'68 Sovereign Weight Distribution / Sway Control question

[access.air]

Hello. Just got our new Airstream '68 Sovereign delivered today, directly to the local RV center, and was going to have them install the hitch, sway control & weight distribution systems. We have a 2012 4x4 Dodge Ram 2500 and the dry hitch weight of the Airstream is about 430 lbs. I had been planning on going with the Reese Dual Cam, though they were wanting to put the 1200# bar on as opposed to the 800#. This seemed excessive to me, but I'm totally a newbie and am just trying to figure out how all of these systems even work. Additionally, I have heard positive things about the AirSafe Hitches, and wondered if this is worth the extra cost, and what others' experiences have been with it. Thought I'd turn to this community for any suggestions. I appreciate any advice you might have! Thanks so much in advice.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by access.air

Hello. Just got our new Airstream '68 Sovereign delivered today, directly to the local RV center, and was going to have them install the hitch, sway control & weight distribution systems. We have a 2012 4x4 Dodge Ram 2500 and the dry hitch weight of the Airstream is about 430 lbs. I had been planning on going with the Reese Dual Cam, though they were wanting to put the 1200# bar on as opposed to the 800#. This seemed excessive to me, but I'm totally a newbie and am just trying to figure out how all of these systems even work. Additionally, I have heard positive things about the AirSafe Hitches, and wondered if this is worth the extra cost, and what others' experiences have been with it. Thought I'd turn to this community for any suggestions. I appreciate any advice you might have! Thanks so much in advice.

Having a "tank" for a tow vehicle, requires the lowest rating hitch you can buy.

Go with a Reese dual cam 600 hitch.

Andy

[slowmover]

Best to weigh the combination. In many other threads in this forum are the experiences of others in getting their WD hitch set up properly. Search out the one with CAT SCALE in the thread title. That's a decent primer. I'd guess the TW of your TT might be higher than the published figure, but I'd still use a WD hitch as the "stability" it imparts is worth the small amount of trouble.

[Wazbro]

The reason they want to push the 1200lb bars is that is what they have in stock and the manufacturer claims it will work with any tongue weight up to 1200lb, which is true for most trailers other then Airstreams.

[Airstreamer67]

I wouldn't use the heavy bars. Combined with the heavy tow vehicle, they are a recipe for trailer damage.

About your AirSafe Hitch question, I've been using one since 2006 coast-to-coast, and every advantage cited on their website is TRUE. My trailer's hitch now rides on a cushion of air virtually independent of the harsh treatment otherwise given it by my F250. My trailer loves me for it, and even has forgiven me for the rivet-popping skin-tearing handing I was subjecting it to on rough roads before I got the AirSafe.

[access.air]

Thanks, all, for your suggestions. This has been an overwhelming decision-making process! I have been reading so much different advice and am now potentially considering the ProPride, but having never towed a trailer in my life :/ it's hard to know if it's worth spending that extra money. I'm hoping to buy some time before purchasing the sway control/weight distribution systems as I don't have a big trip coming up any time soon... Would you all say it would be okay to tow a short distance (less than ten miles, surface roads) without WD/sway control until I figure out what exactly I want? Also, as this particular shop that I was going to work with doesn't use a scale to accurately weigh the tongue weight, should I be concerned?

I appreciate your comments on the AirSafe hitch, Airstreamer67. I'm going to look further into this as well.

Thanks again for the helpful suggestions.