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12-29-2018, 07:42 AM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
Ponte Vedra
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 19
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Towing on just the ball-alternate title we didn't die
This is nothing more than an observation, not attempting to create arguments. Certainly I am aware of the large amount of commentary (on line) regarding towing without your anti-sway hitch fully engaged. Following is my experience the other day.
I had an occasion to pull for about 30 miles prior to connecting the bars on my Blue Ox hitch, and well, we didn't die, nor did we have any white knuckle moments.
The scenario: Hwy 231 south from Dothan to the Loves at the I 10 intersection, crosswind of approx 15 mph, about half full tanks on a 31 classic (2018) and a 2017 f350 dually. 55 to 68 mph and not really any discernible increased wag or sway on the trailer in rear view mirror. We passed a vehicle or two and were passed by more than one vehicle (no semi).
The only noticed difference was when leaving the camp site, the speed bumps in the park felt more significant in both the truck and when the trailer passed over them.
As a side note we saw 10 other Airstreams as we drove from Dothan to Jacksonville-that is most we have ever seen in a whole trip let alone one day!
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12-29-2018, 09:41 AM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
2019 22' Sport
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 303
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I had the same experince when I towed my new 22 sport from Salt Lake City Utah to missoula Montana. No sway no problems. I was passed and also passed semi trucks and travelled over several mountain passes on the ball. I am thinking it’s tow vehicle dependent and I also had almost equal weight on both of the tow vehicles axles.
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12-29-2018, 09:55 AM
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#3
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,165
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Towing with or without a properly set up WD system is not that important.
Until it is, of course.
Pat
__________________
--------------------------------------
Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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12-29-2018, 10:06 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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When my Airstream was new to me I made a couple of 2,000 mile round trips on the ball with my half ton, it was cool until I went over about 62 mph.
Since it’s not possible for me to drive under 62 mph I bought a Hensley.
The deciding moment on all of that for me was when three lanes of 1-20 south of Dallas had to exit left. I was flanked by semi trucks on either side on a slight downhill grade...... that’s when she started swaying....
Anyway, after arriving safely home that evening I put the winning bid on a Hensley.
I have a problem being in a position where I have to block traffic because of equipment limitations, Mr. Hensley made that a non issue.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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12-29-2018, 10:32 AM
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#5
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmclemore
Towing with or without a properly set up WD system is not that important.
Until it is, of course.
Pat
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PLUS...when the time does occur, what will your Family say about your not wanting to spend a little more to set up the $$$$ Airstream properly.
Bob
🇺🇸
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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12-29-2018, 10:40 AM
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#6
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Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
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Well you have a Dually with 5,000 lbs on the rear axle with a lot of tread on the road. It would take a lot of sway for that vehicle to break traction on the rear end
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12-29-2018, 02:08 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
2016 30' International
Florence
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 493
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wulfraat
Well you have a Dually with 5,000 lbs on the rear axle with a lot of tread on the road. It would take a lot of sway for that vehicle to break traction on the rear end
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^^^^This! Sure WD is “nice to have” but totally unnecessary when your TV is rated for a payload 3 times higher than the weight of an airstream.
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12-29-2018, 03:12 PM
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#8
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Yep...for sure, no need for anti sway or wd.
Your'e AS is swaying like a drunk and you won't even notice.😂
Bob
🇺🇸
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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12-29-2018, 05:54 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Until it rolls both vehicles...
I’d rather not do the paperwork or have to explain to my DW why I scuffed HER precious shiny pickup truck. Never mind the insurance adjuster...DW is much, much more dangerous...
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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12-29-2018, 07:02 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wulfraat
Well you have a Dually with 5,000 lbs on the rear axle with a lot of tread on the road. It would take a lot of sway for that vehicle to break traction on the rear end
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When a trailer sways out of control it doesn’t really care what’s hooked to the front of it....
#Justsayin
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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12-30-2018, 06:29 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2018 28' International
Fayetteville
, Georgia
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 825
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I will tow my 28 Serenity home from the storage lot on the ball, with no spring bars. It’s only a few miles, and less than 40 mph. Tows fine, but you can feel the difference over speed bumps. My F250 diesel can handle it, but it tows much better with the WD/sway connected.
__________________
brick
2018 International Serenity
Cute wife...
