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Topic Closednew owner tow setup questions

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arrowhand View Drop Down
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Joined: 26 Aug 2018
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: new owner tow setup questions
    Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 6:29am
wife and I left a deposit for a 2018 180 this last sunday

pickup and walk thru is 10-4-18

I have all ready ordered the trailer brake controller and will get that installed asap

have been towing boats in the 17' to 23' upto about 5k in weight for over 30yrs, but this will be the first camping trailer

have a 2011 Ram 1500 4x4 with the tow package---have allready added airbags a few years back 

will i need a weight distribution setup and or sway control 

thanks for the replys
Stacy
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 8:30am
You will know when you hook up. A WDH will assist if the rear of TV is low and front is high, basically a droop at the hitch. I always recommend a sway control, but that's me.
Mike Carter
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 8:34am
Arrowhead,

Informative link:

http://www.withoutahitch.com.au/caravan/ask-expert-need-weight-distribution-hitch/
Mike Carter
2015 178
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 8:37am
With that truck you technically "don't need" WDH, but many like the altered dynamics with one. We use one with our F-150, and I prefer it when on the road. If I'm making a short haul, I will sometimes not use it. The setup is similar for most weight distribution hitches, and is primarily estimating the amount of weight shifted by measuring fender height at the front and rear of the truck. This is a good video on setup of the E2 WDH.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 8:47am
Consider also how you will end up loading the rPod and the pickup bed.  A wd hitch will partially redistribute the load that's behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle as well as the tongue weight. 

The tongue weight on a new empty dry rPod will likely be significantly lower than what you're going to see ready for a road trip. My tongue weight doubled, but I boondock mostly. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 11:35am
My F150 came with the heavy duty tow package, and I have never used a WDH.  It also says it has sway protection but I have never experienced anything like sway so either it works well or our combo works well.  we never load the trailer down in the rear so that may help.

Some folks like the ride in the TV better with a WDH.  You can't hurt anything by using one.
Keith-N-Dar
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arrowhand View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Oct 2018 at 7:18am
little follow up. 

So we picked up our 180 and towed home about 2hrs, put the air bags to about 30psi and very little sag in the rear. Dont think i have any reason to get sway control or a WDH. Cruised down the freeway at about 70mph and it did just fine. For the 2hr drive (50-70mph and flat terrain) the Hemi averaged about 14mpg on the dash display, pretty happy about that. 
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Oct 2018 at 3:14pm
You probably don’t need weight distribution but sway control is a good investment. My 180 shashayed side to side with only the ball hitch but once I added my Equalizer it was solid and steady.
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