weeks so no usage report yet.

One thing to keep in mind is where the brackets attach to the frame. On the Casita with most of the two bar units the frame hanger brackets would be located in the middle of the propane tanks. Because I have two tanks they hang over the frame making putting brackets there problematic. In the end, not an option for me. A single tank mounted between the arms of the frame probably wouldn't have the same problem.