Vintage Sleds, Vintage snowmobiles => Pure BS (Non Vintage Sled Related) => Topic started by: chris r on May 17, 2021, 10:42:20 am
Title: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: chris r on May 17, 2021, 10:42:20 am
I recently bought one of these Andersen hitches to pull my camper with and am wondering if anyone has seen one, or any experience with one. I put it together yesterday (didn't watch the video yet :))and might give it a go later on this afternoon.
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: Vics stuff on May 17, 2021, 12:53:24 pm
I am a bit confused as how that is going to work for a distribution hitch when you can not load tension on the receiver ? Let us know how it works. Vic ::) ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: chris r on May 17, 2021, 01:05:00 pm
I am a bit confused as how that is going to work for a distribution hitch when you can not load tension on the receiver ? Let us know how it works. Vic ::) ::) ::) ::)
The chains in the photo are for the tension, not used as safety chains. The plate on the bottom is pinned to the ball so the trailer coupler and ball rotate as one so no friction at that connection. It's designed so that when I tighten up the chains, it raises up the truck. There's some measuring involved in setting it up.
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: opsled on May 17, 2021, 02:48:44 pm
I would not use that. Weight distribution wizardry.
Yes they do help put weight back on the front axle but it’s still not a balanced load.
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: 71TXman on May 17, 2021, 03:31:40 pm
How common are their products? I have not heard of them. That looks very….well, I am not sure. Not something I would trust just by looking at it. Seems to be a lot of money for not much material there.
If you want weight distribution, go with a good company with a good reputation, like Reese brand products. Depending on what your tongue weight is, and your gross trailer weight (GTW), I would highly suggest one of these setup’s. I have used these on multiple campers, my big snowmobile trailer too. My dad used this on his late 70’s two axle Wilderness camper pulled with our 78 Suburban and it worked beautiful.
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: GHenry on May 17, 2021, 04:21:30 pm
I'd buy one of the more conventional "bar style" levelers .... they work fantastic and very simple to set up and adjust, but that's just me.
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: chris r on May 17, 2021, 06:01:42 pm
Thanks for the responses.
I've already got it hooked up and it's a very well built. Not sure the picture does it justice. The price is comparable to the torsion style, but more money than the old cast iron style with the chains and clamps like I had 30 years ago. I was shopping for the torsion bar style when I first saw this one and the guy behind the counter said it's their best selling style.
A couple I know have one and in her words: "We just got one. Holy wah! Trailer doesn’t so much as wiggle behind the motor home now. John is going to raise the hitch on the trailer so the ball isn’t quite so low - it’s the lowest point and drags pretty easy. Pretty sure you’ll love it." I'm pretty sure John didn't read the directions. LoL ;D
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: mr bolens on May 17, 2021, 08:37:44 pm
Chris that looks like it will work real nice no more binding when you cut a tight turn
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: 71TXman on May 17, 2021, 10:21:55 pm
Hope it works well for you Chris! What sized camper are you pulling? What is your truck/vehicle?
When I pulled our older camper with my 99 GMC Sierra Classic I put in a set of rear helper springs, 10 ply tires, plus my Reese trunion bars. Fully loaded truck & camper, I was surprise it handled it very well. The tires made a huge help too.
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: chris r on May 18, 2021, 10:36:27 am
Hope it works well for you Chris! What sized camper are you pulling? What is your truck/vehicle?
When I pulled our older camper with my 99 GMC Sierra Classic I put in a set of rear helper springs, 10 ply tires, plus my Reese trunion bars. Fully loaded truck & camper, I was surprise it handled it very well. The tires made a huge help too.
Thanks Justin. I know it's a gamble, but a lot of cool things have been invented that would have gone un-noticed if nobody took a chance on those things. Plus, made and sold here in the USA.
Camper is O.A.L. 33'7" and empty weight is 6,500. I bought a 2019 Chevy 1/2 ton rated to town 9,500 #s. It's got power enough, but I have yet to hook up and go. Life keeps pushing us backwards and we're hoping to get away a couple of times this year.
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: 71TXman on May 19, 2021, 02:56:07 pm
Thanks Justin. I know it's a gamble, but a lot of cool things have been invented that would have gone un-noticed if nobody took a chance on those things. Plus, made and sold here in the USA.
Camper is O.A.L. 33'7" and empty weight is 6,500. I bought a 2019 Chevy 1/2 ton rated to town 9,500 #s. It's got power enough, but I have yet to hook up and go. Life keeps pushing us backwards and we're hoping to get away a couple of times this year.
That is quite the large camper!!! With my old half ton I had it a bit overloaded, but if you do it right & take your time you will be just fine.
