Blue Ox - Is it necessary?

[Boxite]

I've noted that most folks who buy expensive equipment are loathe to condemn their decisions, even if they have no proof the equipment did them any good. I believe that might be due to their unwillingness to admit or recognize their mistake.
I've been towing trailers of all types and makes for over 45 years and never found a need for a WD/AS hitch as long as the TV and the trailer were properly matched and loaded. The only jack-knifes and roll-overs I've seen were drivers with poor judgement using WD/AS hitches.

My Ram 1500 (LWB) pulling my 22' Bambi using a standard ball-hitch for thousands of miles (so far) have never given me a bit of trouble even at Interstate speeds in West Texas with winds and 18-wheelers, not even in the I-10 Sonora-Ozona canyon crossings. It follows along like a tame lamb.

I realize this may draw lots of heated criticisms from those owners who believe the WD/AS hitches they've purchased are mandatory but when properly matched with the TV...I don't believe it advantageous one bit (and disadvantageous, especially on rough roads and in some other circumstances.) YMMV.

My advice to new owners: Pull it a few miles on an 18-wheeler-filled interstate to see how it behaves....then decide for yourself. Keep your TV and trailer properly loaded/level and your tires properly inflated and check them before each/every pull-out.

[Tincampers]

What's the tongue weight on that 22' Bambi?

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by Boxite

I've noted that most folks who buy expensive equipment are loathe to condemn their decisions, even if they have no proof the equipment did them any good. I believe that might be due to their unwillingness to admit or recognize their mistake.
I've been towing trailers of all types and makes for over 45 years and never found a need for a WD/AS hitch as long as the TV and the trailer were properly matched and loaded. The only jack-knifes and roll-overs I've seen were drivers with poor judgement using WD/AS hitches.

That reminds me of the argument often made by smokers. "Uncle Ben lived to be 100 and he smoked 20 a day since he was 7."

Anecdotes and data are two very different things. Weight distribution and anti-sway will make your towing experience safer and more relaxing, that's why they have become the standard.

[SeeMore]

My statistics professor in college repeated this phrase endlessly, "correlation does not imply causation," but more than half the class left believing otherwise.

[Rocinante]

Haha, last time I brought up the question of a "statistically significant sample" in this forum I had to carry my head out of the room in a box. Don't go there, wouldn't be prudent, won't end well.

[AWCHIEF]

I have no scientific evidence to back me up all I know is it works. I really do not care if that is good enough for Internet kitchen engineers or not.

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by SeeMore

My statistics professor in college repeated this phrase endlessly, "correlation does not imply causation," but more than half the class left believing otherwise.

I would say that your professor was within one word of being correct.

"correlation does not NECESSARILY imply causation,"


Brevi tempore!

[robinjen]

I've got the Blue Ox system and absolutely love it. Probably overkill but I'm pulling a 22 Sport with a Jeep Grand Cherokee and wanted to be sure weight distribution and sway were accounted for. At the end of the day it all handles great, is easy to use and more than tough enough.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by robinjen

I've got the Blue Ox system and absolutely love it. Probably overkill but I'm pulling a 22 Sport with a Jeep Grand Cherokee and wanted to be sure weight distribution and sway were accounted for. At the end of the day it all handles great, is easy to use and more than tough enough.

You stumbled onto a rather old thread about the Blue Ox SwayPro, but there's no harm in that. I don't think it's even a little bit of overkill for the rig you described, as long as you have the right sized bars on it. I run a heavier-tongued trailer with a heavier-longer tow vehicle and even so, once I got the Blue Ox dialed in I'm very pleased with its performance.

[robinjen]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

You stumbled onto a rather old thread about the Blue Ox SwayPro, but there's no harm in that. I don't think it's even a little bit of overkill for the rig you described, as long as you have the right sized bars on it. I run a heavier-tongued trailer with a heavier-longer tow vehicle and even so, once I got the Blue Ox dialed in I'm very pleased with its performance.

I'm running the 550 lb bars and seems right but I must admit I'm not the most schooled when it comes to towing.