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12-16-2020, 05:07 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2022 25' International
Savage
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 753
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Load Balancing & Sway 2021 Int'l 25' w/2500 HD
I have the best vehicle I have every owned, which is a 2006 Silverado 2500 HD Duramax diesel. If I were towing a 2021 International 25’, is there a need for any load balancing or sway control? I did have a basic Reese system for my previously owned 2000 34’ Excella, and it served me well. But dropping down to a 25’ International, with a whole lot less weight, I’m asking for input if load balancing and sway control is necessary? And if so, what system makes sense, and why?
__________________
"I've got aluminum fever, and the only prescription, is more AIRSTREAM!!!"
'64 Safari Resoration Blog ("May"):
https://ts8501.blogspot.com/
TAC MN-6
WBCCI/VAC 11736
AIR 25979
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12-22-2020, 05:38 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
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It depends on how one interprets your question. When you say "need" do you mean "would the new combination tow better with load balancing (I assume this to be Weight Distribution) and Sway Control?" The answer is yes it would tow nicer, and be more comfortable and perform better. Would it be safer and more stable? Yes, slightly more so and this would be important in unusual winds, if a Semi happens to pass you much too closely, or if you happen to let your speed get away from you, particularly going down grade on a sharp corner. If you are careful, never exceed safe limits and never have to react suddenly jerk the wheel too far, you will likely never have a major incident where either sway or WD will make the difference.
Tell me a bit more about your driving style and desire for a nice comfortable ride, and degree of steering correction you are willing to tolerate as you motor down the road and I can answer better. As you can likely tell from my response you don't need either to safely tow this combination for common conditions without significant risk.
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12-22-2020, 09:29 PM
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#3
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Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
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Load Balancing & Sway 2021 Int'l 25' w/2500 HD
With the duramax WD no but sway control yes.
I use a propride on my 2500 with very little tension on my WD bars.
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12-23-2020, 06:38 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,118
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I use a Reese straight line hitch with my 2500 and a 25' that is lighter in weight than your trailer. I do dial in a good bit of weight transfer. The cam design does provide some sway resistance. Maybe an engineer will tell me different but after 12 years pulling with this rig I will might not be listening. What does one actually gain by towing on the ball instead of using a wd hitch?
I do not know if you "need" the hitch or not. But....after going on 13 caravans and checking people out on my check out days I have looked at around 400 serious Airstream tower rigs and I have never seen anybody on a caravan pulling "on the ball". Even the 16 footer. That is more of a discussion for this forum than a real world occurrence.
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12-23-2020, 07:13 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
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Bill, there is not much to be gained by towing without WD and sway control. Nothing to be gained by going without sway damping as it is always an improvement and always safer. Many owners tow travel trailers that are too large, and too close to or over max towing limits. Many of these combinations will be unstable due to oversteer as a result of the trailer inertia and its influence on the too small, too short and too light tow vehicle. Addition of WD to transfer load to the vehicle front will just make this tendency worse. They will tow perfectly under normal circumstances, but if the driver unintentionally lets the trailer get away just a bit and yaw angle gets a bit too large, the combination will oversteer, go out of control and jackknife. Owners should not put themselves in this situation in the first place but if they do, WD tension becomes a disadvantage. The OP is not even close to this situation so some WD will be a benefit by improving steering response and feel and improving front axle cornering ability.
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12-24-2020, 01:16 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2022 25' International
Savage
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 753
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I don't know what I was thinking. Of course I need load balancing and sway control. I've done some research, and I think the Blue Ox SwayPro looks like a winner. I understand my assumed AS dealer sells them or Equalizers. I did look at the ProPride as well, but think that might be overkill. Nothing wrong with overkill, but I like the features of the Blue Ox, with the ease of backing up, and the effort to hook up. I do appreciate the input for sure!
__________________
"I've got aluminum fever, and the only prescription, is more AIRSTREAM!!!"
'64 Safari Resoration Blog ("May"):
https://ts8501.blogspot.com/
TAC MN-6
WBCCI/VAC 11736
AIR 25979
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|
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12-24-2020, 02:22 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
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The Blue Ox is a competent hitch with solid performance that will be adequate for your combination. They also make a new model that is similar to the Husky Center Line and both of those provide more sway damping performance Thant the original Blue Ox.
The Equalizers have stiff bars that combined with the 3/4 ton will be hard on the front of the trailer. Even the Blue Ox Sway Pro is a bit hard on the trailer when tensioned for more sway damping. Curt, Camco EAZ Lift and Reese all sell similar designs that use a friction bar (or two) for sway damping. They are easy on the trailer and perform well. Reese also makes a Straight-Line design which is an improvement over their dual cam model.
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