weight distribution hitch

[russellsue]

I have a 1969 23 foot safari I have installed a friction sway bar I have towed the trailer several hundred miles at highway speed with no priblems at all. My larger campers 27 and 26 foot had weight distribution set ups, but the weight on these was in the excess of 5000lbs. Do I really need one on the safari?

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by russellsue

I have a 1969 23 foot safari I have installed a friction sway bar I have towed the trailer several hundred miles at highway speed with no priblems at all. My larger campers 27 and 26 foot had weight distribution set ups, but the weight on these was in the excess of 5000lbs. Do I really need one on the safari?

Similar to what a famous Politian once said, it depends on your definition of "really need one".

You obviously can tow the trailer without a WD hitch, because you already have. However, the towing experience is much better with a WD hitch, and the tow vehicle's front axle weight at least retuned to unhitched weight.

In my point of view it's like do you really need steel belted radial tires on your vehicle, when for years we got by with bias ply tires?

Then there's a safety issue to consider. Weight on the front axle of the tow vehicle translates to traction, and since the front axle is the primary braking axle, and only steering axle, don't you think you really need for it to have good traction? If you tow enough in various conditions, a time will come where that front axle traction will be critical for safety reasons.

However, you don't state what you are towing with, and if it's a Peterbuilt............

[HowieE]

What is your tow vehicle?

[russellsue]

2011 Chevy silverado 1500 5.3 ltr

[AldeanFan]

Whats your tongue weight?

The '77 safari has a HUGE tongue weight for that size of trailer 750lbs+

After towing trailers that didn't "need" weight distribution with and without the bars on, I've determined i like the feel of the trailer with the bars on. My car trailer empty only has a 300lb tongue weight. The Tundra is more than capable of carrying 300lbs on the hitch, but when you hit a bump you can feel the trailer make the truck bounce. With the bars on, you don't feel the bounce, the bars make it feel as if you have one long unit.

[HowieE]

If you already have a WD system used on the other trailers you have 75% of the needs for you other trailer. All you need now are the hangers and trailing arms for this trailer.

You can more than likely by these parts on E Bay and install them. Assuming your tongue height is the same for each trailer, and this is all important with Airstreams, you are good to go.

If however the tongue heights are different this is not a practical idea.

[russellsue]

Its a 1969 23 ft safari weight 3800 tongue 420