Friction sway control OR weight distribution

Originally posted by CharlieM OK. Here's my put on the subject. I tow an RP-172 with a 2010 4WD Honda Pilot rated at 4500 pounds. BTW, I also have a V6 Tacoma but I don't tow with it. Sway control and weight distribution are two separate functions. Sway control keeps the trailer directly behind the TV so it doesn't try to steer the TV. It usually employs some sort of friction device. Weight distribution shifts a portion of the trailer tongue weight off the back of the TV and onto the TV front wheels and trailer axle. This restores steering control to the TV front wheels. In addition the WDH eliminates most of the "porpoising" experienced when going over dips and bumps on the road. For light weight short wheelbase TVs like the Tacoma and Honda I highly recommend both. This is for safety, comfort, and mental stress. Many Podders use the E2 hitch which combines weight distribution and sway control in a single device. A single set of bars provides both functions. When PROPERLY ADJUSTED you won't even know the Pod is back there, except for acceleration and gas mileage. I emphasize: read and understand the installation instructions and check the setup. Don't trust the dealer's work. An improperly adjusted WDH can be worse than nothing at all. I had that experience and had a very bad time until I readjusted the hitch. I have the E2, have gone through the setup, and am very glad to have it.

Thanks.  Is there a particular WDH that you would recommend?

+1 on the E2.  I've had mine about 3 years now and still use it with my newer TV even though it isn't necessary from a weight distribution standpoint.  It still makes the ride much more comfortable, acting as an additional spring between the TV and pod.

Before I moved from the Midwest, I was pulling a 6800# trailer using a 10,000# capacity WDH.  I kept that hitch and now use it on my R-Pod, although it is larger than recommended.  Buy a 6000# capacity hitch instead.

Bob

I'd like to try a WDH sometime to see if I notice a difference, but here's what I infer from the fact that I'm not seeing a problem without a WDH,the  pod weighs roughly 3500 pounds, and that at least the E2 WDH starts with a hitch rated for 6000 pounds and goes up from there: I don't need a WDH and it seems like the WDH manufacturers don't think they are necessary for lighter-weight trailers like the pod.  Why don't they make models for 4000 and 5000 pound trailers?  I would think a WDH might really make sense for a light trailer behind a TV rated to pull a 3500 pound trailer.  Maybe not so much for a pod behind a TV rated to pull 5000 pounds.

I used to think trailer brakes were sort of a luxury for careless people.  Having used them with the pod I'm totally convinced they are almost an absolute necessity, aside from the fact that they are almost universally legally required.  I have an open mind about WDHs, but remain unconvinced, at least in my case with an FJ Cruiser rated to pull 5000 lbs and with WDH manufacturers implying rather clearly that they don't see a need, or at least they don't see a market, for WDHs for trailers under 6000 pounds.

Convincing me to spend $400 just to check it out is so far a no-go.

TT