My husband and I are looking at adding WDH

momto4girls · 07-08-2018, 10:21 PM

Quick question... can you back into a campsite with the wdh installed? or do you have to take it off?

How long does it take to install a wdh?

I'm pretty clueless about this. I mean, I know how they function and what they do. I just don't know the details of actually using one.

We've been fine so far without one, but I'm curious what kind of difference it would make. If it significantly improves the towing experience, we might be brave enough to make longer trips.

grubbyjeans · 07-08-2018, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momto4girls

Quick question... can you back into a campsite with the wdh installed? or do you have to take it off?

How long does it take to install a wdh?

I'm pretty clueless about this. I mean, I know how they function and what they do. I just don't know the details of actually using one.

We've been fine so far without one, but I'm curious what kind of difference it would make. If it significantly improves the towing experience, we might be brave enough to make longer trips.

Our 2720SL came with this hitch. (Below) I wouldn't tow this trailer without it or a similar setup. We've towed our trailer to from Colorado Spings, Taos and back; to New York state and have made numerous trips to Virginia and Arkansas with lots of travel over interstate as well as two-lane mountain roads and have always had good control in all kinds of weather.

Notice there is a slight drop in the rear of the tv and a rise at the front. When you slow or stop, that tilt will increase due to the trailer weight shift. On the road the front end of the tv is much lighter. I don't like it at all!

Be sure to watch the video. Set up isn't complicated at all.

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...xoC6egQAvD_BwE

Shane826 · 07-09-2018, 04:32 AM

To answer both parts of your question, it depends what hitch you have. My Andersen took me about 90 minutes to set up initially but only a couple minutes to hook up or disconnect now that it is set up. I can back up with no issues. Some traditional bar-type WDH shouldn’t be backed with. It will all depend on wht you get.

eddugo · 07-09-2018, 05:52 AM

I also like the Anderson. You can see how they work here: https://andersenhitches.com/Catalog/...ion-hitch.aspx

**dab1950** · 07-09-2018, 09:57 AM

Sorry, GrubbyJeans, but the hitch you referenced on etrailer is rated for a
400# tongue weight. The 2720's have a TW of ~450#.
I have a WDH that I bought from a private owner through craigslist. Still
had the factory label so I'm confident of it's ratings: 10,000 lbs towing, 1000 lbs
tongue weight. It's the old style with spring bars and chains.
I back the TM with WDH attached all the time. As a matter of fact, my driveway
at home is steep enough that w/o the WDH, the frame under the LP bottles
would drag the pavement. That extra 4" of lift at the ball really makes a
difference getting down the driveway.
The only problem I ever had backing with the WDH was a jackknife condition
when I turned too sharply and the hitch brackets came in contact with the
rear bumper of the TV.
For your Toyota, I would definitely recommend a WDH, properly rated
for your TM. Edit: Read the details on each WDH as you shop. Some allow
backing and some don't. Specifically, the old style(like mine) doesn't allow
backing as long as a separate attachment for 'sway control' is attached, even though
WDH is still on and working. Etrailer website has really great tutorials.
With a good WDH, you will enjoy extra stability and improved sway control.
As far as setup/connecting, I wish I had a powered tongue jack. I usually
break out in a sweat on this task.

Hope this helps.

**Bill** · 07-09-2018, 10:42 AM

Like DAB1950, I have a WDH, in my case a Reese trunnion style with 600-pound bars. It backs up just fine, including steep turns, because the tips of the springbars can move on the end of their chains. Initial setup will probably take half an hour, but once you have done it, all future hookups take only a few moments because you already know which chain link to slip over the hook.

Take a look at these tutorials in the TM Technical Library

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ad.php?t=18147
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ead.php?t=2616
and just for the fun of it
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ead.php?t=2923

I love it. It makes a definite difference in handling, so I never leave home without it.

Bill

grubbyjeans · 07-09-2018, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dab1950

Sorry, GrubbyJeans, but the hitch you referenced on etrailer is rated for a
400# tongue weight. The 2720's have a TW of ~450#.
<SNIP>
Hope this helps.

You are correct. I should have been more precise. The hitch I have is rated for my TM, purchased from the dealer with the trailer. It is the same STYLE as the one linked to.
Sorry for any confusion.

BrucePerens · 07-09-2018, 07:14 PM

A WDH works by torqueing both the trailer and the car downwards through the hitch receiver and A-frame. So, more weight goes on your front axle and your trailer's axle, and less on your rear axle.

A lot of people like the Andersen because it's simple. But the Andersen works using the tension of a chain on a really short lever. So, I am dubious about the mechanics of the Andersen. How could it apply much force at all?

I have a Blue Ox. There are many similar designs. The Blue Ox uses much longer levers.

Thanks

Bruce

**inghamm** · 07-09-2018, 09:38 PM

This is an Andersen video, so obviously they are trying to sell their product.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_dATB6ePWk

This is a good guide that includes the Andersen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6viDcFtIDhc

The Andersen seems to work for us, and the bonus is it weighs less, so this is important in our situation with a limited tow capacity.

**Larryjb** · 07-09-2018, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inghamm

This is an Andersen video, so obviously they are trying to sell their product.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_dATB6ePWk

This is a good guide that includes the Andersen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6viDcFtIDhc

The Andersen seems to work for us, and the bonus is it weighs less, so this is important in our situation with a limited wow capacity.

This could be an advantage I hadn't previously considered. The weight of the WDH is not insignificant.

Regarding the "backing up" issue. I read about that too, when researching the WDH. It was some of the anti sway systems that had to be disconnected to reverse in sharp turns.