We bought and are preparing to bring home our first travel trailer, a 2021 R-Pod 195, Hood River Edition (with 15 wheels and extra ground clearance).

I need to procure a WDH w/ anti-sway for my F250 SD tow vehicle. I plan to buy an Anderson WDH (horizontal chains rather than bars). To order the right PN I could use some measurements:

* confirm that the RP-195 hitch ball is 2 & 5/16 inch.

* the vertical height of the tongue frame within 1/8 inch (where I need to attach brackets).

* the height from ground of the hitch ball socket with the trailer level.

Can anyone provide these measurements?

Thanks very much,

We do keep our speed down...60-65mph

You certainly have enough truck!  So, why would you bother with a weight distributing hitch?  A friction damper for sway control might be nice.  I use one of those.  The rest of your questions should be addressed to your dealer/seller or Forest River.  I bought my 180 at a Camping World.  They set it up for me and their hitch prices were quite good, so if you show up bare, they'll fix you  up for not much $$. 

You might want to have your preferred brake controller installed beforehand so you can shop for price.  Mine took about 2 hours. 

I appreciate the replies. To answer a question, 2 x 60lb bikes + rack is going to be around 180lb total.

We were very much hoping for something that would allow us to not have to lift the heavy bikes into the back of the pickup (so one person could do it), which is why we were thinking of a rack behind the trailer. But the several warnings against it, are causing is to plan on having two people for loading/unloading the bikes into the pickup.

We are not keen on putting the bikes inside the trailer - I doubt they would fit without loosening the handlebar stem and tilting the handlebars parallel with the front wheel, which means readjusting the stem each time we take them out. Also not keen on the tire scuffs inside the trailer, and trying to find ways to secure them for travel inside.

Tnx,

I appreciate the thoughts on waiting until we get this home. Its only a 35 mile trip from the dealer to home and I expect I can handle that in my F250 without antisway. That will allow me to make my own measurements to get the right solution.

BTW, I agree I probably don't need weight distribution with my F250, but I would like Anti-sway that I don't have to disconnect when backing up. For that reason I'm leaning towards the Anderson solution.

Happy Podding,

We took delivery 4 days ago and drove the rig back home 35 miles at highway and freeway speeds up and down big hills the semi trucks passing us in both directions, and wing guest up to 25mph. Not a hint of sway with no WDH or anti sway device. The only thing noticeable was a bit of fore/aft pogo which I attribute to hitch receiver and hitch ball slack. But I get the same pogo when hauling my 5000lb 30hp Kubota on its beaver tail trailer.

I as well have never used a WDH and have towed with the following '94 F-150, '08 and '13 Explorer, '11 and '17 F-150 for over 36,000 miles and 10 years using a cheap $ 50 Curt anti-sway bar - no problems and no issues.

Only thing not mentioned but you probably already know is to have the nose of your 195 down about 1" or so from the back.  This will also greatly reduce the potential for sway.