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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: invest in load levelling shocks or WDH
    Posted: 31 Mar 2015 at 1:09pm
Originally posted by Alaskan RPoder

I've been advised by the folks at Blue Dog RV's in Idaho that an Anderson Trailer Hitch is the way to go.  I have a newer F150 Ford.  Any thoughts about the need for this.  Not really sure how this hitch works but the technicians was big on it.  
 
Necessary for weight distribution, technically no.  You are well under the weight limits for your truck.  A good idea for any TV since it puts more weight back on the wheels that provide your steering and most of your braking, yes.
 
It is a very good idea to have some type of sway control no matter what TV you have.  Many but not all WDHs include sway control, I don't know if the Anderson does.
 
Using a WDH will also provide a better ride since it adds an additional suspension system to the rig, which is primarily why I continued to use our E2 after we moved from a Sienna to Suburban.  It felt much better even though it wasn't necessary.
 
There may be cheaper options out there, like the E2 and Equalizer.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2015 at 12:53pm
Originally posted by furpod

Originally posted by bearclaw68

I have WDH and airbags. Figure overkill is better. Plus instead of fiddling with WDH chains to achieve perfect balance just add or reduce air in bags to get perfectly level. Airbags run from 5 lbs to 90 lbs. 30 lbs is about right to keep our 179 level. When not towing I drop to 10 lbs for smooth ride. Tacoma 4x4.


If you are using the airbags to "level", then the WDH is doing nothing. It can't unless it is used as a lever to move the load across all three axles. That's what it does. Might as well not mount it at all...
 
Definitely true if the air bags had air in them while the WDH was being set up.  All WDH instructions say that if your TV has a self-levelling system it must be turned off during setup.  But since the system is ok to use after setup I'd think inflating manual air bags just before the point that the rear axle starts to rise it would be ok.  But not necessary, since the WDH if set up correctly will do the whole job by itself.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2015 at 12:26pm
Originally posted by bearclaw68

I have WDH and airbags. Figure overkill is better. Plus instead of fiddling with WDH chains to achieve perfect balance just add or reduce air in bags to get perfectly level. Airbags run from 5 lbs to 90 lbs. 30 lbs is about right to keep our 179 level. When not towing I drop to 10 lbs for smooth ride. Tacoma 4x4.


If you are using the airbags to "level", then the WDH is doing nothing. It can't unless it is used as a lever to move the load across all three axles. That's what it does. Might as well not mount it at all...
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Posts: 7 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2015 at 12:18pm
I've been advised by the folks at Blue Dog RV's in Idaho that an Anderson Trailer Hitch is the way to go.  I have a newer F150 Ford.  Any thoughts about the need for this.  Not really sure how this hitch works but the technicians was big on it.  
Alaskan RPoder
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Posts: 45 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2015 at 10:19pm
I have WDH and airbags. Figure overkill is better. Plus instead of fiddling with WDH chains to achieve perfect balance just add or reduce air in bags to get perfectly level. Airbags run from 5 lbs to 90 lbs. 30 lbs is about right to keep our 179 level. When not towing I drop to 10 lbs for smooth ride. Tacoma 4x4.
John and Dolly
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RP 179
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Posts: 633 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2015 at 8:37am
Originally posted by furpod

No such thing as a "load leveling shock". Shock absorbers do nothing but control oscillation. Springs carry the weight. Heavier springs can be installed, air springs can be installed and aired up or down as needed, etc.

But as Doug said, if towing with a front wheel drive vehicle, a WDH is going to be your best bet to properly plant your drive wheels. 

Furpod is correct. All so called load leveling shocks realy just ad spring. The problem with this is unless it is adjustable you are going to stiffen the rear end of your TV which will affect the ride of your vehicle when You are unhitched. 

I also think that WDH Is the way to go. Only takes me a couple of minutes to set mine up. The biggest downside for me is storing the bars for the WDH. I really like the Anderson WDH for this as it does not have bars only chains. I have an E2 and can't afford an Anderson but if I could that is the way I would go. 

Edit: I just looked at your amazon link and yes they just put an extra spring around the shock to increase the load handling. 
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 2015 at 4:32pm
No such thing as a "load leveling shock". Shock absorbers do nothing but control oscillation. Springs carry the weight. Heavier springs can be installed, air springs can be installed and aired up or down as needed, etc.

But as Doug said, if towing with a front wheel drive vehicle, a WDH is going to be your best bet to properly plant your drive wheels. 
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2015 at 5:49pm
WDH will put the proper load back on your front axle, which is a double plus for a front-wheel drive vehicle.  The shocks or airbags won't.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2015 at 3:58pm
Being just couple hundred tongue weight for rpod-178 I wonder if weight distributing hitch worth the extra time to hitch and unhitch ?
I like the idea of being able to camp  from place to place quickly .
Do you all feel the issue when not using weight distributing hitch, when you have load leveling shocks ?
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2015 at 3:37pm
The cost is about the same.  Do you think it's better to put in money to replace my Chrysler town country rear shocks with load leveling shock or  just use weight distributing hitch ?
Maybe cheaper with load leveling shocks.

Plus I like the fact, that I can hitch and unhitch quickly without WDH.

Does any one tow with Chrysler town Country ?

If you have load leveling shock, do you still need WDH ?


This monroe load leveling shocks have  good review


http://www.amazon.com/Monroe-58648-Sensa-Trac-Adjusting-Absorber/dp/B002Q7SGHO/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1424723684&sr=1-1&keywords=58648

I know my van will have a sag with the current shocks. Because last year I replaced the rear shock with softer shock to have softer ride.

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