A poll on WDH w/sway control - R-pod Owners Forum

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TheBum

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Joined: 26 Feb 2016
Location: Texas
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Topic: A poll on WDH w/sway control
Posted: 26 Feb 2018 at 11:51pm

Your WDH rating shouldn’t significantly exceed your tow rating or else you may put too much stress on the frame of the TV. This is especially true if your TV is unibody, such as the Highlander we tow with. BTW, we also use the E2; we originally had an Eaz-Lift with the chains on the bars and a separate sway bar, but it was more difficult to get set just right.

Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4
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Posted: 26 Feb 2018 at 5:08pm

+1 to both of the above comments. The Fastway E2 600/6000 is a crowd favorite among the group, for good reason - it is attractively priced and it works.

May I suggest installing it yourself (should you purchase)? If one is handy with tools, it really isn't that hard. I think I could bolt everything together in about 30 minutes.

What is time consuming and critical is in getting it (or any WD system) set up correctly. I'm not sure how many dealers take the time to do this right. The provided instructions are good and will get you through it. Should you have questions, there are many here who would help.

There are 2 versions - a round bar and a trunion. As best I can tell, there is no difference in performance. The trunion provides a little more ground clearance, if you need it (but costs a little more). I have the round bar.

lostagain

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Posted: 26 Feb 2018 at 2:36pm

We use the Fastway E2 and have been very happy with it. I can't compare it to other WDH's because I haven't used them. The E2 is easy to install into the receiver, the torsion bars are easy to put on [use the tongue jack to install, not the cheater bar for both installation and removal].

I had my trailer all hooked up for a trip but had to cancel it due to the west coast finally getting some winter weather. I unhooked everything but the hitch from the receiver on the truck in less than 10 minutes, including putting down the rear and front stabilizers, etc. To set it up again will take about the same amount of time.

Our WHD has a 6000# capacity. The ride and control is very good. The truck is balanced, rides flat, and has very good steering control and no swaying even in strong winds. I couldn't be more pleased.

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Fred & Maria Kearney
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Our Pod 172
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GlueGuy

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Posted: 26 Feb 2018 at 12:17pm

Originally posted by ZuBrew

1) Which one do you like best?

I don't know that I have a "favorite". We ended up with the Fastway E2 simply because it was offered by the dealer that sold us our RP-179. It is sized appropriately for the truck/trailer combination.

Originally posted by ZuBrew

2) I know my Rpod has a tongue weight of roughly 300 LBS but I’m assuming that will increase as I load the camper and my total weight is just under 4000 LBS. Is it okay to use a WDH rated for 600/6000?

That's about right. If your Rpod is loaded to ~~ 4000 lbs, you can bet that your tongue weight is likely close to 400 lbs. Our E2 is the "600" model, and it was explained that you need one that is big enough, but not too big. Too big and things get too stiff. Too small, and it won't transfer weight properly.

Originally posted by ZuBrew

3) How difficult is it to connect/disconnect the WDH from the RV?

It's actually fairly easy. It only takes me a few minutes. It helps if you have a nice level spot when you hitch up. When the Rpod is on the pad in front of our garage, it's not level. So I just hook up the trailer w/o the WDH, and pull it about a 100' down our driveway where we have a nice level spot. I hook it up there, and it's pretty quick; maybe about 5-8 minutes.

bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

ZuBrew

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Joined: 11 Oct 2017
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Posted: 26 Feb 2018 at 11:59am

I’m taking a poll on WDH w/sway control. I didn’t want to reopen the debate on whether you use a WDH but for the people that do use these, I have a few questions;

1) Which one do you like best?

2) I know my Rpod has a tongue weight of roughly 300 LBS but I’m assuming that will increase as I load the camper and my total weight is just under 4000 LBS. Is it okay to use a WDH rated for 600/6000?

3) How difficult is it to connect/disconnect the WDH from the RV?

I need to purchase one soon and I’d like to get your opinions. Thanks for your help.

2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 4X4
2018 R-Pod 189
2013 Yamaha FJR 1300A