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12-30-2018, 08:49 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,406
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There are lots, perhaps infinite variables to aviation, marine, automotive activity. “Post-mortems “ in commercial activities have usually been well investigated. Private aviation or marine accidents which will involve litigation will be more deeply investigated. Somewhat the same with automotive.
With motorcycles there was the “HURT” investigation and causal analysis of thousands of motorcycle accidents. That study has not been repeated but many of the recommendations have been implemented by rider education.
Some work has been done for RV incidents. While there are recommendations for RV use, there are no significant licensing requirements.. just hitch and go without much oversight, review and remedy.
My experience in aviation, marine, motorcycles, automotive translates to RV in many ways. This translates to towing with and without WD and poor setup, gear, loading...
So I don’t think your example is comparative with many of the rigs out here. You have plenty of truck for the application.
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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12-30-2018, 08:54 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1976 31' Sovereign
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshjack
^^^^This! Sure WD is “nice to have” but totally unnecessary when your TV is rated for a payload 3 times higher than the weight of an airstream.
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A little misconception w/this theory trailer almost sways then tv will start to sway when trailer becomes unstable, then hopefully you are able to save w/out accident. wdh w/sway control less money than loss of AS maybe your life or some one else besides monetary cost plus AS. I don't like these kinds of odds. I have followed trailers being del. from various manf. towed only on ball and sway looks like a hula dancer.
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12-30-2018, 09:21 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2017 19' International
Tallahassee
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 938
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W-D bars alone?
I've towed without a W-D hitch (but did have one of the friction sway moderators attached) and with a W-D hitch, with the same friction device.
I've been sway-free, both ways, with just a little wiggle when a semi flies by. Trailer definitely feels "more attached," though, with the W-D hitch hooked up.
One question: Do the W-D bars alone help control sway? Or is the friction thing doing all that work?
I'm using a Pro Series hitch, an inexpensive knockoff, I'm guessing, of some well-known brand.
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12-30-2018, 09:40 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1996 34' Excella
Elberta
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WhereStream
I've towed without a W-D hitch (but did have one of the friction sway moderators attached) and with a W-D hitch, with the same friction device.
I've been sway-free, both ways, with just a little wiggle when a semi flies by. Trailer definitely feels "more attached," though, with the W-D hitch hooked up.
One question: Do the W-D bars alone help control sway? Or is the friction thing doing all that work?
I'm using a Pro Series hitch, an inexpensive knockoff, I'm guessing, of some well-known brand.
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W-D bars by themselves offer little, if any, sway control...they are exactly as they are described (Weight Distributing). The Reese Dual Cam, and it's newer version, (Straight Line) and others similar to it, do offer sway control. Then you have the ProPride and others who have a different pivot point..(which is another arguement in other threads).
Research and towing experience will answer these questions much better...
Larry C
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12-30-2018, 10:29 AM
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#16
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,165
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A proper set-up provides a little forgiveness. Forgiveness when you crest a hill a little faster than you should have, and have to perform a maneuver such as quick braking and turning while heading downhill.
Or avoiding a road alligator that the vehicle in front of you concealed.
Of course, if you always tow on the straight and narrow, and never will be caught with your attention wandering, then you won't need to worry about proper setup.
Pat
__________________
--------------------------------------
Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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12-30-2018, 10:41 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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As we age, our reaction time increases. WD and sway control help compensate for slow reactions by reducing the need to react quickly and properly to the start of a sway event. Proper setup and equipment increases overall safety.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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12-30-2018, 11:01 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1976 31' Sovereign
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,017
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The only wdh w/sway control I have ever used since 1967 is Reese dual cam since Reese started manf. [old stye]. when going around sharp curves at speed will make a little resistance trying to trait line AS. My flat bed impl.trailers that hauls skid steer back hoe etc. on ball if not loaded exact will sway at higher speeds no fun. Some times boat will sway also.
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12-30-2018, 05:53 PM
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#19
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3 Rivet Member
Tifton
, Georgia
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 148
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Using a WD hitch if sort of like brakes. Overrated until you need them.
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12-30-2018, 07:47 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1991 25' Excella
2011 19' Flying Cloud
Santa Ynez
, California
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,185
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OP is lucky to have survived his short trip, and without killing others on the road. LOL
Any responders here ever tow with a 1 ton dually?
__________________
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Will Rogers
Alan
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