Need WDH? - Page 3

nwhouston · 04-15-2016, 12:16 PM

Driller, we have a Blue Ox WDH on our '07 3124KS and '11 Chev Silverado 1500 Crew Cab w/ tow package. Ran for two years w/o WDH with no issues even to Sante Fe, NM from Houston. TM & TV were flat when connected.

After reading all posts, I opted for the WDH. It is an easy install and easy to hookup assuming you have an electric jack or well greased manual lift. Truck runs fine with WDH though a little more stiff (as expected) w/ the WDH. I will say that I have found more vibration damage on long runs with the WDH vs. w/o. As an example our oven was sitting free (screws on the floor) after the first day's run with the new WDH. I do have 1000# spring bars when 750# would be ok, so that may be the cause for the higher 'bounce' factor.

All in I am happy with the WDH; we use it on all long hauls. All the best with your decision.

Padgett · 04-15-2016, 12:45 PM

Hoo boy, said each car was different. My comment about lawyers was based on that conveniently round number of 3500 lbs. That is generally not an engineering or design number but is a Class II standard number.

Re GAWR for my Jeep it is 3700 lbs. The curb weight has 2240 lbs on the rear axle (said it was the lightest). Even figuring 200 lbs cargo and 182 lbs of fuel (not sure what ther curb weight includes for fuel) leaves over 1,000 lbs from GAWR. 460 lbs tongue weight is not even half without even considering f-r distribution.

In other words my TV has plenty of reserve and does not need any weight removed.

BTW while the Dexter axle rating was a concern, my main concern is the lack of tire clearance, less than an inch. Any additional load is going to reduce that and already have a slight rub. Have been fighting a lift kit but have ordered one though think I'll try a 1" rise first, suspect it is all I need since difference between the clearance on my tires and the stock 14's is about 1/4" (6.5 mm).

BTW re air lifts. One of the differences between the Factory Towing Package (FTP) for the 3.6 vs the Hemi is load levelling shocks. They are $228.00. Each. Air lifts do the same thing but the pair were $70. OTOH I have not installed because have not felt any need just like the larger Hemi radiator will fit but have not needed, on a hot day at 65 mph the temp sits just under 200F. Already have oil and trans coolers.

mecicon · 04-15-2016, 03:08 PM

Padgett, I may have missed an earlier post in another thread.

Have you taken your rig to a CAT scale and paid the $11.00 to get actual numbers?

Padgett · 04-15-2016, 04:32 PM

No but from all the other 2720SLs (seems to be TMs most popular unit) figure I am within 100 lbs. Do know exactly what the tongue weight is though, 460 lbs with empty tanks. Figure total road weight is 3750 +/- 50 lbs. Tongue may be a bit higher than most since have an electric jack and an auxiliary wheeled jack. Also need to add for dual solar panels, controller, and two GC2 batteries in the rear compartment. Inside load may be in the 100-150 lb range since includes 50 lb generator.

Figure axle load at 3800-460 -120 (tires, hubs, brakes, and wheels)= 3220 which is within 280 lbs of the max rated load for the axle. If I add a WDH then the max I can transfer to the rear is about 150 lbs plus 50 lbs to the front axle I need to set a WDH at about 200 lbs. max.

Just ordered the lift kit which JDS had in stock - total with tax and shipping $80.18. Plan to try a 1" lift first and just use the 2.5" as a pattern. That should provide enough clearance for my 205s (2150 lbs max load each)

It is not trivial to get the TM out-in so only do that when going somewhere. Much as I would like a king bed, this may be all that fits easily.

Driller · 04-17-2016, 10:20 AM

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions!

Currently when hooked up the Tahoe is level (Tahoe's have a slight rake to them empty) and not experiencing or feeling that the front end is loose, I will look into ordering a Anderson WDH.

I just find it interesting that with heavy duty suspension, a hitch rated at 600# and a towing package that one would need a WDH on a single axle trailer.

oldstick · 05-01-2016, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driller

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions!

Currently when hooked up the Tahoe is level (Tahoe's have a slight rake to them empty) and not experiencing or feeling that the front end is loose, I will look into ordering a Anderson WDH.

I just find it interesting that with heavy duty suspension, a hitch rated at 600# and a towing package that one would need a WDH on a single axle trailer.

I recently decided to try towing our 3023 without using the WDH on our 2007 Tacoma truck, which has the same hitch rating as your Tahoe (600). I didn't notice any significant difference in towing or sag at the rear. We don't normally carry too much weight in the truck bed and the massive weight of the WD hitch itself with the torsion bars easily adds 100 pounds plus several more inches of lever arm on the hitch, so I figure it is a wash.

A lot more convenient not having to hook all that extra stuff up as well.

rongreen · 05-07-2016, 06:50 AM

Hi All,

I recently took my 2007 3023 to a CAT Scale with my new 2015 Jeep Overland. Here's the weight measurements I received:

Car without trailer: Steer Axle: 2700 lbs Rear Axle: 2560
Gross weight: 5260.

Car with trailer AND with WDH hooked up and torsion bars attached:
Steer Axle: 2600 lbs Gross weight: 9440

Car and trailer with WDH torsion bars released:
Steer Axle: 2380 Gross weight: 9440

Some notes and thoughts:

With the torsion bars only firmly cranked up, not full-on muscle-man tight, the WDH is restoring the front axle to nearly its normal weight on the road. (2600 lbs vs 2700 lbs) I'm happy with that.

My 3023, with nothing in the holding tanks, 2 deep cycle 6v batteries, 2 full 5-gallon propane tanks, 300 Watt Inverter, and a rear 2" receiver weighs 4,180 lbs.

By the way, I recently bought a Sherline Tongue Weight scale. With the above-mentioned setup, my tongue weight is 600 lbs. I'm not happy with that but I also don't have any good ideas about reducing that weight. It is 15% of the measured trailer weight, so that's good, I guess.

Ron Green
Macomb, Il
2007 3023 with 5x100watt solar panels and a 3000 watt inverter.
Rear 2" receiver
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, Trail Rated

Padgett · 05-07-2016, 11:21 AM

Well figure 100 lbs for the 500W of solar/wiring/controller and depending on where you have mounted (and I suspect it is on the front module since only 300W will fit over the bedroom) can add to the tongue weight. And then a WDH adds another 100 lbs out on the end...

scrubjaysnest · 05-10-2016, 08:12 AM

Typical GC-2 battery weight is 63#, for a solat panel 17# to 25 # depending on size. For the SL/SD's the tare weight of an empty 5 gall propane bottle is between 21 and 22 # then add another 20 # for 4 gal of propane on a full bottle. 8.3 #/gal for water. Our SL as delivered was 3218#. That's no water or propane, A/C, Cabinets and awning were options. On the cat scales in NM in 2012 with 3 gal in the toilet, no other liquids, one propane full, one at 3/4 full. Two size 27 batteries in the back and 34# of solar panels on the couch and with the WDH connected the TM axle weight was 3680# and the GCW was 11200#. We two weeks of supplies in the camper plus bedding and some clothing in the wardrobe. The truck was stuffed as full as I could get it.

Need to recheck since we have put everything on a diet

Padgett · 05-10-2016, 10:05 AM

Exactly, with the WDH added you have exceeded the axle rating (if you have the stock Dexter 10H axle).

Just something to consider before deciding to add one. The TV and TM together have to be treated as a system and no two will be alike, The WDH is just one component and how it affects everything is important.