At least that item is made/sold here! You will have to let us know how it works for you.
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: Teamgreen711 on May 19, 2021, 07:56:57 pm
Hey Chris;
Back when we bought our new camper in 2018 the only hitch the dealer sold was the Husky Centerline. They installed hundreds up here at a large chain dealership in the Northeast . No idea if they are the best or not but you can do research on them. I didn't purchase what they had , instead I had my 10k torsion bar installed and set up by them. Honestly I don't like the creaking and Popping I hear especially on tight turns or backing up. Never the less seems just ok by itself.
On yours almost looks too simple to work properly. As you turn a tight corner one chain gets super tight the other is now loose. Additionally I would be wary of the durability of the rubber bumpers and the actual Durometer of them as well. Not trying to be dis-respectfull just calling it as I see it.
The game changer in my view is the Airbags I installed on the rear of my 18 Silverado. With my 6500 lb camper I use 30lbs in the bags. What these do is level the truck somewhat and prevent "porposeing" which keeps the front end of the truck on the ground at all times. Before install the wife noticed the bouncing up and down of the truck- now she says "Did you forget to hook the camper up" LOL
Hope this helps, Teamgreen
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: mr bolens on May 19, 2021, 08:21:24 pm
On that one the chains stay the same when you turn the bottom turns with the ball. Look at the picture
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: Trackstand on May 20, 2021, 02:37:31 am
A few years back we bought a toy hauler, it was 26’ and I thought my 3/4 ton Super Duty with air bags would drag it no prob. Driving it home was like driving on ice at 65 mph, tried less air and more air, when a semi passed I thought we were going sideways. I bought a Reese weight distribution hitch and it was a world of difference, couldn’t believe it could solve the issue. Have never seen the style with just chains but I would recommend the Reese if yours doesn’t work out. That’s my experience.
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: chris r on May 20, 2021, 11:17:34 am
Back when we bought our new camper in 2018 the only hitch the dealer sold was the Husky Centerline. They installed hundreds up here at a large chain dealership in the Northeast . No idea if they are the best or not but you can do research on them. I didn't purchase what they had , instead I had my 10k torsion bar installed and set up by them. Honestly I don't like the creaking and Popping I hear especially on tight turns or backing up. Never the less seems just ok by itself.
On yours almost looks too simple to work properly. As you turn a tight corner one chain gets super tight the other is now loose. Additionally I would be wary of the durability of the rubber bumpers and the actual Durometer of them as well. Not trying to be dis-respectfull just calling it as I see it.
The game changer in my view is the Airbags I installed on the rear of my 18 Silverado. With my 6500 lb camper I use 30lbs in the bags. What these do is level the truck somewhat and prevent "porposeing" which keeps the front end of the truck on the ground at all times. Before install the wife noticed the bouncing up and down of the truck- now she says "Did you forget to hook the camper up" LOL
Hope this helps, Teamgreen
Appreciate the response. I had intended to buy a torsion bar type hitch, but have heard others talk about the noise and honestly that would probably drive me nuts. Every squeak. LoL. This new style is something I'll have to learn as I go I'd guess. One thing I have going for me is, I bought it from a trailer supply business who've been in the same location for at least 40 years. Only about 30 miles from me so I go there from time to time and value their opinion. The guy with the most Gray hair said he's had no complaints or returns on these hitches, so I took a chance on it. Time will tell. Also +1 on the air bags. I will install them if it feels to mushy.
On that one the chains stay the same when you turn the bottom turns with the ball. Look at the picture
I'm itching to take this unit apart so I can see what makes it tick, but don't want to make a $500. mistake and void the warranty before I even use it. :-\
A few years back we bought a toy hauler, it was 26’ and I thought my 3/4 ton Super Duty with air bags would drag it no prob. Driving it home was like driving on ice at 65 mph, tried less air and more air, when a semi passed I thought we were going sideways. I bought a Reese weight distribution hitch and it was a world of difference, couldn’t believe it could solve the issue. Have never seen the style with just chains but I would recommend the Reese if yours doesn’t work out. That’s my experience.
Thanks for the thoughts on this. Being in control of the load in the best way possible is what I'm hoping for. I had the old iron style hitch on my last camper, but the torsion bar style got my attention so that was the direction I was heading in. Reese brand was what I had planned on checking out first, but the place I was heading to is no longer in business, in the same location since 1954. A couple friends said just get one online, but I didn't want to deal with that.
