WDH Or Not?

[Tone]

Been through the forum but there's no exact answer to the question. Looking for an answer on whether to use a WDH or not. Trailer guy says a WDH on our trailer could bend or twist the trailer's A-Frame. I checked with other dealers and they say no problem. It's all a bit confusing.

I see other towers with the same trailer and comparable trucks using E2s or TR3s with no issue. Traded down from a '16 250 and never used a WDH. Towed like a dream; stable with no sway.

Know the 150 will tow with no problems. Concerned about sway and overloading the receiver without a WDH.

The Specifics:
'21 XLT, 3.5 EB with 3.55s. Tow package, 20" tires, larger radiator. Pro trailer. 7050# GVWR.

'21 Cherokee Wolf Pup 18TO. CAT Weighed dry weight, 3960#. Wood frame, aluminum side walls. Don't have an exact tongue weight. Manual says 437#, but in reality will probably be closer to 550 to 600#.

What say you? Thanks.

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[fatBatman]

I'd use a WDH for almost any travel trailer because it's not just the weight but also the wind sheer when passing other vehicles/trucks or crosswinds. I know that's a pretty lightweight trailer but I'd err on the side of caution.

What does Forest River say? I'd call them directly and take what a dealer tells me with a grain of salt. Most dealers don't know much about towing the rigs they sell.

 

[powerboatr]

you gvwr of the trailer appears to be 4999 lbs
with just a smidge of 100 lbs of wiggle on the axle,

your camper is rated at gvwr of 4999 lbs lets use 5k lbs and 10% of that is 500 lbs so you are right at the limit for needing a WDH
if we use 15% thats 750 lbs of tongue and you are clearly in the WDH requirement based on on the trucks hitch decal

i would call forest river and ask point blank about WDH
you can get one that is not going to exert to much pressure on the trailers frame. you would need hitch bars in the 500 to 800 lb range

IMO bars in the 700 lb range will most likely work fine. HOWEVER if you carry a heavier tongue then you need higher rating the bars.

when you buy the wdh set up, make sure you can swap out to lighter or heavier bars once you set it up as ROAD ready with all the gear etc not to exceed the 4999 lbs as rated by forest river
you have just over 1k lbs of room for STUFF.

a few key elements
tow level, tow with not too light of weight on axle so it does not sway and go crazy, conversely do not tow over rated axle weight.
as it to could cause to light of hitch weight and excessive sway

t

 

[Tone]

What does Forest River say?

FR will not commit either way. They recommended calling Lippert, the A Frame manufacturer. Same. They will not commit to a yes/no due to liability issues. The most Lippert will admit is that some 18TO owners use a WDH.

Thanks.

 

[Tone]

a few key elements
tow level, tow with no too light of weight on axle so it does not sway and go crazy, conversely do not tow over rated axle weight.
as it to could cause to light of hitch weight and excessive sway

t

Thanks much. The Wolf Pup is on the ragged edge of the hitch-only specs.

Going for a CAT weigh to determine Tongue Weight. After a ton of research, narrowed down to the E2 or TR3. Both come with range tongue capacities from 500# and up.

 

[powerboatr]

well easy rule then is if your tongue weight is over 500 lbs, which is most likely will be
then use wdh that is sized for the weight

 

[Tone]

well easy rule then is if your tongue weight is over 500 lbs, which is most likely will be
then use wdh that is sized for the weight

Good rule of thumb. Thanks.

 

[powerboatr]

I have dealt with many departments within lippert since 2006
Most of time, it takes a bit of drilling to get right person, then I get great customer service
But things change
Hopefully they give you a final bit of info to set you at ease

 

[Snakebitten]

I technically didn't have to, but why wouldn't I use a WDH for "dialing it in"? I LOVE this little WolfPup toy hauler. And I've yanked it all over the country.

Worked like a champ. I could relax in the fast lane with everything loaded properly.

 

[22Platinum]

I LOVE this little WolfPup toy hauler.

Which one is that? I'm eyeing the Grey Wolf Black Label 18RRBL

 

[Tone]

"? I LOVE this little WolfPup toy hauler. And I've yanked it all over the country.

Thanks.

Love our Pup as well.

 

[PB2021]

I would not want to tow without a WDH after feeling the difference with and without one. You might want to hop on a trailer owner forum for your brand and see what other owners of your actual trailer do. I read a lot about trailing when we first bought a couple years ago and not once did I read anything anywhere from anyone who complained that a WDH had damaged their trailer in any way. My 2 cents.

 

[Aron]

Trailer guy says a WDH on our trailer could bend or twist the trailer's A-Frame.

That seems unlikely, but I suppose is technically possible, depending upon the specifics of the design of both the frame and the WDH. I suppose if you used a WDH intended to work with a tongue weight of like 2000lbs, it's possible that the WDH springs could warp a weaker frame because the WDH vertical twisting action could be too strong. (The simple solution is to use a WDH that is designed for your tongue weight.)

'21 Cherokee Wolf Pup 18TO. CAT Weighed dry weight, 3960#. Wood frame, aluminum side walls. Don't have an exact tongue weight. Manual says 437#, but in reality will probably be closer to 550 to 600#.

I think that this answers your question. If you're expecting the tongue weight to be ~600lbs, and the sticker says that the max tongue weight without a WDH is 500lbs, then you need one.

 

[Tone]

...not once did I read anything anywhere from anyone who complained that a WDH had damaged their trailer in any way. My 2 cents.

That's my understanding also. Thanks.

 

[Tone]

If you're expecting the tongue weight to be ~600lbs, and the sticker says that the max tongue weight without a WDH is 500lbs, then you need one.

Gotcha. Thanks.

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