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Oversized load distribution hitch?

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gpokluda View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Oversized load distribution hitch?
    Posted: 06 Mar 2025 at 12:58pm
The Nissan Frontier is Nissan's answer to the Tacoma. It is a mid-sized truck with a V6 motor. I believe ours has a 6500lb towing capacity and our 179 was about 3200lbs dry.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Mystical_Mama Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2025 at 12:48pm
Originally posted by gpokluda

You will get lots of varying opinions on this. Personally, when we towed our 179 with a 2016 Nissan Frontier, we started off with just an anti-sway bar at the recommendation of the RV dealership. After a couple of trips, we switched to a properly sized, full WDH with anti-sway (Fastway E2) plus updated the rear suspension of the Frontier with Sumo Springs. Once we dialed everything in by loading the truck and trailer as if we were going camping, we towed for over 50K trouble free miles. I'm a fan of the WDH as long as it is sized correctly, setup correctly, and the tow vehicle can accommodate a WDH.

I know nothing about a Frontier...is it a V6 or V8?  What is its max tow capacity?  And how heavy was your 179 dry?

ps:  I am planning on "dialing in" my Tacoma plus RPod 192. My trailer came used with the same hitch the previous owners used.  It is a monster WD hitch and we had to adjust it up for my Tacoma but we didn't adjust the WD bars yet...




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Post Options Post Options   Quote LuckyLindy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 8:28pm
Thanks to all! 

I went to a trailer shop to have wheel bearings inspected and repacked. He declared them in great shape and simply added fresh grease and replaced seals. My Enduro tires are in great shape as well. While there, we talked and did a ton of research on the tow rig I'd inherited in the sale. We considered adding a a simple sway bar to the A frame. Nope. Took it on the highway w/ standard 2 inch drop hitch and I did not like the feel. 

Yes, the rig that came with the sale is rated for a heavier trailer but after much discussion (and the test run w/o it), I decided to keep the rig. Shakedown cruise at highway speed proved to be the right decision. Even in high crosswinds on Sunday, I felt safe. 
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Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Mar 2025 at 11:17am
Originally posted by mjlrpod

I do not believe a 191 weights anywhere near 4000 pounds. What is your weight distribution hitch recommended for? You should have a max of 6000 / 600 model. 

An empty 191 weighs 2,932 lbs with a max capacity of 863 lbs for a total of 3,795 lbs. 

So if it's empty, you're right. I would plan for a weight of ~~ 3,800 lbs to be safe.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote mjlrpod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2025 at 3:21pm
I do not believe a 191 weights anywhere near 4000 pounds. What is your weight distribution hitch recommended for? You should have a max of 6000 / 600 model. 

2017.5 Rp-172
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jato View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Feb 2025 at 3:11pm
You have been given excellent advice from the above 'seasoned' podders.  In my case, a fully loaded 177 with 36 gallons of water (usually boondock and tank is behind the axle) weighs in at 2940 lbs.  The tongue weight is 340.  The first 8 years of towing was accomplished with an '08 or '13 front wheel drive Explorer and much of the miles covered with either going across the midwest or traveling in the Rockies.  The last 6 years we have towed with an '11 and '17 F-150.  In all cases a simple friction bar was utilized with no issues encountered.  Weather conditions over the last 14 years have included: blizzards, heavy snow, hail, sleet, heavy rain and cross winds in excess of 20 mph.  To date we have driven our 177 over 51,000 miles.

Edited by jato - 25 Feb 2025 at 3:12pm
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john in idaho View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote john in idaho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Feb 2025 at 10:45am
then there is the subject of tires.  When I went to load range E tires all of the little tiny side-to-side movement that you see in the rear view mirrors went away
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Post Options Post Options   Quote LuckyLindy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 2025 at 2:18pm
Thank you ALL. Will report back. Mighty helpful. 
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JR View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote JR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Feb 2025 at 9:03am
Your Chev pickup is stout enough to handle your rpod both towing and tongue weight without any additional equipment.  It is simply a matter of what you prefer like GlueGuy has indicated. I have a 22 Blazer with a 3.6l engine and I have a safeway e2 equalizing hitch with 600 load rated bars on it. The bars of the hitch work as the sway control for this setup. This setup works well for me and I feel confidant in it.  So the minimum that I feel that you need would be a sway control bar but using a 600 load rated e2 equalizing hitch would not be out of the question or do any damage if set up properly. The sway control either from a equalizing hitch or sway control bar helps to mitigate the wind/vacuum effect of a 18 wheeler passing you on the expressway which tends to make your rig wonder while driving at 60 mph down the expressway. Just get something that gives you peace of mind. Happy camping.
Jay

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Post Options Post Options   Quote LuckyLindy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Feb 2025 at 9:01pm
Thanks to one and all. Apologies for not supplying adequate information and photo. Which I will do hoping you good folks will hang in there with me. I'm pulling the 191 w/ a Chevy 1500 (half ton) regular cab with tow package. Will get specs and post. 

JR, I did make an appointment with what seems to be a qualified RV dealer for next week. Really appreciate all of you and hope I can share experience with another newbie some day! 
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