Reese dual cam HP

[junbe]

Has anyone used the new reese dual cam HP. I use the old dual cam with my
34 ft AS. Do I need an upgrade??

Jack

[jcanavera]

As long as the components are still functioning properly, you should be able to use them on your 34' unit. Just be sure they are rated properly for the hitch weight of the 34'. I changed out of my dual-cam due to the major weight increase of my slide out unit.

Jack

[temcotom]

Has anyone had reservations about drilling into the frame for mounting the New Reese Dual Cam HP?

I am trying to decide between the Reese Strait-Line, and the Equalizer, and I like everything I have read about the Reese, but don't like drilling into the frame.

Thanks,

Tom

[Joe Z]

No problems drilling into the frame - just make sure you measure twice (maybe three times) and drill once. The dual cam HP definitely outperforms the old and new HP is also quieter.

Joe

[overlander64]

Greetings Tom!

Welcome to the Forums!

Has anyone had reservations about drilling into the frame for mounting the New Reese Dual Cam HP?

Yes, I had great reservations about drilling into the frames of my Vintage coaches. When I purchased the Straight-Line Hitch with Dual Cam System for the Overlander in 1995, the bolt-on variety (using "U" bolts) was the only type available. When I purchased my Minuet and decided to go with the Straight-Line hitch for it, I had my choice of the original-style bolt-on or the then new-to-the-market High-Performance model that required frame drilling. I went with the original style Straight-Line Hitch to avoid having to drill any additional holes in the Minuet's frame (there were already holes for a Reese friction sway control. If I had been dealing with a new or later model coach, I would have been more likely to consider the High Performance system. I have been very well satisfied with the original-style Dual Cam systems on both of my coaches.

Kevin

[jcanavera]

The biggest problem with the U-bolt style dual-cam is the fact for some units, the U-bolts may interfere with the gas bottle mounting plate. It did on my '01 Safari and we had to raise the bottles in order for the U-bolts not to rub on the bottom of the bottles. Reese was aware of that for many trailers and developed the HP to deal with that issue.

Jack

[Pahaska]

I much prefer drilling to the U-bolrs to make a permanent installation that looks like it belongs on the trailer. If you drill, use a wood shim to protect some electrical cables on the road side of the A-frame.

[temcotom]

Thanks for the input. I was looking at "The Equalizer" today. I know from many posts that many people are happy with this hitch.

No knock on the hitch, but the quality control on the Equalizer seems questionable.

So, it looks like that Reese for me. If we did not live in such a windy area, I would not be as concerned.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by temcotom

No knock on the hitch, but the quality control on the Equalizer seems questionable.

I used to own a Reese dual-cam but changed out to an Equalizer. I made the change due to the need to move to a heavier hitch due to increased hitch weight with my Classic slide out. My dealer who handles both hitches hadn't installed the HP dual-cam and with the need to drill holes, I didn't want him learning with my new trailer.

I have been out twice and in both cases pulled through heavy cross winds. I have found that the sway control is flawless.

I am curious as to the quality control issues you noted.

Jack

[temcotom]

Hi Jack,

I did not mean to knock the Equalizer. I know it is a fine hitch. The demo I saw had poor quality paint, and even the machining was only fair. Maybe it was just the demo. I found some other mentions of it here on the forum.

Here is a link to one:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...qualizer+paint

I have heard nothing but good things about the performance of the hitch itself. On the other hand, the dealer I visited knew nothing at all, and that probably did not help with the impression.

Tom

[junbe]

I did purchase the new dual cam HP. Also purchased the new complete straight line hitch. Included the HP trunion style weighted hitch and the 600 lb. bars. Has anybody actually weighed their tongue weight and found out for various Airstreams what the tongue weight is?

Jack
WBCCI #16281
VAC member
Classic member

[overlander64]

Greetings Jack!

Has anybody actually weighed their tongue weight and found out for various Airstreams what the tongue weight is?

The factory Empty Hitch Weight is listed at:

Airstream Weights and Measures

To ascertain the actual weights involved, I have had the hitches weighed on both of my coaches:

'64 Overlander International:

Empty Hitch Weight with all Installed Options and Accessories and Full 40 pound Aluminum LP Tanks - other tanks empty: 565 pounds

Hitch Weight with full water tank, full 40 pound Aluminum LP tanks and loaded for extended vacation: 750 pounds.

'78 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre:

Empty Hitch Weight with all Installed Options and Accessories and full 20 pound Aluminum LP Tanks: 440 pounds

Hitch Weight with full water tank, full 20 pound Aluminum LP tanks, and loaded for extended vacation: 550 pounds

With my Reese Straight-Line/Dual Cam system, I use 700 pound bars for the Overlander when towing with the Suburban and 800 pound bars with the Cadillac; while I use 500 pound bars for the Minuet with the Suburban and the 700 pound bars with the Cadillac.

Kevin

[Tarheel]

I had a blowout and removed my spare from the tongue. I didn't put the damaged tire back as I wanted to have the tire replaced. I noticed a difference in how the unit pulled and ended up putting the damaged tire back in its place until I could get it replaced.