Again, thanks to all the responses to my questions on hitches. :)
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: HYDRAULICYAM on May 20, 2021, 11:36:27 pm
Had reese on my wifes stock / horse trailer and the horse was loaded ahead of the axle and tended to wander side to side in the trailer and it was a hazard with out the bars BUT i often stopped on road to hook or unhook them as most horse shows involved entering a field though a ditch or swail and the noise was awful plus it could hang up the rear drive axle and spin out... Horses gone !! I like the steer design on this chain hitch for weight distribution theory BUT it wont be as effective as the nasty reese bar to stop sway,, My 7x18 V sled trailer can have the odd nasty dip or dive BUT that V pushes the pickup sideways in a gust or meeting a highway trailer ..I have a little wedge device on the ball platform to keep it tight in the truck hitch as the top of the ball wiggling side to side will steer the trailer as well... I installed a friction sway bar to stop the wind moving me around ...drives straight but one noisey device when you turn ::) ... Recall taking the Fat quadtrac to a show in a flat wind swept area ... winter . pack ice and you get the strange felling something is wrong and then i could see the entire side of my trailer and read the writing on the decals at 40 mph ... Adjusted the steering and headed for the shoulder which had a nice crusty coating of ice and straightened me out... Load was good for tougue weight and just a 40 mph side wind on the trailer and glare ice.. .. I like the design but think you might like a sway brake as well ,, curious to see how it feels with heavy side winds on trailer .. Ron
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: chris r on May 21, 2021, 11:29:26 am
Horses gone !! I like the steer design on this chain hitch for weight distribution theory BUT it wont be as effective as the nasty reese bar to stop sway,, ..I have a little wedge device on the ball platform to keep it tight in the truck hitch as the top of the ball wiggling side to side will steer the trailer as well... I installed a friction sway bar to stop the wind moving me around ...drives straight but one noisey device when you turn ::)
I like the design but think you might like a sway brake as well ,, curious to see how it feels with heavy side winds on trailer .. Ron
Trailer sway is something that I'm concerned with for sure. I had asked the Gray beard guy about needing a sway control shock absorber (if that's what it's called :-\) and he's saying not necessary. Told me that customers are using these hitches for large and small rigs with no complaints. But, he's the guy I gave the cash to so................. ;D ??? ::) ;D
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: Teamgreen711 on May 21, 2021, 07:30:22 pm
Please let us know how this works out for you.
Thanks, Teamgreen
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: chris r on June 11, 2021, 11:12:34 am
So I had put the hitch together a couple weeks ago and finally got the trailer out yesterday for my maiden voyage. I have the trailer setting nice and level and the back of the truck might be "just a tick" high, but didn't have any added weight in the bed or a full tank of gas so I'm thinking I'm close on my tension adjustments on the chains.
I took it down the road probably 10 miles, making 10 left/right turns. Did a few panic stops (almost panic) and got the brakes adjusted and everything felt good. Then, I did some soft swerves like if a garbage can or naked stripper was in the road with no big concerns. It seems that the trailer sway was very much under control.
This is the first time I've had the trailer on the road even through we've had it 2 years so I'm for sure behind on getting educated. One of my friends stopped by on his way home so he hung out and went for the ride with me. He got his first camper when he was 12 so I value his experience, not only about trailers in general, but also when it comes to hitting the road. He uses the cast iron arms with the chains that clamp to the trailer tongue like I had years ago and he looked at the new style hitch I bought with some extra scrutiny and honestly said he wasn't sure about it, but once hooked up and down the road I think he feels it will be a good deal. Said he'd have never bought it because it was too different than what he is used to.
We'll see how it goes moving forward but so far I'm saying it's a +1.
Thanks for the replies and have a nice day, night, whatever the case may be.
:)
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: chuck k on June 12, 2021, 05:04:18 am
I tow a 26' toy hauler with a 2014 Ram 1500 4x4. 5900 empty, 7500 loaded. 935 tongue weight empty. I use a Curt Trutrack anti sway hitch. this system works very well. I have had no issues with side winds. I could see where your system would work for distribution.
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: chris r on June 12, 2021, 11:17:03 am
I tow a 26' toy hauler with a 2014 Ram 1500 4x4. 5900 empty, 7500 loaded. 935 tongue weight empty. I use a Curt Trutrack anti sway hitch. this system works very well. I have had no issues with side winds. I could see where your system would work for distribution.
My camper is 6,500 empty, not real sure how the total weight will add up but I'm hauling my own water. I'll get some miles on it this coming week and will have a better idea of how well it works. Curt is what I was intending on when I went to purchase. Basically I got steered in the other direction by the guy behind the counter. Price was the same.
Title: Re: Weight distribution hitches
Post by: chris r on June 19, 2021, 01:33:24 pm
Put on 400ish miles with no big concerns. Did have some cross winds to deal with and had some sway, but I'd say it was minimal compared to some of the campers that were passing me. At this point, I'll go with success.