What Weight Distribution Hitch do You Recommend for a 3800 Pound Rpod Trailer?
Question:
WDH/SWAY BAR QUESTION: While picking up our 2021 190 warranty work at the FR factory in Elkhart, our tech and warranty contact person pointed out our WDH/Sway bar system and advised us that it may be too strong for our Pod. He referred us to a Pod that had come in for repairs where the 2 front corners had totally pulled away/split from the sides, which he said was caused by a system that made the Rpod and the tow vehicle connection too stiff and did not allow for enough flex, which he said is necessary. They indicated the first sign that there is not enough flex is a crack above or below the entry door to the pod. The warranty contact person said that FR has sent out a service bulletin to dealers warning against consumers using too strong of a hitch system. I could not get a copy of that service bulletin however. Our RPod weighed at a CAT scale loaded but no water 3240 bls. our Tow vehicle is a 2021 Nissan Pathfinder w/ towing capacity of 6000 lbs. Our WDH is a Husky Centerline TS with 400-600 lb tongue weight with a 2 in ball with a max gross trailer weight of 6000 lbs. The posted dry weight is 3192 and the GVWR is 3807 and the tech referred to these numbers when he said that the 6000 lb capacity was too much and, in his opinion, had the potential for damaging the front corners and causing a crack by the door. We were under the impression that a bit more 6000 lbs was better than too little, but we are rethinking everything after seeing the horrific damage. We traveled home about 2 hours from Elkhart without the bars at his recommendation. It drove OK. Our 190 was totally empty though and there was very little wind. Thoughts and recommendations from anyone out there? I am now confused about WDH and Sway bars and if they can be used separately? Are there lighter systems?.
asked by: Thomas R
Expert Reply:
You definitely need a weight distribution system with an anti-sway system that does allow for some flex. If the tongue weight rating is too high, it can be super tight during transport. As far as weight distribution hitches and anti-sway systems used independently, you can use an anti-sway system independently, but most weight distribution hitches already include sway control with them.
With that being said, for your 3,807 GVWR RPod camper, the best route is to use the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 4,000 lbs GTW, 400 lbs TW # EQ37040ET. This system is designed for maximum tongue weights of up to 400 pounds and is in the exact sweet spot for your trailer. As long as your trailer has 25" - 32" of frame exposure from the coupler, you are good to go! It also is compatible with trailer frames up to 6" high and comes with a 2" ball.
With this system, since it is rated up to 400 pounds of tongue weight, it is important to make sure that your loaded tongue weight on your trailer falls below this limit. The combination of the loaded tongue weight and the gross vehicle weight rating is what determines which weight distribution/anti-sway system to use.
I went ahead and attached a demo video of this system in action. As with all trailer applications, it is always important to consider and apply manufacturers recommendations for your RPod trailer.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 4,000 lbs GTW, 400 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 200 lbs
- 300 lbs
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
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