A Towing question
 

Seeking the expertise on this forum. I will be towing a 353 formula with a Dodge 3500 (diesel) SRW. The trailer is a relatively new (2009) Venture, standard triple axle. Are Load distribution hitches or anti-sway devices typically used with this sort of setup? Thanks for any help.

10....9.....8.....7.....6.....5....4.....

Mmmm...I'm with you seaford guy.:party-smiley-004:

:party-smiley-004:

I guess I expected something more substantive, perhaps I was too optimistic. I realize this is not the optimal setup (i.e.DRW) but for the minimal towing I will be doing I believe it will work fine combined with the ultra conservative driving approach I will use.

They can be used. I've done it. The biggest question is your braking system before you can adapt your trailer to use a WD hitch.

If you have SURGE braking, the WD hitch system will resrict movement of the hydraulic actuator if not setup properly.

If you have the SURGE braking system, you CANNOT use the 3rd member attachment that is designed to alleviate trailer sway.

If you have a Electric over Hydraulic braking system, you can use a WD hitch setup with no issues.

You will need a Pole Tongue Adapter to mount to the trailer to make the WD hitch bars spread out to the correct 30 degree angle or so.

I've posted some pics of this setup in the past on my previous trailer. I've since stepped up to a trailer that is better engineered, as well as a 'heavier duty truck' and and no longer use the WD setup.

Thanks Brian, very good points to consider. Unfortunately I didn't buy the trailer it came with the boat and only has about a hundred miles on it. It does have surge brakes which would not have been my choice.

-Bill

Upgrade it to EoH brakes! There are a 100 threads on these topics, and I guarantee you that the EoH brake upgrade is the best money you will ever spend in towing.

Search results:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...archid=5566782

My old setup:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...tch-balls.html

Also, you need to look at the exact capacity of the HITCH on your truck. The rating of the truck and the rating of the hitch can and are often different. Sometimes, the hitch will require the WD setup to get to the max capacity of the truck. Ford was famous for doing this in the early 2000s. I don't like ANY factory hitches. Too bad Putnam went out of business, but Curt makes a great hitch.

That made me laugh out loud.....thanks!!!

Some folks say the Equalizer Hitch is a nice setup for boat trailers. I do not have any experience with that setup though. It's a 2 bar system with no chains.

To follow up on EoH, I've towed the exact same boat setup with 2 dozen or so different truck and trailer configurations, including no brakes, Surge Brakes, and EoH brakes. EoH makes a WORLD of difference.