New From NE Ohio!

[gerry]

I am about to pick up my new Axxess 8.5x22 toy hauler!  I have a new Ram 1500 with a diesel engine....and should have no issues towing it, even with one or two bikes on board........the truck has air suspension....so I am going to try it without a wd hitch......

[david]

Up to about 500 lbs tongue weight you should be fine with out a WD hitch. Beyond that I would consider one.

How do you like the new diesel? It is a 3 liter VM Motori diesel isn't it, like the one being delivered with the Grand Charokee?

David

[gerry]

love the truck and the diesel......especially when I can get 28+ mpg on the road.....in a half ton truck.....that is wild!!

I do have the air suspension, which will level the truck with a load........

[leslie]

Welcome epiphysis! I am fascinated by your nickname. Bony or brainy?

[david]

Your air suspension will level the TV, but won't do anything about shifting weight forward to balance axle loadings. That is what a WD is for.

If you want to be anal about it, weigh your truck with people and gear and then add your tongue weight. It should be less than the manufacturer's GVWR for the truck. Then do the same for the rear axle. Weigh it and add the tongue weight. It should be less than the rear axle rating of the TV. Even if it is within all of those specs, a WD will make it tow easier, with less sway and be safer, particularly if the rear axle loading is approaching the manufacturer's spec.

I am guessing that anything over 500 lbs of tongue weight will be worth it. Some have reported tongue weights of 575 lbs for the 21' Camplites.

David

[gerry]

[quote source="/post/4067/thread" timestamp="1412542253" author="@leslie"]Welcome epiphysis! I am fascinated by your nickname. Bony or brainy?[/quote]boney.......it's the name I gave to my sailboat 24 years ago......it's the part of the growth plate from which new growth comes.....and the sailboat is my first one!  a new beginning!  I'm now a retired Orthopaedic Surgeon. 

[gerry]

[quote source="/post/4068/thread" timestamp="1412545602" author="@david"]Your air suspension will level the TV, but won't do anything about shifting weight forward to balance axle loadings. That is what a WD is for.

If you want to be anal about it, weigh your truck with people and gear and then add your tongue weight. It should be less than the manufacturer's GVWR for the truck. Then do the same for the rear axle. Weigh it and add the tongue weight. It should be less than the rear axle rating of the TV. Even if it is within all of those specs, a WD will make it tow easier, with less sway and be safer, particularly if the rear axle loading is approaching the manufacturer's spec.

I am guessing that anything over 500 lbs of tongue weight will be worth it. Some have reported tongue weights of 575 lbs for the 21' Camplites.

David[/quote]hmmmmmm....the dealer does not think I need a wd hitch.....I can try without and get one if I think I need it.......

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/4074/thread" timestamp="1412565536" author="@epiphysis18"][quote source="/post/4068/thread" timestamp="1412545602" author="@david"][/quote]hmmmmmm....the dealer does not think I need a wd hitch.....I can try without and get one if I think I need it.......
[/quote][font size="3"]"He who counsels with dealers rather than experienced users does so at his own risk"......anon
[/font]

[djsamuel]

In this case, it may be worth a try. I tow my 21BHS with a Ram 1500 WITHOUT the air bags. It tows fine without a weight distribution hitch, and I only use the Andersen hitch for sway control if needed, and bounce attenuation. I think he may get a more comfortable tow with a suitable hitch, but even though the tongue weight of the toy hauler would be heavier than the 21BHS, he may do fine with the air bags and without the hitch. The key would be to have a cautious first tow, noting things that don't feel right or cause some concern. No need to white knuckly it if it can be easily corrected. While I've towed my 21BHS without a weight distribution hitch several times, I much prefer the security of the Andersen hitch for sway and bounce control, especially in high cross winds or rough interstates such as Louisiana.

ALOT will depend on how it is loaded.  I see that the Axxess 8.5x24 Toy Hauler has a GVWR of 10,000 pounds, so if it is fully loaded, that could result in a significant tongue weight (1200 pounds or so).  I didn't see the 8.5x22 on the LivinLite web site. 

[gerry]

see.....many opinions....I have read on other sites about wd hitch.....some have said that with the all aluminum frame, a wd hitch could be an issue.....there is another trailer, exactly like mine with a wd hitch .......so I will see....the ride home will be about 90 miles....some back road, some highway....I will see how it handles and try to decide.....getting it this week or next....thanks, everyone for your thoughts!  

[shovelhead]

Welcome from North GA. X-PA Yinzer

Dave
21RBS
RAM 1500/HEMI