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Old 04-01-2017, 03:27 PM   #1
Larryjb
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Default 2720 questions

Now that I'm settled on getting a 2720, will be asking a few questions to help me decide what would be non-negotiable. I know I can't be as picky as I might seem in my wanted ad, but I can hope.

Current question: I want to get a brake controller and WDH now, so that if I see a good deal I can pick it up on the spot and not miss out because I'm not equipped. Is it true that the sway control will not fit with a swing hitch? How much would the anti-sway help in the event of a blow out? If the anti sway will help in adverse conditions, I might consider that. If not, I may just get a WDH without the sway control.

I'm considering the following:

Husky 30849
Tekonsha P3 brake controller
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Old 04-01-2017, 04:37 PM   #2
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Brake controller you will need to get it home and previous owner probably not going to want to go to the trouble to remove it (but maybe). WDH you might be able to get as part of the deal with the TM. I brought mine home without one, but would depend on your TV.
Learned here that few use sway control with TM and some think it counterproductive. Someone may be able to give you a link to a discussion; I can’t find it. I had no control problem when I had my blowout and I only have WDH.

Found this thread it may give you information you want. http://trailmanorowners.com/forum/sh...&highlight=wdh
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Old 04-01-2017, 06:27 PM   #3
bheisser
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unless you are driving a very small TV (tow vehicle) i think you can get it home without a wdh...i was nervous when i began to tow,, the person at ETrailer actually talked me out of it ....told me to see how it was,,,i have towed a 2720 with a tacoma over 5k miles last year without a wdh.. and have not had any issues.. you may want and need one but you can always just take it easy getting it home......if the tires are more than 5 years old replace them...if you are so inclined get a lift kit(if needed) and 15" tires
When you get a brake controller make sure you get/order the proper pigtail (that plugs in up under your dash.. for it ..once you get it home give it a good going over
tires, bearings, brakes, controller, hitch all the big safety points
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Old 04-01-2017, 06:41 PM   #4
Bill
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Larry -

First of all, what is your tow vehicle? If you have a really big vehicle, like an F-250, you won't ever need a WDH. If you have a medium vehicle, such as an Explorer you will probably need one, but you can tow your new trailer home without a WDH as long as you are slow and careful, don't tow in rain or snow, and don't plan on going more than a few hundred miles. If you have a smaller vehicle, you will need a WDH right up front.

Next, Trailmanors are designed not to sway. This is done by moving the axle back as far as possible, whioch is the same sway control technique that big trucks use. Of course, as you move the axle back, the hitch weight increases, and as the hitch weight increases, you have more need for a WDH. So there is a tradeoff, as you can see. Bottom line is that most trailers can put only about 10% of their total weight on the hitch (10% is the universally-accepted minimum), while Trailmanor puts about 14% on the hitch.

In terms of practical experience, I got my first TM in 2001. My wife and I put on a lot of TM miles every year. We have been through every conceivable road event that normally produces sway - trucks and buses speeding past, sudden sideways wind, emergency maneuvers, pavement beginnings and ends, idiots cutting in front, and so forth. No hint of sway. We have also had quite a number of blowouts over the years. Again, total control, never a hint of sway. The TM approach works for us, and many members have reported the same thing.

My conclusion is that you probably will need a WDH (unless you have a big vehicle), but you won't need sway control.

You can spend a lot of money on a WDH, or you can spend much less and get pretty much the same performance. My recommendation is that you get a simple trunnion-style WDH, rated 600-800 pounds, from any of the big makers -Reese, Draw-Tite, Curt, Hidden Hitch, etc. If you are unconvinced about sway, get one with what are called dual-cam bars. These allow you to add sway control later if decide you need it.

The springbars on a WDH will almost always fit a trailer with a swing hitch. I say "almost", because in the more-than-15 years that this forum has existed, we have had only 2 or 3 reports of springbar brackets that interfere with the hinge on swing hitch. I wish I knew how to determine in advance if a problem will exist, but I don't. Perhaps others can help.

Finally, because you are new to the Forum, I will suggest that you check out the Trail Manor Technical Reference Library. It is actually titled Trail Manor Information You Won't Find Anywhere Else, and it is right at the top of the first page. There are several good articles on determining if you need a WDH, choosing a WDH, adjusting a WDH, sway control, and the like. It is worth rummaging through the library.

Welcome aboard.

Bill
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Old 04-01-2017, 07:39 PM   #5
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Thanks for the welcome Bill,

I'm sort of new, I've been lurking for a few months as a non-paying guest. Now that I'm convinced I want a TM, I am now a paying guest. I have seen and read many of the threads in the technical reference library. It is partly from this library that I concluded I should use a WDH. What was still unclear to me was how valuable antisway would be in adverse situations such as a blowout. My father had a trailer with a WDH and when he had a blow out the rim was still hanging in air!

I think Lesherp has convinced me that antisway is unnecessary.

Oh, and my TV is either my Tahoe or my wife's 2008 Explorer (really nice ... I'm so jealous except for the fact that I can carry more in the back).

Larry
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Old 04-01-2017, 10:01 PM   #6
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Bill

I re-read the topics on the WDH and realized I had missed some points, although Lesherp's comments were still very useful. I'm now considering other brands of WDH, although that Husky is discounted. Reese WDH are more expensive. I've got some more research to do.
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Old 04-01-2017, 10:01 PM   #7
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Definitely don't need one with the Tahoe. The explorer can handle it ok. If you are not satisfied with the way it tows , you can then purchase a wdh. If you are worried about blowouts, purchase a RV tpms to monitor your tire pressure while towing.
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Old 04-02-2017, 12:13 AM   #8
Larryjb
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I read about those TPMS. They sound like a really great idea. I also read about one owner who went up to E rated tires before they stopped getting blow outs. They also had to upgrade their rims.

I think I'd still get a WDH, though. If I remove some of the load off the suspension, it might reduce some of the wear and tear on the rear suspension. Maybe I'm completely out to lunch on that, I don't know. I do tend to go overkill on things.
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Old 04-02-2017, 06:37 AM   #9
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I use a WDH with my Tundra because it rides better. As a matter of fact, the Tundra even rides better than when I'm not towing the TM.
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Old 04-02-2017, 11:07 AM   #10
Larryjb
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Bill, are you using the Reese 600lb tongue weight trunnion? Does it come with the hitch bar?

***Just answered my own question. It does not (it's called a weight distributing shank). Extra $100 at least.***

The picture on the Reese website doesn't seem to show the hitch bar.

I could get a 2" hitch without any adjustments for height for about $80. This may or may not work for the 2720, or any other type of trailer I get due to the height of the ball. I'd have to measure the height of the receiver on my Tahoe.

Then I looked at the height adjustable hitches and found that they're getting very close to the cost of a Reese trunnion.

Larry
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