Will I need a WDH?

[Bailey'sMom]

Now that I have purchased my first trailmanor, a 2720SD, I will be purchasing a new (used) tow vehicle. I am 90% sure that I am buying a Chevy Traverse with tow package. That will have a 5200 tow capacity.

Based on 10% tongue weight that would mean 520 lbs. will this be sufficient capacity without using a WDH or should I just get a WDH?

If I need one, any suggestion on which one to get?

Where do I get one? An RV dealer? Do I need to have my Trailmanor first to verify what kind I need? I don't have my TM yet.

Or do I try towing it on my first trip before deciding if I need a WDH?

Thanks in advance

[scrubjaysnest]

Without a WDH typical hitch MAXIMUM ratings are 500# tongue weight and 5000# draw weight. There should be a label on the hitch giving ratings with and without a WDH. WDH's are available through many sources, on line, local hitch shops and RV dealers. Check prices. Spring bars of 750# to 1000# ratings will be more then enough for the SD.

Not sure about Chevrolet, but GMC has a Towing Guide which includes the Acadia (Traverse's twin). There it says that a WDH is "not required". Also that tongue weight should be max 600# (or less so as not to exceed the SUV's GVWR or rear GAWR).

500-600# limit for a class III weight-carrying hitch is pretty typical. Ford tells me I can only carry 500# on my truck's hitch.

I would load up your SUV and trailer and try towing it to the nearest scale to check the GVWR and GAWR.

[Bill]

Just as a quick note, the 10% figure is not right. This figure is bandied about on various web sites as an absolute minimum tongue weight for any and all trailers, and it is driven by trailer sway considerations (less than 10% is likely to induce sway). In order to eliminate sway, Trail Manor tends to mount the axle further aft than others do, which increases the tongue weight. The number I have worked with for TMs is around 14%, and this agrees with the figures in the table on the TM web site.

For example, a 2720SD is listed as gross weight (dry) 2685 lb, tongue weight (dry) 392 lb. This is = 14.6%. You can expect this ratio to remain approximately constant as you add options to the TM, and constant again as you add all your "stuff". So if your optioned and loaded TM comes up to 3600-3800 pounds, numbers which are commonly reported, the tongue weight will be in the range of around 525-555 pounds.

I would not be at all comfortable without a WDH. Not only is the tongue weight over your rating, but the rear end of the Traverse will sag (pointing the headlights into the sky) and the front wheels of the Traverse will be unweighted, costing you steering control and braking. For all these reasons, I would go ahead and spend the $200-300 that a WDH will cost you.

Bill

[trailbiker]

Originally Posted by Bill

Just as a quick note, the 10% figure is not right. This figure is bandied about on various web sites as an absolute minimum tongue weight for any and all trailers, and it is driven by trailer sway considerations (less than 10% is likely to induce sway). In order to eliminate sway, Trail Manor tends to mount the axle further aft than others do, which increases the tongue weight. The number I have worked with for TMs is around 14%, and this agrees with the figures in the table on the TM web site.

For example, a 2720SD is listed as gross weight (dry) 2685 lb, tongue weight (dry) 392 lb. This is = 14.6%. You can expect this ratio to remain approximately constant as you add options to the TM, and constant again as you add all your "stuff". So if your optioned and loaded TM comes up to 3600-3800 pounds, numbers which are commonly reported, the tongue weight will be in the range of around 525-555 pounds.

I would not be at all comfortable without a WDH. Not only is the tongue weight over your rating, but the rear end of the Traverse will sag (pointing the headlights into the sky) and the front wheels of the Traverse will be unweighted, costing you steering control and braking. For all these reasons, I would go ahead and spend the $200-300 that a WDH will cost you.

Bill

Does tongue weight include what you might have in the back of your tow vehicle or is it just what is on the ball?

The trailer's tongue weight is just what is on the ball.

But when calculating what size WDH bars you need, the manufacturers usually take into account the weight in the truck behind the rear axle, as the WDH will be lifting up that too. Equal-i-zer for example

[Bill]

Originally Posted by trailbiker

Does tongue weight include what you might have in the back of your tow vehicle or is it just what is on the ball?

This is a good question, not often asked. It is important to read the towing section of your owner's manual, but I think it is usually just what is on the ball. As others have noted above, this rating is derived from the strength of the hitch assembly itself, including the bolts that attach it to the vehicle frame.

However, there is another number that must not be ignored. This is the weight rating for the rear axle, formally called GAWR-R (gross axle weight rating - rear). It refers to all of the weight carried by the rear axle, including the rear portion of the weight of the vehicle itself, the weight on the hitch ball, the weight of the cargo in the trunk or way-back of the tow vehicle, and a portion of the weight of the passengers. This number is often found on a sticker in the driver's door opening.

And there is a third number that also can come into play. It is the total weight of the entire rig, including the tow vehicle itself, the trailer, all cargo, passengers, gasoline - everything. This number is the Gross Combined Weight Rating, or GCWR.

Of the three, I have found GAWR-R to be the toughest to meet. But I guess the point is that even if you meet the hitch weight spec, which we have concentrated on in this thread, you are not done. We all really need to weigh our rigs, and there are several threads on the topic. Search on CAT SCALE.

Bill

[trailbiker]

Thank Bill

I have a Honda Ridgeline and have not had any problems towing, but i carry a lot in the bed behind and over the rear axle. If the WHD takes some of the weight off the rear axle that would be good. I have not been able to weigh the rear axle fully loaded, but I suspect it is near the GAW. This might be a good reason to buy a WHD regardless of tongue weight.

[Bailey'sMom]

Originally Posted by Bill

But I guess the point is that even if you meet the hitch weight spec, which we have concentrated on in this thread, you are not done. We all really need to weigh our rigs, and there are several threads on the topic. Search on CAT SCALE.

Bill

I hope to be able to weigh mine once its loaded, but time will be tight.

I will definitely check the sticker on the receiver when I get my Traverse on Saturday. My trailmanor should be delivered Friday night. Being towed here... Cross your fingers it goes without any problems.

My dealer - Custom RV in Ontario,CA, a very respected dealer, said that if your back bumper goes down more than three inches when you hook up the trailer then he suggests a WDH.