Weight distribution hitch question?
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14275
Printed Date: 21 Jun 2025 at 1:48pm
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Topic: Weight distribution hitch question?
Posted By: SkeeterPod11
Subject: Weight distribution hitch question?
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2020 at 3:36pm
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Hi all,
I’m about to purchase a Fastway E2 Weight Distribution Hitch, My Rpod 2016 180 is about 3700 lbs loaded plus tanks and tongue weight. At etrailer they recommended a Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Round - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW.. although this seem as it would meet my needs. The Fastway e2 2-Point Sway Control Round Bar Hitch, 94-00-0800, 8,000 Lbs Trailer Weight Rating, 800 Lbs Tongue Weight Rating is approximately 50lbs more in unit weight and only about $4 more. Would it be a better call to go with the higher rated option or is the excess unit weight/higher specs negatively impact my towing experience? Appreciate any help. Thanks for your time. |
Replies:
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2020 at 3:45pm
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Bigger isn't always better with WDH. If the bars are to stiff, they can start to make things worse, or even cause damage. I would reccommend the E2 600/6000 Wdh. I never used the round bar set up, but I know for sure the square bar set up works great. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2020 at 3:49pm
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We have a 179 which generally weighs about the same as your 180. We use an Equalizer 4 point wdh with 6000 pound max and 600 pound sway bars. They work well for us--but I don't know how it specifically compares to the wdh you are buying. I have learned from this forum that having bars with too high rating might cause a harsher ride and too much weight transfer. Probably someone with more knowledge will step in and give a more precise answer. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2020 at 5:03pm
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If you look at the loading on the wdh spring bars its pretty easy to have around 800 lbs on them to get the weight on the front axle back where it was without the trailer, especially if you have dual batteries and/or dual propane cylinders and carry water. If you know your weights and dimensions you can use this calculator to determine the spring bar load you will wind up with. For that reason I would recommend the 800 lb system if you plan to boon dock. That's what my wdh rating is and i find the ride to be just fine. If you don't carry water, dual batteries, etc then sure, go with the 600 lb system. https://www.ajdesigner.com/apptrailertow/weightdistributionhitch.php - https://www.ajdesigner.com/apptrailertow/weightdistributionhitch.php ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2020 at 10:43am
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I think either would work, but I also think the E2 600/6000 is a better match for that trailer. The bigger unit will be a bit stiffer, but would probably work OK. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2020 at 8:30am
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Guess I missed it.. What vehicle are you putting this on? ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: SkeeterPod11
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2020 at 10:09am
| I do plan on upgrading to dual batteries and propane but I still believe I will fall closer to 600lbs TW then 800lbs. So I am leaning toward the E2 6k TTW/ 600 TW model appose to the 800/8000 model. I have also been looking at the equalizer 4 point. Does any feel one is significantly better then the other and is easier to install..? Then this will be getting installed on a 2021 Toyota Tacoma SX |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2020 at 12:48pm
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Can't say which one is better, but as I said earlier, I have the fastway E2 600/6000 w/ square spring bars, and it works great. I have a 195 that is about 700 pounds heavier than yours should be, and never a problem with sway. I have a Frontier, so same basic truck. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2020 at 1:28pm
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The wdh has to lift both the trailer tongue and any cargo in the tow vehicle that’s behind the rear axle. That’s why I suggested you take a look at the calculator I sent the link to. You can adjust the wdh bar tension in the calculator to get the weight on the front axle to be what it was without the trailer. That’s what you will do for real when you set up your wdh, if you have dual batteries and propane cylinders and fill your water tank you will be over 500 libs on the hitch alone, not counting any TV cargo. I’m at 500 with only a single propane cylinder. The wdh ratings are typically the max for each size hitch, not the minimum, there is a range for each size so for example an 800 can be used down to a lower weight. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2020 at 1:36pm
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I had the E2 600/6000 on my 2017 SR5. I found I had no requirement for it and swapped out to just sway control. I also had dual 6V batteries on that tongue. I may have driven offgrid nuts as I built my spreadsheet for load balancing in the trailer, once I had that down to a science, there was just no need for that hitch. I mis-understood what WDH/LLH hitches do and they're effects (possible or probable). So I went for the E2 with sway just because others talked about how wonderful it is. I was much happier without it and just sway control. My 2 cents and just that. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2020 at 9:19am
So that’s what happened. Gonna hafta let my therapist know.  ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |