New single-arm weight distributing hitch

bfk · 07-08-2006, 11:11 PM

Has anyone any experience with the new Light Duty single arm hitch from Reese?

It's rated at up to 4000# and uses a single spring bar. It's shown on Reese's website, but you have to hunt for it; it's also at http://www.drawtite.com/dt3205.html.

It sounds like just the thing for our Bambi, but I'd love to hear from anyone who has used one.

Thanks,
Brian

**azflycaster** · 07-08-2006, 11:47 PM

In the picture the hitch jack has been removed.

I wonder how they work around that. I use the jack on my 2 arm WD hitch to raise the trailer and truck and attach the bars.

TIMEMACHINE · 07-08-2006, 11:50 PM

It sure looks like there would be a clearance problem with the jack. I would check it out. Interesting concept

bfk · 07-09-2006, 12:35 AM

From the Reese website:

"This light duty weight distributing system is especially designed for use with lighter weight trailers and pop-up campers. The center mount single bar is contoured to avoid interference with center mounted jacks. Easy to set up and use. The lift mechanism is designed to prevent interference with gas bottles or battery trays. Works with any 2" receiver.
The integrated lifter bar feature provides the advantage of allowing a single person to operate from one side of the trailer. This system works with both side and center mounted tongue jacks. The sway control platform allows you to put a friction sway control on either side of the trailer."

I haven't seen one, though I'd like to. I'd post the URL for the Reese page, but it seems to be one of those ever-so-clever portals where everything is run from a database and there are no useful URLs. If you go to http://www.reese.com, click on products on the top bar, then weight distribution on the left, then light duty, also on the left. Maybe I'll call the local distributor and see of they have one in stock on Monday.

uwe · 07-09-2006, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

In the picture the hitch jack has been removed.

I wonder how they work around that. I use the jack on my 2 arm WD hitch to raise the trailer and truck and attach the bars.

You won't need to do that with low tongue weight trailers, such that can use this single bar. You can lift by hand, without having to use the electric jack.

COArgosy78 · 07-26-2006, 03:14 PM

Pictured below is what I was talking to one of the Reese customer serv. people about for our trailer. Is this the same as you have mentioned above? I, too, am wondering if anyone is using this type of sway control.

Friction Sway Control

The Friction Sway Control does exactly what its name implies, it uses friction to resist pivotal movement and thereby works against the effects of included sway. It operates on the principle of "stiffening" the coupling between the tow vehicle and trailer. The degree of "stiffening" or friction is adjusted to suit various trailer weights and towing conditions. Its operation is simple and uncomplicated. It doesn't prevent the generation of sway; it simply works to resist the forces once they have started.

R58060
Sway Control Ball

R26660

Installs and removes easily
Removes with two spring locking pins
Heavy construction for added reliability
Friction brake keeps trailer & tow vehicle stable
Quick attachment to trailer frame & ball mount

**Stefrobrts** · 07-26-2006, 03:21 PM

I use that kind of sway control on the Caravel. So far we've never had any sway even in poor conditions, but we have a very long wheelbase tow vehicle as well.

overlander64 · 07-26-2006, 05:14 PM

Greetings Brian!

I too suspect clearance problems with the integrated lifter bar mechanism, but not with the tongue jack; rather my concern would be with the LP tanks. I am not as familiar with the 1960s Bambi as I am with the larger tandem axle Airstreams and first generation Argosys, but with the design of the LP tank mount pushed forward to allow for the spare tire to be mounted against the front wall of the trailer (a typical design feature of the early 1960s era Airstreams as well as the first generation Argosy trailers) could place the LP tanks in conflict with the lever arm mechanism (if the original LP tank mount hasn't been modified). One way to determine this would be to check the installation instructions (usually linked to on the Reese site) which should give the measurements for mounting the integrated lifter bar mechanism, and compare those measurements to the geometry of the hitch on your Vintage Bambi.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

overlander64 · 07-26-2006, 05:25 PM

Greetings Leigh!

Quote:

Originally Posted by COArgosy78

Pictured below is what I was talking to one of the Reese customer serv. people about for our trailer. Is this the same as you have mentioned above? I, too, am wondering if anyone is using this type of sway control.

Friction Sway Control

I too have utilized the friction sway control in the past, but am not a fan of the technology. The manufactures instrcutions call for adjustments to be made whenever road conditions change -- tighten for high winds/heavy semi truck traffic -- loosen for rain/slick pavement conditions. It was frustrating to have to find safe places to pull off to make the needed adjustments -- with my coach, it was always evident very shortly if the conditions changed and these adjustments weren't made. It is also highly recommended that the sway bar be removed before backing in tight locations -- I bent one of these bars just trying to park my coach in a typical campground before learning that lesson.

Granted, the Reese Dual Cam system is about twice as much as the friction sway control, but once the weight distribution bars have been properly matched to the trailer/tow vehicle combination and the initial installation has been done according to instructions no further adjustments are required until either the tow vehicle is changed or there is a significant change in the way the coach is packed. I immediately switched my Minuet 6.0 Metre to the Dual Cam system when the Reese factory verified that the primary requirement for an effective setup with the Reese Dual Cam system is a trailer with a hitch weight of at least 400 pounds (my Minuet usually carries about 525 pounds on the hitch -- depending somewhat on the amount of water in the fresh water tanks).

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

ALANSD · 07-27-2006, 07:45 PM

ok maybe this is the right thread to post these questions....

I have the older dual cam set up with the stirrups and such on the tongue of my 78. I have no bars, and a kind member here has offered me his set which is not in use.
Neither one of us is sure thought that I will have all the parts I need to run with this, and since the shipping will be pretty high...can anyone tell me what I will need?

He has the 750lb bars, and some odd other parts.

I have the pictured set up...maybe someone with the same set up can explain?

(the blue arrow was from a post about the flag holder)

ALANSD · 07-27-2006, 07:48 PM

missed this photo....

Anon · 07-27-2006, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COArgosy78

Pictured below is what I was talking to one of the Reese customer serv. people about for our trailer. Is this the same as you have mentioned above? I, too, am wondering if anyone is using this type of sway control.

I would NEVER tow without the friction sway control or my WD bars. The semi-rigid connection that both of them supply gives me better control of my van and trailer. Plus the WD bars distribute the weight to the front of the van. This is what makes it all nice and snug; like one big vehicle going down the road.

uwe · 07-27-2006, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALANSD

ok maybe this is the right thread to post these questions....

I have the older dual cam set up with the stirrups and such on the tongue of my 78. I have no bars, and a kind member here has offered me his set which is not in use.
Neither one of us is sure thought that I will have all the parts I need to run with this, and since the shipping will be pretty high...can anyone tell me what I will need?

He has the 750lb bars, and some odd other parts.

I have the pictured set up...maybe someone with the same set up can explain?

(the blue arrow was from a post about the flag holder)

Looks like all you need are the straight WD bars with the cams at the ends. For your size trailer, 750lb bars might be just the ticket.
What are you towing with? If your tow vehicle is very heavy duty, then lighter bars might give you more sway control.
I found that the friction type sway control was terrible for my application, while I used it. It put restriction to the bend, but unfortunately both ways, slowed down starightening out of the rig as well. I ended up shelving it, and my rig felt much better afterwards. ( Suburban 1500 towing a 1971 TradeWind)

ALANSD · 07-28-2006, 06:09 AM

the member that has the bars says he thought he was mising the small bar that connects to the little ball on the hitch. So what does that do anyway?
Do I need it if I have the two long bars.
It would help if I actually saw one of these in use up close, but the photos I have seen don't quite explain to my thick head how it sets up.