Anyone tow with just the ball?

[gwg]

Just using a ball also. 30' Classic / 2014 Ram 3500 Cummins Diesel

[Stefrobrts]

We towed the Caravel for many years on the ball, but used a friction sway control as well. We didn't feel weight distribution was needed on our E150 van, as the tongue weight was so low (about 250#). It towed great.

When we switched to the Flex you could see how much the rear went down with the tongue weight on it, so we added WD. Whatever it takes to get everything nice and level.

[paiceman]

Originally Posted by urnmor

It is like insurance you don't need it until you do.

Totally agree. Run a one ton F350 Diesel, could easily do without equalizer, but don't.

[CDONA]

I towed naked ball until I sold the freightliner, didn't need WD or SC. Truck weighed 11,500 #'s, EB @ 7,800 #'s, pix in my gallery.
I didn't want to spend for two WD hitch setups unless I needed it.
My newer downsized truck I bought a Blue ox setup before I rolled again.

[cwf]

There are infinite possibilities, permutations and variables encountered in the real world.

The recommendations for "WD"(weight distribution), sway control/ elimination, braking, tires, loading, weighing, etc.. Are nearly as diverse.

As an example, a "screen door" is a marvelous invention!.. But it really is a poor APPLICATION to install one on a submarine. Same with a diesel vs gas vs dually vs Smart car comparison and their APPLICATION. Where I have towed 10,000 pounds with a 1971, 6 cylinder, manual transmission Chevy Chevelle, And survived without trashing the car,(but the clutch, brakes and rear axle complained), trailer or people, I have realized that was NOT a good thing to do.

So, now my TV (design specs) more closely match the work I do with it. Better brakes, drivetrain, suspension and anti-sway WD hitch. (Side note: My "towing experience" has greatly improved. )

As mentioned above, it is your "choice"... You don't have to "over compensate" my lack of manliness like I am. But, I FEEL I am safer and less of a threat to others I share the road with.

[Sbb]

I use ball and sway bar only now. Last year I used Reese WD and sway. My 2500 tv was to much for the Bambi, I bent my a-frame almost 2" and had to have it replaced for very big $$$$$. My Tab and teardrop were ball only, but I had a 1500 suburban originally when I purchased the Airstream,which is why I had the Reese.

[Sodbust]

Ball only for me.. Seen more WD hitches set up wrong than right.. I found with ours that it tended to bind up on uneven ground too much. We like to go off road as much as possible and for us it just gets in the way.

Everyone is right,, proper loading of your trailer is important no matter if you pull with the ball or some high dollar hitch system.. Sodbust

[hahnstead]

I towed my '66 Globetrotter on just the ball for about ten years before I picked up a used Reese hitch with weight distribution bars. I haven't noticed much difference, but I feel a little more confident with my setup now. Never had any trouble before or since.

[esloser]

Originally Posted by moosetags

Welcome to the Forums. We're gla to have you with us.

As to your question, the answer is generally no. Unless you have a behemoth of a tow vehicle, weight distribution is very advisable as trailers with the tongue weight of most Airstream travel trailers is such that it will take enough weight from the front wheels of the tow vehicle that the steering will be compromised. This creates a somewhat dangerous towing situation.

Sway control is also a good idea.

Brian

Thanks, I'm finding my way around. Starting to gather some research on 28W's to purchase in the near future.

[UKDUDE]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Whilst some are for sure, that is not always the case. I come from the UK and have owned many 'caravans' over there. Whilst modern alloy framed units are lighter that was driven by fuel prices and all caravans more than 20 years old had the same steel chassis.......not everything is 'biggerer, and betterer' in the US!

Being from the UK too, I'd like to add that I see all kinds of trailers - caravans and commercial - being towed by all kinds of vehicles, and I don't recall ever seeing any type of load balancing/sway control hitches in use. And the UK is very strict on safety.

[esloser]

Wow! This thread received a lot of feedback in short order.

I'm working on my setup now. I have my eye on a 28' international and a 1/2 ton truck to tow it (leaving brand names out for obvious reasons - I'm new to the forum, but can already pick out the 'hot' topic areas). But, I am very detailed oriented when it comes to planning something like this, so I like to make sure I have all of the facts before jumping into a TV that is too small or a TT that is too big.

[moeller78]

We tow our 32' 88 Excella on just the ball with our GMC Sierra 3500 HD 4WD diesel on the East Coast without issues thus far. Hubby believes we don't need a WD hitch. I'm going to push for one before we start full-timing just for the safety factor.

[cwf]

Originally Posted by moeller78

We tow our 32' 88 Excella on just the ball with our GMC Sierra 3500 HD 4WD diesel on the East Coast without issues thus far. Hubby believes we don't need a WD hitch. I'm going to push for one before we start full-timing just for the safety factor.

I do not think y'all need WD! Sway control might be nice....

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by UKDUDE

Being from the UK too, I'd like to add that I see all kinds of trailers - caravans and commercial - being towed by all kinds of vehicles, and I don't recall ever seeing any type of load balancing/sway control hitches in use. And the UK is very strict on safety.

Fully agree, the closest I have seen/used would be one of the Bulldog type anti-snake bars, that simply put some additional load/friction on the ball/receiver without extra weight.

200Q Stabiliser - Bulldog Security Productss

[AWCHIEF]

I picked up my trailer last June. Had a 1400 mile drive home with a non functional old piece of crap WD system. White knuckle most of the way. Now the only time I tow on just the ball is for short (5-10 miles) trips to have work done.

[WhitehouseT]

I have been towing my 77-23' Safari for many years on just the ball. No problem at all. My truck is a 2006, 1500 Chevy Silverado with a Reese hitch. When we had our old Jayco 23B I had to use the stabilizer bars and sway control. Then hold on for dear life if it got windy or I got passed by a semi.

[davidlparker]

Originally Posted by esloser

I see a lot of threads on here about weight distribution and sway control hitches, but does anyone tow with just the standard hitch and ball?

I have a 1969 Sovereign (31') and tow it with my 1989 Dodge D350. I use a Class IV hitch and ball only and have no problems. Even semi tractors and trailers do not cause any unwanted sway. I recognize that my truck is heavy and a dually and that a ball and standard hitch might not work for lighter tow vehicles.

[Stefrobrts]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Fully agree, the closest I have seen/used would be one of the Bulldog type anti-snake bars, that simply put some additional load/friction on the ball/receiver without extra weight.

200Q Stabiliser - Bulldog Security Productss

This looks like a form of friction sway control.

So is 'snake' the euro term for 'sway'?

[scamp]

I tow on the ball only, I think all situations are different how we drive were we drive ,what tow vehicle we have , wheelbase,what suspension, tires sidewall stiffness,load range of tires,what we carry in tow vehicle and we're the load is distributed, how we load our trailer ,and we're the load is distributed in the trailer, remember if you put more weight on the ball your removing the weight off the steering axle, in my case the maximum tounge weight I have is 350 lbs so for my tow vehicle it's not a problem . Since the majority of airstreams are 25 feet and more ,and tounge weight of 500lbs and more,most will use a weight distribution system .

Don

[m.hony]

If you have a 1/2 ton or 3/4 pickup you most likely need weight distribution and sway control. A 1 ton dual rear wheel pickup may not need it. The 1 ton suspension is the weight distribution, and the dual rear wheels is the sway control. Even still I see owners of 1 ton dual rear wheel trucks using weight distribution and sway control. I also see people towing a 32' travel trailer with a Chevy S-10 and no weight distribution and sway control and P-rated tires low on air. "I only gotta go 12 miles." they say...